Createch and Creative Industries: Networking and Knowledge Exchange for Sustainability

10.00-11.30 BST (11.00 – 12.30 CET) 
24th July 2024
Online via Zoom

Webinar Video Recording

Organised by: The Centre for Sustainable Design® at UCA

Environmental and social sustainability issues related to the use of technology in the Creative Industries is increasingly creating newspaper headlines. For example, the fashion industry is recognised as a major contributor to CO2 emissions, and the impact of new technologies in film, TV and music such as generative AI is already significant (and growing). At the same time, the ability of the sector to respond to these challenges is fragmented and of variable quality.

The latest research from The Centre for Sustainable Design ® (CfSD) indicates that despite networking and knowledge exchange practices being established enablers of improvement in sustainability in other sectors, there are gaps in the support systems in the Createch, and the Creative Industries and Cultural Sector (“the sector”):

• Networks where professionals share sustainability challenges and solutions. For example, there are hundreds of networks in the creative industries, but whilst sustainability is highlighted in many sub-sectors e.g. architecture, very few have a focus on sustainability across multiple creative industries sub-sectors
• Processes, platforms and forums where leaders can exchange sustainability best practices, ideas and experiences, and build collaborations leading to innovative solutions. Again, there is little research on the effectiveness of sharing knowledge and learnings within and outside sector.

In this webinar, Professor Martin Charter and Dr Trevor Davis will share the results from a recent global survey of attitudes to networking and knowledge exchange in the sector, and from the Createch: Peer to Peer Networking (P2P) and Knowledge Exchange project. The research aims to address the gaps identified above, with the specific objectives to:

• Assess Networking Needs: Gauge the current state of networking within the sector, including motivations, challenges, and desired outcomes from networking activities
• Identify Knowledge Gaps: Understand the specific areas within environmental and social sustainability where professionals in the sector experience knowledge deficits.
• Evaluate Existing Resources: Collect feedback on the effectiveness of current networking and knowledge exchange formats and resources, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
• Inform Future Initiatives: Gather insights and suggestions on how to enhance sustainability knowledge exchange and networking opportunities.

Target audience

The webinar is focused on leaders within the sector, and those that support networking and knowledge exchange in the sector (i.e., from academia, consultancy and the public sector). 

Event objectives

The objectives are to:

1. Present the findings of the latest CfSD survey and supporting research.
2. Share strategies and resources for effective networking within the sector.
3. Highlight potential strategies and resources that address sustainability knowledge gaps identified within the sector.
4. Solicit input about how to enhance knowledge exchange and networking opportunities for sustainability within the sector.
5. Identify actions to improve knowledge exchange and networking and hence sustainability in the sector.

Agenda

The webinar is co-chaired by:

Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design (®), Business School for the Creative Industries, University for the Creative Arts (UCA)

Trevor Davis, Managing Director, Trevor Davis & Associates Ltd

10.00 Welcome

Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design ®, UCA

10.10 Background to the survey and research

Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design ®, UCA

10:20 Key findings and observations

Trevor Davis, Managing Director, Trevor Davis & Associates Ltd

Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design ®, UCA

11:00 Discussion: acting on the findings

Moderated by Professor Martin Charter & Trevor Davis

11.20 Summary

Professor Martin Charter, Director, The Centre for Sustainable Design ®, UCA

11.30 Close

** The programme may be subject to change

Registration

The event is free of charge but please email your name, affiliation, and position to Ros on rcarruthers@uca.ac.uk to register.

Further information

For more information contact:
Ros Carruthers
The Centre for Sustainable Design ®
Business School for the Creative Industries 
UCA
+44 (0) 1252 892772

Funding

Createch P2P and KE projects are funded by UKRI via University for the Creative Arts, AHRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA).