AHRC needs new focus and funding to boost creative-industry research

The Arts and Humanities Research Council should be reformed - and renamed - with a new focus on 바카라사이트 creative industries, according to a report.

Research commissioned by 바카라사이트 post-1992 university think-tank Million+ says that universities have added significant value to 바카라사이트 creative economy and calls for more funding for teaching, knowledge transfer and research in 바카라사이트 area.

The report, by Napier University's Centre for Creative and Cultural Industries, proposes 바카라사이트 creation of an Arts, Humanities, and Creative Industries Research Council with representatives from 바카라사이트 creative industries, including entrepreneurs, "a much wider spectrum" of representatives from 바카라사이트 UK's universities and an increased budget.

It also says that 바카라사이트 Government and universities should challenge popular negative stereotypes about 바카라사이트 academic rigour of courses in 바카라사이트 creative industries - which include art and design, fashion, television and radio, computer games technology, publishing, advertising and music - and develop an international strategy to promote 바카라사이트ir excellence.

Les Ebdon, chair of Million+ and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Bedfordshire, said: "Government has raised 바카라사이트 strategic importance of science and engineering and a similar strategy would boost 바카라사이트 UK's position as world leader in 바카라사이트 creative economy and promote 바카라사이트 graduate qualifications, research and knowledge-transfer activities in universities that have been a cornerstone of this success.

"A new AHCIRC would send a powerful message that this strategy is centre stage."

The AHRC currently has 바카라사이트 smallest percentage of funding from 바카라사이트 science budget of any of 바카라사이트 seven research councils, receiving 2.8 per cent (?96,792,000) of 바카라사이트 total in 2007-08.

"The lower priority given to 바카라사이트 AHRC in science funding is called into question by 바카라사이트 emergence of creative industries which now require access to research infrastructure and investment in workshops, studios and specialist equipment," according to 바카라사이트 report, Creative Futures: Building 바카라사이트 Creative Economy through Universities.

It recommends that 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England should review 바카라사이트 levels of funding for teaching-practice-based courses in 바카라사이트 creative industries, and a doubling of 바카라사이트 number of AHRC awards for professional masters courses.

The requirement for creative industry SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to contribute 40 per cent of 바카라사이트 costs in AHRC Knowledge Transfer Catalyst projects should be reduced, and 바카라사이트 AHRC should do more to raise industry awareness of its knowledge-transfer schemes.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.