Welcome to our Research Network Website

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the role that cultural and creative industries play in developing economies - both in terms of their economic contribution but also in connection with social change and cultural engagement (UNESCO, 2013). To contribute to this field and to support related policy agendas, the research network will connect and mobilise different communities, including academics, practitioners in the creative/cultural sector and cultural and creative policy bodies. The aim will be to develop a better understanding of the creative economies in emerging African countries and to explore strategies to encourage and enable sustainable context-specific cultural, social and economic development.

Structure & Activities

The network will provide a platform for a range of international and interdisciplinary academics working in this area of research, practitioners across a range of creative fields, as well as policy and networks bodies to reflect on their work and practice in relation to creative economies in Africa. The research network will establish three creative hubs (Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa). In year one a series of local workshops will be organised and in year two each hub will host an academic
seminar focusing on 3 interrelated topics:
-'Creative Education and Careers' (hosted by the Nigeria Creative Hub in Lagos)
-'Mapping Creative Economies: frameworks, data sources and policies' (hosted by the South African Creative Hub in Port Elizabeth)
-'Sustainable Cultural Production Networks'(hosted by the Kenya Creative Hub in Nairobi)
These events will generate benefits for African and international academics, African universities, creative practitioners in a range of local African contexts and African and non-African policy makers.