NCACE Research Associate
Creative industries strategy, policy and impact consultant
Stephen Hignell is a creative and cultural industries strategist working across research, policy and practice. He specialises in helping people, businesses and organisations understand how cultural and creative ecosystems function in reality, and how business, policy, funding and programmes can better align with that.
Over nearly two decades, he has worked with organisations including the British Council, UNESCO, Arts Council England, BFI, the Mayor of London and international governments, delivering research, evaluation and strategy across the UK and internationally. His work spans international development, as well as fragile, transitional and post-conflict contexts, where formal systems are often incomplete or under strain.
Stephen’s approach is grounded in facilitation, participation and lived experience. He works closely with practitioners, communities and institutions to generate insight, challenge assumptions and translate complex realities into practical action. A consistent thread in his work is a focus on how knowledge is created and exchanged beyond formal structures, and what this means for research, policy and access.
Stephen is a Clore Social Leadership Fellow and Co-Chair and Trustee of Raze Collective.