Interdisciplinary Collaborations: linking Creative Cultures and Business

Ethos and overview

Interdisciplinary learning encourages the consolidation of learning by synthesising ideas and concepts form different subject areas. Such learning can itself act as a spur to greater creative thinking and activity.

Many traditionally creative subjects are being transformed by innovations in information technology in the spheres of production, consumption and ownership. And creative, inter-and multidisciplinary professionals often provide step-change growth that have the power to shape economic and social agendas. Equipping staff and students with boundary-crossing knowledge and skills will strengthen their ability to be successful in their future careers whether for themselves or in helping to solve societal issues. Such skills are especially important as in many creative sectors self-employment is the dominant mode of work whilst reaching global audiences, thus needing to bring together both creative skills and a good business understanding in order to succeed.

So come along for a week of debate, discussion and deliberation on all things interdisciplinary, linking creative cultures to business.

 

Activities to include

1. Workshops from Staffordshire University staff.

2. Visits to creative and business workspaces with external partners.

3. Selected workshops/lectures from invited participants.

4. Lectures and workshops with students.

 

Participants wanted

Academics specifically teaching in interdisciplinary areas, business development, especially working with creative sector businesses and creative industries.

Academics and Professional staff who have led or played a major part in ERASMUS projects.

Academics who transcend disciplinary boundaries.

 

Contribution from participants

Please provide the following in term of your potential contribution - note due to timing we may be unable to include submissions

 

Title

Outline (2-3 sentences)

Audience

1. Lecture to students – 40 mins then 10 mins for Q&A.

2. Workshop for staff and students – 90 mins (note if needs be these can be in an IT suite)

3. Workshop for staff 90 mins (note if needs be these can be in an IT suite)

 

Registration fee: €100.00 per participant

 

Biographies of staff organizers

 

Prof Carola Boehm @Carola_Boehm

Carola Boehm is Professor of Arts and Higher Education at Staffordshire University. She holds degrees in music, computer science and electrical engineering. Her public output includes more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. She regularly peer reviews for EPSRC and AHRC, as well for EU research frameworks. She has coordinated more than 20 collaborative projects, gaining funding from the EC, EPSRC, SHEFC, JISC, British Library, HEA, EU, and HLF. Her research areas include music technology education; interdisciplinarity, creativity and technology in higher education and her more recent work considers the role that universities play in our creative society.

Prof Jon Fairburn @ProfJonFairburn

Jon is Professor of Sustainable Development. He has lead or been involved with multiple EU project (including ERASMUS, INTERREG, FP7, GRUNDTVIG). He also has had a long involvement with the World Health Organisation. He is particularly interested in student work-placements of all types and has incorporated them into many of the awards that he teaches.  

Wendy Pollard @ErasmusStaffs

Wendy is the Institutional ERASMUS Co-ordinator for the University, working closely with staff and students to promote the benefits of working and studying in Europe.   Staffordshire University has Inter Institutional Agreements with over 80 European partners across all schools.

 

Prof Jess Power @Jess Power_

Professor of Teaching and Learning and Associate Dean for Students in Creative Arts and Engineering at Staffordshire University. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Fellow of The Textile Institute, Fellow of Chartered Management Institute, and a National Teaching Fellow.

Jess is particularly interested in contributing to shaping the future of Higher Education through design challenge-led learning integrating academic disciplines, creating learning networks and knowledge co-creation

 

Further Useful Information:-

How to get to Stoke on Trent:

http://blogs.staffs.ac.uk/staffsprofessoriate/2016/01/12/how-to-get-to-s...

Where to Stay and Eat:

http://blogs.staffs.ac.uk/staffsprofessoriate/2015/09/11/a-review-where-...

European participants can apply for an Erasmus+ Staff Training Grant at their university.