Flourish is based on a co-research model. We’re working with creative and cultural practitioners living and/or working in Gateshead to jointly uncover the key elements in the emergence and development of a successful, sustainable creative sector.

Traditional research assumes that academics are the only experts. They collect information from participants and decisions about what data is needed and how it should be used are made entirely by academics. Co-research challenges that model, recognising the expertise of non-academics. In a co-researched project participants not only play a role in gathering and using data, but they also work with academics to design the research from the outset.

We know that many practitioners and creatives have been doing this for a long time! This is still not the standard way of doing things in universities and it is sometimes challenging within the structures of a university to do this kind of work. We know it will not be perfect. We really hope to create a space where people feel able to speak up but also appreciate this can be difficult – feel free to contact any one of the team if there is something you would like to discuss.