Workshop Summary UK- Collaborations in the Creative Industries , China 3rd December 2019 During the workshop many opportunities for expanding the depth and breadth of the current UK:China project portfolio were discussed. The opportunity to invest more in a shared infrastructure, potentially an innovation centre, to support projects was highlighted in many of the group discussions. Executive Summary

The UK:China Collaborations in the Creative The aims of the workshop were to: The report also captures outcomes from workshop Industries Workshop was held as part of a 3-day • Share experiences and the project journeys of sessions at the event. A great deal has been learnt event in Shanghai, from 2nd to 4th December 2019. the 14 UK:China Creative Industries partnership from the existing portfolio of UK:China projects, in development grants funded by UKRI’s Fund for particular the importance of: The workshop was organised by the Arts & International Collaboration (FIC) in 2019. • Supporting projects with high quality teams of Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Engineering • Make connections between these projects. researchers and creative industry partners in & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), • Develop insights from these projects that might both the UK & China, all committed to face-to- Innovate UK, UKRI China (UK Research & be useful for future project teams and for face interaction. Innovation) and the Shanghai Theatre Academy. funders of future UK:China collaborations. • Creating new insights by engaging in practice • Reflect on next steps for UK:China collaborations (prototypes, workshops, performances etc). During the 3-day event visits were made by in the creative industries in 2020. • Having frameworks in place within projects to delegates to Shanghai Versa Network Technology, • Consider what might be achieved by 2025 if we reflect and share insights on key issues in both WonderLabs, Himalaya FM, Hippo Animation, were bold in how we developed UK:China the UK and China, such as the needs of Shanghai Theatre Academy National Digital collaborations in the creative industries. audiences, consumers & users and the Performing Arts Lab (NDPAL) & SMG’s Secret significance of regulatory regimes. Cinema. An evening reception and show case of This summary report provides an overview of the • Ensuring projects are open to serendipity. project outputs was held at the Jing Yi Pavilion. key note speeches from the workshop and captures • Recognising the different funding structures in the insights that were shared during panel both the UK and China. The one-day workshop described in this short discussions. In both the UK & China technology is • Investing in ways for project teams to share summary report was held on 3rd December and was clearly changing the way culture is being consumed experiences with each other. attended by 80 participants from the UK and China. and culture is changing the way technology evolves. • Investing in support for the ongoing portfolio of Creative educational institutions in both countries UK:China projects. have a key role to play working on research projects with their local communities & audiences and the During the workshop many opportunities for creative sector to deliver innovation. Speakers at expanding the depth and breadth of the current the event all emphasised the opportunities for four- UK:China project portfolio were discussed. The way collaborations between researchers and the opportunity to invest more in a shared creative industries in both countries. infrastructure, potentially an innovation centre, to support projects was highlighted in many of the group discussions. [1] Welcome Address

Dr Ian Campbell Executive Chair, Innovate UK, UKRI

Dr Ian Campbell set the scene for the UK:China ‘We need to be willing to experiment Collaborations in the Creative Industries Workshop. and take risks if we are going to He described the interests of UK Research & innovate successfully’. Innovation in the creative industries and in particular the role of Innovate UK who are encouraging businesses to innovate by collaborating with researchers. He emphasised that we need to be willing to experiment and take risks if we are going to innovate successfully.

[2] ’Technology is changing the way culture is ‘Creative educational institutions have ‘Design thinking does need an upgrade, we consumed, culture is changing the way always been embedded within their all need to remember the big challenges technology evolves’. communities, contributing to social facing society and consider the innovation through creative practice’. relationships between individuals and the systems within which they live’. Key Notes

Professor Andrew Thompson Sir Nigel Carrington Professor Yongqi Lou Executive Chair, Vice Chancellor, Dean of the College of Design & Innovation Arts & Humanities Research Council, UKRI University of the Arts London

Professor Andrew Thompson described the AHRC’s Sir Nigel Carrington reflected on the evolution of Professor Lou described the work of the College of interest in the two-way innovation that is achieved creative education in the United Kingdom, initiated Design & Innovation at Tongji University. He when academia collaborates with industry. He by an ambition to bring artists and scientists explained design’s important role in satisfying highlighted the way technology is changing the way together at the peak of the UK’s industrial human needs, connecting technology and business culture is consumed - and the way culture is revolution 150 years ago. He highlighted the way through creativity. He described his School’s changing the way technology evolves. Research has the UK’s creative educational institutions have interest in bringing this design approach into its a key role role to play in helping us understand this always been very embedded within their local community. Professor Lou suggested our complex process, a role which is increasingly communities, contributing to innovation through approach to design thinking does need an upgrade, important as the significance of the creative creative practice. He described the significant role we all need to remember the big challenges facing industries in terms of economic value and cultural played by UK institutions in global education with society and consider the relationships between the contribution becomes widely recognised in all parts over 180,000 Chinese students now studying in the individual and the systems within which they live. of the world. Professor Andrew Thompson UK (at the University of the Arts London over 3,000 We now need to find new ways to connect the suggested three high level challenges that might be of the Institution’s 20,000 students are from China). needs of the individual to the needs of communities explored through research: building empathy as we Sir Nigel Carrington described the commitment of and their systems, perhaps through new ways of grow our understanding of people, particularly these students to return to China at the end of their providing feedback and new concepts of living such people who are different to ourselves; growing studies, often assuming roles of creative leadership as circular economy approaches. Professor Lou understanding of the relationship between the in their own discipline areas and communities. He suggested artificial intelligence had much to offer in simulated world and the real world, as we develop concluded by suggesting that the creative this new way of working but that it was essential we ever more complex digital & immersive community is now truly global, bringing creative remembered the human perspective. He explained experiences, and finally unpacking the contribution thinking to technological and social challenges that how these themes drive much of the work at Tongji made by creativity in a world increasingly driven by are shared by all societies. University’s College of Design & Innovation, and artificial intelligence and algorithms. recently informed Tongji University’s design week which focused on the ‘the Beauty of Uncertainty’.

[3] Panel Discussion

Panel Chair, Professor Andrew Chitty, Creative Industries Clusters Programme and Audience of the Future Programme Challenge Director suggested UK:China Creative Industries Collaborations represent 4-way innovation linking academia and business in both the UK and China. He asked the panel members to reflect on their experiences of working across cultures.

Professor Zhixin Liu, Vice Dean, College of Creative Professor Gregor White, Dean of Design and Professor Rong Yueming, Director, Institute of Studies, Shanghai Theatre Academy, described 3 Informatics, Abertay University, described the Literature, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, significant milestones for his work: The University’s 20 year leadership in computer games emphasised Shanghai’s commitment to Shakespeare Festival in 1983 which opened minds and the Institution’s collaborative work with collaborating. He understood the logic in UKRI’s to other theatrical forms in China for the first time, partners. in China. He said it was easy to get decision to focus on the city; the UK is a global the development of the School of Creative Studies, overwhelmed by the scale of the computer games leader in the Creative Industries and Shanghai is the first of its kind in China, in 2004 and this industry in China (over 620 million players). There China’s leading Creative Industries city. He moment in 2019 when teams from both the UK and were however many lessons to be learnt by both suggested that to ensure collaborations are China were exploring new forms of theatrical countries about the role of government policy, successful we have to really understand the practice inspired by new technologies. games pipeline management, creativity in games differences in policy, markets and audiences in both development and how cultural differences places. Heather Wright, Executive Director, Partner influence the structure and nature of games. Content, Aardman Animations, reflected on Chencheng Ma, President of SMG Live and Deputy Aardman’s development over forty years. As an Hilary Knight, Digital Director, Tate, explained the Director of the Professional Musical Committee of independent, Aardman was always seeking Tate’s mission to be culturally relevant for the China Performing Industry Association, gave an partners who shared its aspiration to inspire with world, a mission that was being delivered by overview of Shanghai Media Group’s (SMG) its characters, to improve the human condition. facilitating conversations, supporting critical inquiry interests. He described the groups work with the Aardman’s collaborations with academia had and addressing the issues of the age. To date much UK’s Punchdrunk and the staging of Sleep No More, demonstrated the value of two-way innovation and of the Tate’s international work has been about which now, 3 years on, had been staged 900 times it was now keen to develop four way innovation by programming. The Tate is now keen to work in for audiences of 350 with 95% seat occupancy. The developing new academic and industry partnership internationally to develop new group’s Secret Cinema experience was now taking partnerships in China. audience experiences that reflect different art another UK conceived production to audiences of histories and support new forms of audience 1200 every night. He said SMG was now planning to engagement. develop an immersive production based around Chinese IP. [4] Panel Discussion

Panel Chair, Professor Andrew Chitty, invited the panel to comment on why now was the time to be investing in collaborations.

Panel discussion suggested there was exponential Recently in China there has been a significant There is a much better understanding of the change taking place in creative production and merger between the Ministry of Culture and the creative and cultural heritage of both the UK and consumption across the globe with companies such Ministry of Tourism. China is now developing China in a global context. as Disney and Universal currently launching new ‘culture and tourism towns’. Because of initiatives platforms whilst Netflix and Apple continued to like this, the creative industries will always get With this maturity there is a need to understand innovate in new forms of production and government support in China both what works and what is unsuccessful. This is distribution. Against this backdrop the way the only way we will all learn. Now is the time to audiences are consuming culture is rapidly These changes are also being influenced by shifting explore the implications of differences in policy, changing with demand for more experiential and demographics; the new millennials have an appetite management and scale. shared experiences. As cultures become more for very different cultural experiences. Entirely new homogenous, the way we consume as individuals is platforms of interest such as e-sports have The panel suggested that culturally there is a sweet becoming more bespoke and personalised. developed very significant uptake in China. spot between the UK and Shanghai.

The market place is reacting warmly to new The important next step in UK:China collaborations technologies. Cultural experiences based on new is going to be co-design, co-creation and co- technologies are informing us educationally (Digital production with artists and practitioners from the Van Gough was a great success in Shanghai) and UK working with artists and practitioners from culture is playing a key role in urban renewal (The China. It was suggested this will enable Chinese West Bund development in Shanghai was cited as performing arts and creative outputs to develop an example). audience interest abroad and UK creative content to fit the needs of a Chinese market.

[5] Panel Discussion

Panel Chair, Professor Andrew Chitty, invited each member of the panel to give one piece of advice to the workshop audience.

Members of the panel suggested that this was not With many new partnerships being established The challenges of working in partnership across simply about asking for more money, it was now there was an opportunity to create support to make . industry and universities particularly in a very fast time to really study what what makes this way of working the new routine. Finland and moving sector such as the creative industries were collaborations successful. Israel have established innovation centres in also discussed. Shanghai. There is an opportunity for a UK:China Because of the pace of change there is an urgency centre to support creative collaborations - adopting In Abertay University’s Creative Industry Cluster, to connect creative experiences to real world the new four-way innovation approach that InGame, the initiative acts as a ‘Gearbox’ problems. The challenges facing all societies are connects industry and university interests in both connecting different parts of the ecosystem that becoming so pressing we need to find new ways to the UK and Shanghai. operate at different speeds with different roles and extract and share knowledge in real-time. priorities. Discussions proposed that success was going to be about something from the UK:China creative industries partnerships leading to a development with scale.

[6] Workshop Discussions reflecting on the 14 UK:China projects funded in 2019

Creative Industries University of Nottingham University of Nottingham Viridian Shanghai Pudong Shetland University of the Robert Shanghai Promotion Wright University of Edge Hill Federation Museum Highlands Gordon Ningbo FX Jiao Tong of Leeds New District Centre for Consulting Supporting Young FACT & Archives & Islands University Tate China University Municipal City of Fashion Ltd. People to Become Liverpool Galleries Government Shaping the Academy of Bailian Modern Shanghai Bridging the Gaps: Harris International Creative Hangzhou Arts Human Leeds From Augmented Group’s Sky UK Zhida Connected mixed reality Tweed Talents: Educational Normal Shanghai VR Play Fashion Technology Museum Hebrides to Authentic, University Museum performance of House Liverpool’s Enterprise Development Co Ltd. Weaving the Solius Slung Chinese Opera in Yanyue Royal Collaborations UNNC Human Donghua Tongji Factory Low Past into the future Court Shanghai’s rural & Studio University between Shanghai & University 42 Shanghai UNUK Ltd. Shanghai Science & Power urban heritage sites Liverpool Birmingham Jiao Tong Technology Station of Moodbox. Shanghai Shanghai Xiuyi Culture & University Uliaobao Cindy Nielannell City University Museum Art Holosphere Theatre Dramatic Development of Exeter Soong Design Innovation in live University University Digital Fun Shanghai Aardman Academy Arts Centre Company Studio Performance: of Liverpool Animations Shanghai developing Full Conservatoire interactive Dimension China Shaun the sheep in Shanghai Theatre Of Music Media technologies for Shanghai Shanghai Academy Capital The 14 UK:China Collaborations in the opera & theatre Theatre productions Academy University BusyBackPack PROTO of Newcastle University Leeds M7 Media Creative Industries Projects - funded by Beckett Stage Worlds: of Bangor Shan Yan University Cultural A UK:China HDZ Metakey Acoustics Investment Innovation Culture Company Spatial Audio in Partnership Shanghai the UKRI Fund for International Music Shanghai 59 Theatre King Virtual & Augmented Normal Northern Stage Productions Academy Shanghai Reality Technologies University CreAD: UK-China Collaboration (FIC) West Bund University Partnership on Fudan Royal College Sotheby’s of Leicester University 100 collaborators: 14 Chinese Universities, 17 UK Universities of Art Art & Design Fair Creative Advertising 69 Collaborating Businesses & Organisations from Shanghai & the UK University of Scottish Gallery Art Fair Innovations Shanghai Shanghai Jiao University of Of Modern Art Tong University Nottingham Nottingham Theatre Black Ningbo Academy Next Cardiff Shanghai Film Mirror Shanghai Goldsmiths Lilacs Dogma Shanghai Queen Mary Hangzhou Nomad Day University Distribution & Pictures Theatre College International Lab Jiao Tong University Alibaba Zhejiang Agency Exhibition FF Academy Commercial University Music University Association Centre Technology To search for a Future Media The UK:China Dolby Immersive VR and AI for Music in the Trinity Alchemy CBI MXX sustainable UK:China Curzon Creative Challenge: Ryan Interactive Machine China Creative Industries of Filmed Shanghai VR Rowe Bridge Entertainment Ltd. Film Collaboration: Children's Co-designing a Hybrid learning: a London- China and the UK Clipper Unlocking issues Theatre ‘Creature’ as an Asset Maze Shanghai BLAAD Tongji Tongji Media Shanghai Theory Shanghai around film Institute for for Shanghai’s China collaboration in art, University Academy University Media Bank Capital Screen Media distributions of Social Performing Arts & education & AI Technology Ltd Research mechanisms Sciences Birmingham Screen industries Shanghai City Lakeside Arts University Jiao Tong University Communication Universityof Falmouth University Of China

[7] Reflections from 3 rounds of Lightning talks (3 rounds of 8 min presentations)

Lightning talks round 1 Lightning talks round 2 Lightning talks round 3

What would be your recommendations for What things make UK:China Research Suggest ways your project might have most impact maximizing the impact of UK-China Collaborative Collaboration so challenging? over the next 5 years. Research in the Creative Industries? 使英中研究合作如此具有挑战性的3个因素是什 请提出您的项目在未来5年中对英国影响最大的3 为了最大限度地发挥英中在创意产业合作研究的 么？ 个方面。 影响，你能提出的3个建议分别是什么？ Challenges include: A great deal of discussion reflected on the impact • Support small beginnings. • Language. projects might have over the next five years. • Understand the importance of people spending • Time differences & distance. time together to build trust and relationships. • Technical barriers. • Over time it should be possible to create • Make room for serendipity. • Differences in funding structures for research. UK:China creative clusters. • Remember to have fun - fun helps build energy - • Differences in policy & regulatory frameworks. • In both the UK and China the creative industries find partners with energy and enthusiasm. • Demographic profiles being so different. have much to offer other areas of research and • Pay careful attention to the frameworks that the economy. The UK:China creative industry are going to be used to evaluate the impact of What things make UK:China Research collaborations could be extended into the projects. Collaboration so interesting? shared interdisciplinary challenges faced by both • Understand the importance of finding the right the UK & China (ageing population etc). partners to work with. 使英中研究合作如此有趣的3个因素是什么？ • The world of the immersive provides a platform • Have ambitions to build future scale. for sharing tacit knowledge in completely new • Commit time and effort to understanding Interesting opportunities include: ways - this could have a profound impact on cultural differences. • Learning about different ways of thinking about knowledge exchange between two very • Encourage the project team to be highly the relationships between public and private, different cultures. reflective in real time - learning as you go from business and academia - perhaps the UK needs • The UK:China collaborations could be a platform both the things that work and the things that to break down its silos. for both the UK and China to develop global fail. • Embracing the opportunity to experiment in a projects. challenging but high speed context. • Practices of co-design and co-creation appear to • Experimenting with the way ideas and concepts support cross cultural collaboration in totally can be exchanged and integrated across new ways. different cultures through creative practice. • The evolving practice of four-way innovation • Being ready for unexpected outcomes. could be a model to be used in other sectors.

[8] Group Discussion 1 Quick Wins for 2020 快速获胜-2020年的后续步骤

Working in 7 groups participants explored: What • Consider rebranding the activity as ‘arts’ to • Develop a programme level collaboration could be done in 2020 to maximize the impact of qualify for Chinese funding. framework. the current UK:China Creative Industry projects? • Capitalise on the AHRC’s position as the only • Translate project activities and finding into Suggestions are listed below: organisation that has an overview of all the public facing data. projects. • Reflect on the assignment of roles and the 为了最大程度地发挥当前英中创意产业项目的影 • Broker relationships between projects that balance of partnerships within the 14 network 响，2020年能做什么？ could/should link up (when two similar projects projects. come together the effect could be great). • Acknowledge role and importance of science • Gather and share knowledge of how to pitch for and technology research in China and factor that investment in China. into funding calls and applications. • Develop joint start-up activity with Innovate UK • Give more time and small amounts of funding to • Foster co-operation rather than competition - initiate this by developing visibility for the return to Shanghai and pitch to funders - with between projects. projects in the business community. support on how to do this. • Explore how immersive technology could be • Find a way for all projects to collaborate with • Pool all partners (UK & Chinese) knowledge on used to enhance and support projects in the now annual Future Lab event at the West how match funding in China works, so every one between face-to-face meetings. Bund Arts Centre (a hub for creativity & understands what it will take and how long. • Help each other to better understand local resources for tomorrow). • Identify Chinese organisations keen to come to systems that can be very different (tax, legal • Explore what the impact might be for UK:China the UK and collaborate and the sources of etc). collaborative projects, what’s the priority? funding to help them do that: AHRC now have a • Invest in an innovation hub. • Publicity? network of people who are willing to host visits. • Continue to develop a strategic focus for • Commercial Outcomes? • Find a way to have more face-to-face time, UK:China collaborations. • Societal/Cultural (Triple bottom line)? distance does matter. • Step back and identify common problems (e.g. • Consider applying findings to other parts of • Create a virtual meeting space. IP, Copyright). China, for example, 1st, 2nd & 3rd tier cities. • Provide a we-chat mailing list etc. • Explore other funding (2nd round funding at • Plan for future serendipitous engagement. • Create a virtual - or real - innovation centre. various levels, full and seed). • Capitalise on existing festivals and expos, ie: • Provide more small funding - but without an • SIFF, CIIE over elaborate application process. • Fit projects into festival framework • Organise media coverage & trade press in both • Organise speed dating / matchmaking. UK and China (Guardian, FT, Design Magazines). • Have a better understanding of each others • Organise events to publicise projects in both the backgrounds (have a web page with UK and China - with an ambition to develop new matchmaking information). business links.

[9] Group Discussion 1 Quick Wins for 2020 快速获胜-2020年的后续步骤

Working in 7 groups participants explored: What Working in 7 groups participants explored: What could we achieve if existing teams work together? help is needed to achieve this? Suggestions are Suggestions are listed below: listed below:

如果现有团队一起工作，我们可以实现什么成果？ 需要什么支持来实现这一目标？

• We could consolidate existing relationships & • We could collectively establish a better • Money and time. nurture new relationships. understanding of how the complete landscape • A resource of admin / project management for • We could develop joint information & resources looks. all UK-China projects - provided by UKRI. to inform future collaborations. • We could develop a team with a very • An agenda. • We could aid China’s transition to an innovation complementary set of skills all connected by a • Access to China funding resources. economy. shared vision. • A network. • We could improve bilateral relations (arts • We could develop new Intellectual property that • A mechanism in future rounds to explore people are thought leaders). is co-developed, co-produced and co-owned by different opportunities. • We could boost economic growth. partners. • Reports, publications, news and websites. • We could establish a joint lab (UK-China) for • More funds for small projects. exploring cutting edge technology and it cultural • More internships. relevance. • Instant access to small funds. • We could build a new place for knowledge • Support with festival and market attendance. sharing and learning - a place to share both • Events and forums within festivals, expos etc. good and bad experience (particularly the • Support for ongoing face-to-face follow-up. mistakes and lessons learnt). • We could establish a cross-project knowledge exchange. • We could achieve greater impact through co- ordinated branding of projects. • We could create something on a larger scale. that has wider access and provides bigger impact. • We could use IP and legal tools to maximise profitability of creative outputs.

[10] Group Discussion 2 Being Bold for 2025 大胆行动— 2025年的宏图大志

Working in 7 groups participants explored: If we • The projects would be contributing to the • Collaboration would feel like more of a two-way were being bold what would UK-China UK:China ecosystem. street. Collaborations in the Creative Industries look like • We would have a working model / blueprint for • New business models and income generation in 2025? Suggestions are listed below: cross cultural collaboration that might have opportunities would have been developed. value beyond the UK:China axis. • We would have established whether the UK 如果我们大胆行动，中英两国在创意产业方面的 • We would have a fellowship development funding model is commensurate with the speed 合作在2025年会是什么局面？ framework to grow emerging talents, facilitate of development in China. mobility upward as well as cross culturally. • We would have established specialised research • We would be supporting and creating UK:China • Alternatively could our projects be more labs (like MIT in Singapore). SMEs. sustainable with a smaller carbon footprint? • We would be creating new types of UK:China • The UK would be a role model for collaboration research centres and degree collaborations. with China. • We would be developing early years education • Private investment - corporate partners - joint Common Strategic Education Awareness STEM collaboration & curriculum design ventures - a massive scale. Vision Priorities (Capacity Building, (UK:China). • Involvement of many more Chinese cities Culture & Practice) • We would be developing technology supported beyond Shanghai. co-production in theatre and performing arts. • We would be making lives better. GEARBOX • New attitudes from both countries towards IP • We would find ways to support sustainable technology & creativity. partnerships • We would be developing easy ways to exchange • With a low carbon footprint Networks & Joint IP & Shared IP. • Reduced cost to the environment Partnerships Commercialisation Knowledge • We would be developing joint venture • How does serendipity happen (not by Skype!). Base enterprises. • A new platform for research. • We would have more Chinese students in UK, • Events like this, but without the “cost”. following reform of the UK visa environment. • In Chinese culture face-to-face is critically We might have developed the concept of the • AHRC would be becoming a stakeholder in joint important. ‘gearbox’, a form of connection or innovation hub enterprise. • “COLLABORATION REFRAMED”. that connects industry and research and overcomes • We would be ring fencing funding for • By 2025 these could be truly globally significant the challenges of different partners working at innovation. collaborations. different speeds • We would have projects that were economic • There could be impact that is so big it has benefit driven as well as research driven. impact beyond UK:China - this could be the ‘gold • A wider understanding of ‘research’ and standard’ which then attracts other countries. ‘impact’.

[11] Group Discussion 2 Being Bold for 2025 大胆行动— 2025年的宏图大志

Working in 7 groups participants explored: What would we need to do to achieve this by 2025? Suggestions are listed below:

为了实现这个目标，我们需要做什么？

• We need to start thinking big, but acting locally. • We would have projects that were creative, • We need to create a pipeline of projects. • We need to establish mechanisms to industry-led and academic supported (i.e. a • Hold regular jointly funded calls. allow/foster scalability. better balance to showcase UK’s creative • Address the symmetry of UK:China • Partnerships with professional services, ie industries). business/research. lawyers to allow these projects to exist and • Be more imaginative in utilising industry • Develop a White paper on where grow to help with market entry. partners. industry/research is going (for example ISO IEEE • Tax breaks and schemes to aid growth of new • Identify what would be the best kind of results Standards). IP. for this kind of collaboration. • Create a UK:China Creative Industries “body” to • We need the the Gearbox to be: • Use UKRI to interface between business and select projects, e.g. a joint panel. • Fully funded and operational. academia. • We need to address the IP situation in China, • Platform. • Identify regulatory and policy priorities in e.g., TM, Patents, etc. • Responsive. Chinese context in 5 years time. • Signature projects for others to benefit from. • Specific support for SMEs, micro businesses and • Allay IP concerns allowing bolder co-operation. • Become recognised as UK:China creative freelancers (how they might operate at a global • Establish clear metrics for successful outcomes. industry experts. scale). • We need to put more thought into forward • Enable UK:China research & funding assignment. • Smart Translation (Machine & Human). planning. • Mirror this event in the UK. • Need alternative funding mechanisms. • A gear shift towards return on investment. • Can AHRC / EPSRC work together differently? • There needs to true collaboration on urgent issues.

[12] Group Discussion 2 Being Bold for 2025 大胆行动— 2025年的宏图大志

Working in 7 groups participants explored: What impact could these collaborations have by 2025? Suggestions are listed below:

这些合作会产生什么影响？

• We would create a more internationalised • Create a legacy for the programme. • There needs to be new ways of collaborating - younger generation. • Lessening of fear / hesitation to collaborate through the use of appropriate technology. • Chinese products would have international cross-culturally. • Accessing the largest possible audience. visibility. • Creation of a toolkit to make next wave easier • Critical ethical dimensions. • We would have a culture of change and a and more effective. • More impactful. willingness to be part of technology - we would • Lives are made better. • Enhanced understanding between UK and China. have a tech savvy generation. • Wellbeing would be delivered and fostered. • Cultural relations - more positive news. • We would be creating immersive experiences • Economic benefit. • Economic impact. linked to physical manufacturing of products • Long-term co-operation. • Visibility of collaborator. (3D printing). • Allowing SMEs to access wider markets. • Financial benefits. • Deeper mutual understanding of cultures. • Focus on “what do we want to achieve” rather • Cultural benefits (shared values). than “what is the impact” (it is hard to quantify - • Sustainability (Humanity). impact changes with time as the context • Moral Arbiter. changes). • Design led thinking and doing. • Wider societal benefits. • Acknowledging that we all work in the creative • Development of a Business Research industries. Collaboration toolkit: • Contracts. • IP info.

[13] ‘The important next step in UK:China Creative Industries collaborations is going to be co-design, co-creation and co-production - what do we need to put in place to support this?’

Reflections

The December 2019 workshop explored UK:China Collaboration in the Creative Industries from many different perspectives. Many participants commented on the step change in thinking from the two previous UK:China workshops held in November 2017 and November 2018.

14 network projects have now been supported through the Fund for International Collaboration (FIC) initiative. Through these projects a great deal more has been learnt about the opportunities and challenges associated with UK:China collaborations in the Creative Industries, particularly the importance of: The challenges and opportunities associated with the four-way relationship between the UK & China and the creative industries & research was discussed throughout the workshop. Several • Having a high quality team of researchers and creative industry partners in models including the concept of a ‘gearbox’ connecting the different thinking speeds of both the UK & China, all committed to face-to-face interaction. different stakeholders were suggested as useful ways of developing new forms of project • Engaging in practice (prototypes, workshops, performances etc) as support infrastructure. platforms for sharing knowledge between all team members. • Having frameworks in place within projects to reflect on key issues such as Next Steps the needs of audiences, consumers & users, the significance of regulatory The decision to orientate UK:China Creative Industries Collaborations around regimes and policy, and the different creative industry structures in the UK Shanghai has brought focus to the current portfolio of projects. In 2020 a series & China. of more substantive three-year, Shanghai-based UK:China Collaboration in the • Ensuring projects are open to serendipity. Not all opportunities will be Creative Industries projects will be announced. A third phase of UK:China apparent at the beginning of UK:China collaborative projects. Collaboration in the Creative Industries project support will then be defined. • Recognising the different funding structures available to research teams in During the workshop many opportunities for expanding the depth and breadth both the UK and China. of this project portfolio were discussed. The opportunity to invest more in a • Finding ways for project teams to share experiences with each other. shared infrastructure, potentially an innovation centre, to support projects was • Investing in support for the ongoing portfolio of UK:China projects. highlighted in many of the group discussions. With a bold approach many new opportunities could be realised by 2025.

facilitated by Tom Inns [email protected] www.cofink.co.uk [14]