The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is calling upon the county’s businesses to help shape a new initiative, which will explore how collaborations between creative disciplines can improve service delivery and enhance work within communities.
The Creative Innovation Zone is being launched by the University’s Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries in spring 2018.
It will take on an innovative approach to providing solutions to cross sectoral challenges, whether related to product, service or delivery, utilising the University’s specialist expertise.
Lancashire businesses are now being asked to complete a survey, the results of which will be used to shape the new zone.
The survey can be completed by visiting https://websurveys.uclan.ac.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=151153500091 and responses must be received no later than Monday 15 January 2018.
As part of the development of the Creative Innovation Zone, an event held at The Harris Museum showcased the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries’ creative and innovative cross disciplinary work, while providing an opportunity for UCLan staff members and guests to discuss ideas and projects for potential partnerships.
Attendees heard from two key speakers, social documentary photographer Ian Beesley, Reader Practitioner for Visual Representation at UCLan, and Professor John Wright, a clinical epidemiologist, Director of the Bradford Institute for Health Research and Clinical Director for the Yorkshire and Humberside Improvement Academy.
The Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries is made up of the School of Art, Design and Fashion, the School of Journalism, Media and Performance, the School of Language and Global Studies, the Lancashire Law School and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
In 2016, it was awarded the Times Higher Education award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts.
Emma Speed, Creative Industries Innovation Manager at the Faculty of Culture and Creative Industries, said: “The event highlighted the potential of the Creative Innovation Zone, which is a concept exemplifying the unique approach we are taking at UCLan, to work closely with different sectors to overcome challenges through innovation.
“Whether it is a product, service or delivery challenge, utilising our expertise in areas like animation, games design, virtual reality and media and music production, could help businesses rise to it.
“We’re now asking Lancashire SMEs to spare a short amount of time to complete the survey and help us shape the zone, so we can ensure it meets the needs of the region’s businesses.”
