This post reflects on what makes academic collaborations with heritage partners work in practice, arguing that the most valuable partnerships are built through trust, mutual understanding and long-term investment, much of which begins well before a project formally starts. Academic-heritage collaboration is a bit like gardening. Everyone admires the summertime blooms, but not everyone wants … Read more…

Recent years have seen growing recognition of the presence and value of independent researchers in applied research. Conversations on the ground reveal a range of research and research-adjacent staff moving into self-employment after careers in research institutions, local and national government and the charity sector. Motivations range from push factors (redundancy, short term contracts, caring … Read more…

A blog on the NCACE April 2026 Festival of Cultural Exchange roundtable on using creativity to tackle climate and racial justice and the Personal 2 Planetary Brigstow fellowship I had the pleasure of being a part of NCACE Festival of Cultural Exchange that took place 20-24th April 2026. The festival aimed to celebrate and shine … Read more…

Artists often show up in civic contexts to animate spaces, lead creative projects or to engage the public. At Bath Spa University (BSU), we wanted to explore what happens when artists are placed at the strategic end of policy-making organisations, not as designers or artists in residence, but as creative practice researchers – bringing artists’ … Read more…

Reflections on the session for the NCACE Festival of Cultural Knowledge Exchange 2026 by Jonathan Edward Bradley With a compass because when we orientate we find direction and balance. With our dancing shoes because Knowledge Exchange is expressive and fleet of foot and asks for all of our being in the choreography or improvisation of … Read more…

“The glue that holds things together may not often be seen, but when it is missing, it is felt” (event participant) This blog brings together two perspectives on partnership working. Paola writes from her experience as Partnership Manager for a strategic collaboration between the University of Reading and the Natural History Museum. Alys writes as … Read more…

Working with stakeholders to co‑produce research in the archives, galleries, museum, libraries and academic (GLAMA) sectors improves both the quality and impact of research. By involving individuals, groups and communities with an interest in the research project at the start of the journey, we can include a diversity of ideas, opinions and knowledge, which not only improves the research but can bring about lasting change for wider society. … Read more…

I. THE HOOK  It all started, rather improbably, with Donald Trump.  In the first session of Let’s Talk, a Teaching Development Grant project at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, we aimed to help students learn how to evaluate an AI chatbot. Whether it could hold a recognisable voice, remain grounded in the material we had given it, and show us … Read more…

I had the immense privilege of sharing my experience of working on a Lived Experience Creative Research project at the NCACE Festival of Cultural Knowledge Exchange, held between 20–24 April 2026. I worked alongside Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), the charity Hospital Rooms and Norwich University of the Arts (NUA). In my role … Read more…