What we’re about

Flourish aims to uncover the key elements in successful, sustainable creative ecosystems.

A flourishing creative and cultural ecosystem can influence and positively impact the well-being of individuals, communities, and the overall quality of life in cities. 

Flourish is a multidisciplinary, collaborative project that surveys and critically re-imagines urban creative and cultural activity. Our research encompasses a broad range of subjects and methods, from ecosystem mapping to urban participatory planning. Although our work is diverse, all our projects share a common goal of promoting a more dynamic and inclusive creative and cultural ecosystem.

Flourishing involves fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to collaborate in generating knowledge and taking action based on it. Traditional research assumes that academics are the only experts. They collect information from participants and decisions about what data is needed and how it should be used are made entirely by academics. Co-research challenges that model, recognising the expertise of non-academics. In a co-researched project participants not only play a role in gathering and using data, but they also work with academics to design the research from the outset.

Our work brings together academics, policy makers, creative practitioners, and local citizens to discuss their experiences of change and continuity. By actively involving different stakeholders, such as artists, cultural practitioners, and local communities, in the research process, we develop a more in-depth understanding of the industry's dynamics, challenges, and opportunities. This collaborative approach not only ensures that our research findings are relevant and meaningful, but can lead to the co-creation of knowledge, strategies and policies that better address the needs and aspirations of stakeholders.

So far, we’ve held online mapping workshops, walking tours, and pop-up events providing opportunities to share knowledge; identify areas in need of targeted support, develop and strengthen creative networks and, importantly, advocate for continued creative activity in urban spaces.

We know that many practitioners and creatives have been doing this type of collaborative work for a long time! This is still not the standard way of doing things in universities and it is sometimes challenging within the structures of a university to do this kind of work. We know it will not be perfect. We really hope to create a space where people feel able to speak up but also appreciate this can be difficult – feel free to contact any one of the team if there is something you would like to discuss.

You can read more about our work by clicking on the images below: