New research shows that the best way to get value from innovative research in the arts and humanities is through relationships. Networking between colleagues is key to ensuring the transfer of value from the arts and humanities to other sectors of the UK economy.

These findings have come about thanks to research, being presented at a policy event in London today, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and NESTA aimed at describing the values of arts and humanities research, in its broadest sense, and its contribution to creative innovation.

Based on work at three events held during 2009 the presentations being made at the ‘Enabling Innovation: creative investments in Arts and Humanities Research’ event today reaffirms the vital contribution that arts and humanities research makes to the UK’s prosperity and quality of life.

The study came about as the current way of assessing the arts and humanities does not fully represent their value to society.  The speakers are not at this point offering a model for future assessment but they do suggest that such assessment should be trained on the degree to which research facilitates the development of citizens who are responsive and responsible, rather than just outputs.

Chris Walker, an Analyst at the AHRC said ‘Today’s event offers an opportunity for the researchers who led these three workshops to brief a wider audience on the importance of innovation. The seminar will present these recent findings, consult on them, and invite discussion of progressive developments from policymakers.’

Recent detailed quantitative research has demonstrated extensive value transfer from Arts and Humanities to other sectors of the UK economy. Transfer of value takes place predominantly through informal networks, a factor often neglected in output driven models of economic value.  An examination of policies for universities intending to assess and harness the value of Arts and Humanities research suggests that they are a bad fit for the value that is transferred.  The focus should not be on target driven management, but should instead look to facilitate the conditions in which value transfer takes place.

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AHRC Media Contact Jake Gilmore j.gilmore@ahrc.ac.uk  Tel: 0797 099 4586

Notes to Editors

‘Enabling Innovation: creative investments in Arts and Humanities Research’ is taking place 1pm to 4.30pm today 5th March at The Work Foundation, London, SW1H 0AD

Presenters include:
•        Alan Hughes is Director of the Centre for Business Research (CBR) at the University of Cambridge.
•        James Leach is Head of Anthropology at the University of Aberdeen. He undertakes comparative investigations of creativity and knowledge transfer across cultures, and within societies.  
•        Kate Oakley is a Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts London and at City University where she is currently directing the MA in Cultural Leadership.
•        Dani Salvadori is Director of Enterprise & Innovation at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, University of the Arts London. She leads a team of business development and knowledge transfer professionals charged with generating income and opportunities for staff, alumni and students. This work, in turn, has led her to develop models of innovation and knowledge transfer applicable to the creative industries.
•          Dr Lee Wilson is currently based in the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge.  In the UK he has carried out research into interdisciplinarity, innovation and organisational change in the arts sector, and in Indonesia works on security and governance.

Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC):  Each year the AHRC provides approximately £102 million from the Government to support research and postgraduate study in the arts and humanities, from languages and law, archaeology and English literature to design and creative and performing arts. In any one year, the AHRC makes approximately 700 research awards and around 1,350 postgraduate awards. Awards are made after a rigorous peer review process, to ensure that only applications of the highest quality are funded. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.

AHRC funding encourages innovation
We support innovation by funding research projects, often involving large collaborative teams investigating complex problems. Our support for knowledge transfer across all schemes inspires a culture where researchers work with other sectors for their mutual benefit – and society’s gain.

We also help to develop the highly-skilled people who are vital if innovation is to thrive. We made over 1,600 postgraduate awards in the last academic year, helping students gain transferable skills – such as project management, communication and team-working – as well as high-level research skills.