Diversity in creative and cultural industries 

Researchers: Anamik Saha, Roaa Ali, Bridget Byrne, Stephanie Guirand 

The project explores how robust moves towards diversity are in a time of crisis within the cultural sector. Working with the organisation Creative Access, which is focused on providing entry points for ethnic minority young people into creative industries, this study will explore the experience of those who have entered the industry via work placements and training schemes, examining the impact of the crisis on diversity policies. We will also explore the impact of the #BlackLivesMatters protests from July 2020 to see the impact this has had on creative careers, after many media and creative organisations released statements in support of the movement. The research will involve in-depth interviews and an online survey. We plan on surveying employees, freelancers, as well as employers in the creative and cultural industries. 

The outcomes of the research will be published in a number of ways, including long-form journalism and academic books, reports and in peer-reviewed journals. The outcomes of the research will also be presented at academic conferences and used to inform an animated movie commissioned by the research team and produced by Words of Colour, and a podcast about the ethnic inequality and entry into the creative industries; both will form part of a series published here on the CoDE website.