Research and Development (R&D) Methods Explored

In a groundbreaking report, Professor Hasan Bakhshi MBE, Director of the Creative PEC, has made a compelling case for updating the definition of Research and Development (R&D) to acknowledge the vital role of the arts, humanities, and social sciences (AHSS) in fostering innovation in the creative industries.

The report, titled The Art of R&D, published as part of the PEC's Spotlight on R&D Week, highlights the overlooked contribution of AHSS disciplines such as cultural history, social research, and creative arts to the innovation landscape. These fields, the report argues, produce insights that drive novel solutions in the creative, cultural, and public sectors, which are crucial to the innovation in creative industries.

By including AHSS in R&D, the report suggests that innovation would be incentivized by validating their role in knowledge creation, opening access to funding, and fostering collaboration with business and policy sectors. This expansion would provide equitable access to research funding, aligning official R&D definitions with evolving research funding landscapes that emphasize social sciences and humanities contributions.

One key benefit of this update is the enhancement of funding and collaboration opportunities. Expanding R&D to include AHSS allows these researchers to qualify for targeted funding schemes, facilitating partnerships with businesses, government bodies, and cultural organizations. For example, the Innovation Fellowships Scheme supports humanities and social sciences researchers collaborating to address complex challenges through innovative methods.

The report also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the impact and knowledge mobilization of AHSS research. This inclusion would encourage further investment in knowledge mobilization and translation activities, enabling the translation of knowledge into societal benefits, including policy development and cultural enrichment.

Moreover, the report argues that this update would support the emerging tools and interdisciplinary research, encouraging ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies (e.g., AI) across disciplines, nurturing cross-cutting innovation.

The report makes recommendations to policymakers, businesses, and data collectors about how to better incentivize more R&D in creative industries organizations. This update would make innovation in these sectors eligible for tax relief, similar to countries including Austria, Germany, Korea, and Norway.

In 2015, worldwide exports of creative goods exceeded 500 billion USD, with a 150% increase since 2000. This update would foster the growth of the creative industries by recognising the full spectrum of innovation processes and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and societal impact.

The report can be referenced as Bakhshi, H. (2022) The Art of R&D. Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Available from: https://www.our website/research-reports/the-art-of-r-and-d

It is important to note that this report does not address the impact of overseas mergers and acquisitions on the UK video games industry, nor does it discuss the UK's departure from the EU and its effects on the way British firms trade and work with European counterparts.

Historically, R&D funding has primarily been allocated to economic sectors such as science, health, and heavy industry. However, the arguments put forth in the report underscore the need for reconsideration, as the creative industries are a highly innovative and productive sector that depends on the unique approaches and contributions of the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

[1] Bakhshi, H. (2022) The Art of R&D. Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Available from: https://www.our website/research-reports/the-art-of-r-and-d [3] Bakhshi, H. (2022) The Art of R&D. Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Available from: https://www.our website/research-reports/the-art-of-r-and-d [5] Bakhshi, H. (2022) The Art of R&D. Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. Available from: https://www.our website/research-reports/the-art-of-r-and-d

By updating the definition of Research and Development (R&D) to acknowledge the contributions of the arts, humanities, and social sciences (AHSS), Professor Hasan Bakhshi's report argues that innovation in creative industries would be fostered.
The report, titled The Art of R&D, suggests that including AHSS in R&D would incentivize knowledge creation, open access to funding, and facilitate collaboration with business and policy sectors within the creative industries.
The report highlights the overlooked role of AHSS disciplines, such as cultural history, social research, and creative arts, in driving novel solutions in the creative, cultural, and public sectors.
By expanding R&D to include AHSS, more research funding opportunities would be provided, thereby aligning official R&D definitions with evolving research funding landscapes that emphasize social sciences and humanities contributions.
One key benefit of this update would be the enhancement of funding and collaboration opportunities for AHSS researchers, who would then be eligible for targeted funding schemes and partnerships with businesses, government bodies, and cultural organizations.
The report also encourages policymakers, businesses, and data collectors to better incentivize R&D in creative industries organizations by making innovation eligible for tax relief, as practiced in countries such as Austria, Germany, Korea, and Norway.
The creative industries generated worldwide exports exceeding 500 billion USD in 2015, with a 150% increase since 2000, and this update would facilitate the growth of these sectors by recognizing the full spectrum of innovation processes and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
It is essential to consider the unique approaches and contributions of the arts, humanities, and social sciences in reevaluating the allocation of R&D funding in light of their significant role in fostering innovation in the creative industries.