Places provide grounding for cultural capital through practices of creative expression and are the fundamental building blocks of community. These places provide an integrated ecosystem where all forms of creativity – artistic and cultural, technological and economic – can help to generate social capital and resilience. They also reveal imbalances in power and inequalities in socioeconomic status, gender and ethnicity.
Place, community and creativity research insights
At Plymouth, the place, community and creativity research theme addresses issues of place, social justice, and social change. Collaborative and creative methods include arts practice, urban placemaking, co-design, and innovative digital technologies. Arts and humanities academics work with colleagues in natural and social sciences to form research collaborations with local cultural organisations and communities.
This approach strengthens ties with place and the impact that research has within its societal context. More broadly, it impacts the national policy agenda around place, particularly the role of creative industries in addressing regional inequality and community capacity building.
Explore our research projects
Digital Seascapes (AHRC)
A co-design approach to identify new ways for communities to engage with the sea as a public space.
Building with Bridport (AHRC)
Co-design, digital fabrication and sustainable materials for the architectural production of housing futures.
Blending digital innovation and live experiences
Collaboration with Squidsoup to create an immersive light show for the Four Tet performance.
Entrepreneurial Futures (SPF)
Accelerating an entrepreneurial culture in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly .
Imperfect Cinema
Engaging with local audiences and supporting community voices through film.
The Way We Live Now
Reimaging the city of Plymouth
Creative partnerships
We bring together diverse perspectives that are essential for a deep understanding of the local context. Through collaboration artists, community members, and researchers explore the cultural, historical, and social aspects of a place, ensuring the research is rooted in the community's lived experiences.
Future Neighbourhoods
In partnership with Nudge Community Builders,Professor Katharine Willis explored why we need to develop future neighbourhoods from the ground up to create truly inclusive environments for all of our citizens. During this hands-on workshop, we worked with community members to highlight how we can build strong and sustainable communities using technology as a driver for change.
The workshop was part of
FUTURES
, a festival of discovery that explores the past, creates the present, and imagines the future.
Academic theme lead
Professor Katharine Willis
Professor Willis is an expert in exploring our interactions with and perceptions of spatial environment and technology, developing innovative ways of creating inclusive urban spaces through new technologies.
Over two decades Katharine has worked to understand how technology could support communities and contribute to better connections to space and place. Her recent research addresses issues of digital and social inclusion in smart cities, and aims to provide guidance as to how we can use digital connectivity to create smarter neighbourhoods.
Other themes in our place-based research
SHAPE disciplines address global challenges associated with marine, health and sustainability through the lens of place
Through five place-based research themes, we investigate the intricate relationships between communities, the natural world, and technology.
Locally, we co-create sustainable solutions to complex problems in order to build resilient and thriving neighbourhoods, cities, and regions. This work transcends geographical, social and political boundaries to become applicable on a global level.
SHAPE: Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy
For more information about our research contact us at AHBResearch@plymouth.ac.uk or katharine.willis@plymouth.ac.uk.