Research Concept
Our understanding of research in the field of the creative economies implies processes and practices of creation and experimentation, curating and entrepreneurial engagement. Accordingly, we see research as a field of action in the creative economies that enables describing and interpreting key dynamics, practices, strategies and transformations.
Five aspects are central to our research concept:
1. Research as a process of creation
Any attempt to describe and interpret the dynamics of the creative economies also implies a specific perspective that reveals certain phenomena and hides others. Developing different models helps reveal interconnections. We look for perspectives that challenge established ideas. We develop new methods, alternative approaches and laboratories for experiments. And we create platforms that enable controversially debating heterogeneous perspectives.
2. Research in the risk area “between” established positions and high-risk projects
Research must consciously penetrate areas in which issues appear controversial, uncertain and complex, i.e. into the space “between” known perspectives and ideas. Accordingly, we are interested in new links between forms of creativity and economic models. We zoom in and zoom out to consider micro and macro perspectives. We combine quantitative and qualitative approaches. And we complement proven methods with experimental approaches.
3. Evolving research practices
According to our understanding of research, our work is embedded in very different research practices. We use mapping methods. We develop models. We experiment with actors on the ground. We work on case studies. We carry out experimental statistics. We develop new concepts and a language to describe the creative economies. We curate workshops and panels. We encourage discussion in informal and unfamiliar contexts. We record our research in various textual formats. And we are constantly working with new actors. As a result, our approach is constantly evolving, not least because we question established ideas and constantly test new models.
4. Manifold forms of knowledge
Our research approach prevents a single, dominant form of scientific knowledge. Instead, we move between multiple and heterogeneous forms of knowledge. Thus, some relationships can best be illustrated by time series, others by outstanding examples. Alternatively, we conduct staged debates on stage. What counts is not the individual data point, but the resulting ecosystem of approaches, references, connections and contradictions. There is no such thing as a neutral “view from nowhere.” Rather, we seek to develop knowledge resources that other actors can use for their research initiatives, entrepreneurial strategies and value creation.
5. Self-application
We see ourselves not only as a research team that explores the creative economies as a research object. We also consider ourselves actors in the field of the creative economies and collaborate with other actors as co-curators in various forms and formats. This concept of research determines our research agenda. At the same time, we strive to continuously expand the repertoire of possible projects, practices, perspectives and forms of knowledge and to include others actors, who bring in alternative approaches. These diverse efforts generate precisely those surprises that challenge us, fascinate us and advance our research.