Creative industry research grant awarded

The Institute for Capitalising on Creativity, which involves the universities of St Andrews, Dundee and Abertay Dundee, and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, won the grant from the UK's Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

The grant will enable us to build on this acknowledged area of excellence, and by engaging in industry-led research, help us build knowledge to help strengthen this sector for the future

Professor Barbara Townley

Director

Institute for Capitalising on Creativity

As the only grant awarded solely for the creative industries, the funding will be used to conduct research into the future and issues facing the sector, as well as supporting PhD studentships, knowledge transfer partnerships and in-business projects.

Professor Barbara Townley, Institute Director, commented: "The grant will enable us to build on this acknowledged area of excellence, and by engaging in industry-led research, help us build knowledge to help strengthen this sector for the future.

She also said the organisation looked forward to increasing its links with the creative industries and is seeking further ideas for projects from members of the sector.

According to culturalprofiles.net, the Scottish creative industries employ more than 100,000 people, generating an estimated £5 billion a year and contributing around four per cent to gross domestic product.