Creative Partnerships Research Articles

‘Everyone can imagine their own Gellert’: the democratic artist and ‘inclusion’ in primary and nursery classrooms

What do artists do when they work in schools? Can teachers do the same? These were the questions at the heart of our recent research, investigating the work of 12 artists working in primary and secondary schools in England. Funded by Creativity, Culture and Education as a ‘legacy’ project of Creative Partnerships (2003–2011) our intention was to develop a theorisation of artists’ practice that could inform the work that teachers do. In this paper, we report on a key aspect of the Signature Pedagogies project (www.signaturepedagogies.org.uk) the way in which artists approached the issue of inclusion. Through an examination of the work of three story-makers in primary and nursery schools, documented through observation, film and interview, we show that the democratic participatory practices they adopted were based on a fundamental belief that: every child was capable of having ideas; every child could contribute meaningfully to discussions; and every child was integral to a collective ‘performance’. We conclude that these artists’ democratic orientations may well be difficult for teachers to adopt in the current moment, but that this artistic work in schools may still provide a welcome relief for all involved, as well as maintaining an exemplar of alternative pedagogical practice that might be expanded in a changed policy environment.

‘It's a real journey – a life changing experience.’ A comparison case study of Creative Partnership and other primary schools

Within the school curriculum, the emphasis placed on creativity and creative learning has shifted back and forth over the decades and this has influenced classroom practice. One of the more recent initiatives, that of Creative Partnerships (CPs), has sought to put creativity back at the centre of pupils’ learning. In this article, the impact of artists on primary teachers’ thinking and classroom practice is investigated. Differences between teachers who have taken part in sustained CP interventions and practitioners in schools where fewer opportunities are available for art's activities will be explored to suggest that extended interventions by artists in schools can have profound influence despite the backwash effects of the current culture of accountability and performativity.

Five Studies Dedicated to Systems Theory and Cybernetics

This collection of five studies is intended to remember and present a step by step increase of scientific research approaches on contemporary topics related to Systems Theory and Cybernetics. The common line of these studies is related to an original construct: Interactive Modelling. Also, the common scientific pool that is presented is the International Consortium Generosity_Creativity_Solidarity.I the author, professor Nicolae Bulz, was dedicated the presentation of these five studies to my 40 years anniversary of scientifc research career – just into the Academic session of the Commission of Socio-Economic Cybernetics [ACADEMIA ROMÂNĂ, Sectia de Stiinte Economice, Juridice si Sociologie], June 2, Tuesday, 2015 16:00-18:00.Interactive Modelling refers and re-proposes some long-term verified steps toward a dual praxis (researcherpractitioner):* The non-systemic structural possibility, and explicit verification, regarding our entities (technological, industrial, economic, social, ecological) from our deterministic, probabilistic and fuzzy perspective(s) in order to (re)apply or not the standard statistical modelling. So, to revise the entire statistical approach by iterative and interactive flows within the (all) systemic users as within a first stage (automatic) systemic knowledge (matricial space of states, input-output analysis), and then within a second stage modelling (neural networks, expert systems, decision support systems). * The operative contexts of our life and work support local techniques, inspired by our (presupposed, and natural) heuristics, and proper quasi-models. It means a new type of processing the (images of) our resources toward (the planned) objectives, according with (non)expressed criteria versus criteria upon criteria. All these draw a new hierarchical (a “zigzag” flow) becoming of our classical procedures: “top-down”, and “bottom up”. Interactive Modelling is a methodology which stands to cover and re-cover the too high complexity of our current systems. Sure that these systems would contain more and more constituted problems.The International Consortium Generosity_Creativity_Solidarity is the site of implementation (by original elaborated studies) for the two original constructs: “Creative_Partnership” and “Spirituality-Biodiversity” – all these by a collaborative publication policy – mainly by co-authorship of the Consortium members’ published studies.The International Consortium Generosity_Creativity_Solidarity tries to elicit a dynamic level of co-ordination (the best/dominant knowledge level - beyond the top or down of the co-ordination levels) / comprising the homogeneity level # heterogeneity level (hol#hel). The hol#hel model would be based on a triadic conceptual set of internalized constructs (C): C1: Natural-Artificial Dualism; C2: (A)symmetry; C3: Interactive Modelling. A possible aggregation of the C1, 2, 3 internalized constructs would elicit the compound construct: ‘Spirituality-Biodiversity / Creative Partnership’. A possible implementation of the C1, 2, 3 internalized constructs would elicit and evolve the frame and within the Generosity_ Creativity_Solidarity corpus. The above would support the world based on subtle indicators construct, resulting in an emulation inquiry, sparking and sparkling by a will_can_must_do quaternary elicitation within the Contemporary World Changes. This is to elicit a Charta - equally addressing the Generosity versus Creativity and Solidarity debate within the Contemporary World Changes paradigm. The Consortium members’' orientations as mutual direction /method of research, thesis integration, “cultural exchange” are expected to add/ to provide, at the initial interdisciplinary framework, a trans/co/cross-disciplinary guideline as regards the profile of the contents.

Creating a formal market ecosystem for base of the pyramid markets - strategic choices for social embeddedness

This article is aimed at understanding how the social enterprises (SEs) are creating an ecosystem of social embeddedness at the base of the pyramid (BoP). The qualitative multi-case-based research methodology is applied for data collection and analysis. The data collection involves the field interviews and focus group interactions with the internal and external stakeholders of the SEs offering healthcare and energy offerings to the BoP segment in India. The results suggest that developing a capability in social embeddedness enhances the socio-economic impact on the BoP segment and sustainability of the SEs in the BoP markets. To build this capability, the key focus areas involve local capacity building, non-traditional partnerships and value co-creation ecosystem. The corresponding strategic choices involve actions and orientation towards the local skill building; awareness building; brick and mortar setup; local engagement; multi-skilling; creative partnerships; community engagement; and ongoing field-based experimentations.

Digital Convergence and Collaborative Cultures

The aim of this paper is to examine the position of publishing within the arena of the creative industries and set an agenda for research into a particular aspect of change in the relationship between publishing and other creative sectors. In most definitions of creative industries, publishing is listed alongside other creative activities (from film making and fine art to heritage services and advertising), fitting within different sub-categories depending on the models used. However, it might be more useful to align the activities of publishing with the wider creative industries, identifying which characteristics and behaviours it shares with these sectors in order to position itself more effectively alongside them; by taking this approach publishing can recognise its strengths, share the issues that face many creative sectors and collaborate more effectively given new challenges. Abstract: As digital media lead to the blurring of edges between different creative forms, from books to film, games to visual archive, it is becoming more important to understand the way publishing fits within the wider creative industries. Organisations like the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) clearly position publishing alongside other activities in their models for creative industries and as such it plays a key role in government agendas for developing creative economies.This paper outlines the position of publishing in this wider context by exploring the characteristics of creative industries and showing how publishing fits such definitions. This includes analysis of themes of creativity and collaboration as well as industry structures and behaviours. The paper aims to show that although publishing can at times be regarded as a traditional, legacy-bound industry, the advent of participatory technologies that break down the old publishing value chains are leading to new ways of working. The challenges that digital developments bring face other creative industries similarly. By aligning with the wider experience of creative industries, publishing can seek to define itself in a broader context of digital convergence.The paper is based mainly on thinking developed from a literature survey undertaken for a piece of primary research I shall be conducting. The paper introduces this proposed research, which will look at the way new collaborations are forming and how publishers are managing these creative partnerships. The research will examine how publishers facilitate collaborations, what they learn from other creative industries, and how this activity may be fundamentally changing the structure of the industry.

Developing leadership roles in nursing and midwifery.

This article is the first in a series of seven articles on an initiative undertaken in NHS Lanarkshire where a creative partnership with the University of the West of Scotland established a shared commitment to developing nursing and midwifery leadership. This article describes the national context within Scotland. It provides an overview of the innovative programmes of work and systems devised to support leadership throughout the organisation with a particular focus on quality of care.

The impact of various creative initiatives on wellbeing: a study of children in English primary schools

The following paper builds uon a survey of primary students’ wellbeing in an attempt to assess the impact of various creative initiatives on this aspect of their lives. Three case studies were conducted in schools with some of the highest aggregate wellbeing scores, all three schools having also been engaged in various extended Creative Partnership programmes. Teachers, Creative Practitioners and students were interviewed and observed during both normal lessons and Creative Partnership activities. It is posited that the implementation of creative activities under the framework adopted by Creative Partnership enhances both hedonic and eudaimonic aspects of wellbeing and accords with theories of motivation which stress the value of promoting student competencies and autonomy and creating classroom climates which promote connectedness.

家庭化——后毛泽东时代儿童福利体系新发展

The delivery systems for caring for dependent children have undergone a radical transformation in Reform-era China. Beginning in the mid-1980s, a dramatic resurgence in the number of abandoned infants as well as homeless youths from rural to urban areas placed great strains on the existing framework of state-run institutions for the young. China’s Civil Affairs branch has responded to the crisis by embracing a policy of “multi-approachism” 多元化 that places primacy on local experimentation and initiative. Civil Affairs workers have expressed the need to “societalize” 社会化 social-welfare work, in which the government works hand-in-hand with both outside organizations and Chinese families to provide a better future for at-risk children. These findings suggest that societalization has led, not to the privatization of services or the withdrawal of the state, but rather to the formation of creative partnerships between government and nongovernment entities in aiding the dependent child. Throughout the post-Mao period we can also observe a paradigmatic shift from institution-based care to a family-centered approach that aims at providing the disadvantaged youngster with the warmth and love of the kin unit. This article is in Chinese. 改革开放以来，中国儿童福利事业体系经历了彻底的改革。从八十年代中期开始， 弃婴和从农村进入城镇地区的流浪未成年人数目再次急剧增加，现有的国营儿童福利机构体系面临严峻挑战。针对这一挑战，中国民政部门采取了多元化政策，重点依靠地方试点与创新。民政部门倡导社会福利工作“社会化”，倡导政府与社会团体、普通家庭共同照料高危儿童。研究结果表明，社会福利体系工作的“社会化”并未导致服务私有化、也没有导致国家退出这一工作领域；相反，社会福利工作的“社会化”引导政府与非政府行为体创建了一种新型合作关系，来共同照料需要救助的儿童。自毛泽东时代结束以后，社会福利体系也经历了一种范式转变，相关工作原来以机构为基础，现在逐渐转向以家庭为中心，用亲情单位为需要救助的未成年人提供温暖与爱。

Measuring children and young people’s wellbeing in the school context

Although being rooted in the work of ancient Greek philosophers, contemporary research on wellbeing is a relatively new phenomenon. As a term in the literature, wellbeing is often used interchangeably with others, such as happiness, flourishing, enjoying a good life and life satisfaction. Furthermore, the wellbeing of school-aged children is only beginning to be explored with increasing recognition that research conducted on adults cannot be uncritically applied to children and young people. This paper aims to address some of the complexities in conceptualising, and hence assessing, children and young people’s wellbeing by drawing on a recently completed study examining the role of creative initiatives in fostering wellbeing. The new instrument that was developed to capture children and young people’s perceptions of their wellbeing in school is outlined. Data are presented from a survey of 5170 students from 20 primary and 20 secondary schools across England that identify four dimensions of wellbeing. Differences in self-reported wellbeing relating to age, gender and type of school attended (Creative Partnerships versus other schools) are explored. The implications of these findings, particularly differences related to type of school attended, given the focus of this special issue, are considered.

Nurturing Creativity in Education

Across continents, creativity is a priority for education and is central to the discourse on 21st century learning. In this article, we explore how a greater focus on ‘everyday creativity’ in schools changes the dynamics of teaching and learning. We look briefly at the main concepts in the literature on creativity in education. We then focus on examples from the Centre for Creative Education's creative partnerships, which bring together educators, learners and creative professionals. This is followed by a discussion on how teachers assess learners’ creative dispositions, as well as the quality of creative processes and products. We conclude with recommendations for school‐level strategies and policy and research to support learner and teacher creativity.

Solving Research Problems in Palliative Medicine: Official Resources and Creative Partnerships (TH322)

opioids. Reason 7: Buprenorphine is not immunosuppressive like morphine and fentanyl. Reason 8: Buprenorphine does not reduce hypothalamic gonadotropins axis or cause hypogonadism. Reason 9: Buprenorphine does not prolong the QTc interval and is associated with fewer sudden deaths than methadone. Reason 10: Buprenorphine is a safe and effective analgesic for the elderly. Reason 11: Buprenorphine is the one of the safest opioid to use in renal failure and for individuals on dialysis. Reason 12: Withdrawal symptoms are milder with buprenorphine and drug dependence is less. In light of the evidence for its efficacy, safety, versatility, and cost, buprenorphine should be considered as a first line analgesic. This concurrent session will start with a patient presentation followed by a review of the benefits of and some of the problems with using buprenorphine.

Library partnerships: a key to growth

Purpose – The purpose of this column is to review several recent library partnerships and highlight the benefit of such endeavors for the libraries and their partner institutions. Design/methodology/approach – This is a literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners. Findings – Visibility and access to the library in some unexpected locations, thanks to a number of creative partnerships, can serve as greater a function to the library as to its partner and the community. The vitality of the library can be at least partially sustained by its partnerships and can serve as a model for other public/private and public/public associations where both sides of the partnership benefit in the estimation of the public. Originality/value – The value in addressing this issue is to examine the creative public/private and public/public partnerships of which libraries can avail themselves in an effort to best serve their patrons.

California Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program: Addressing The Diversity Of The National Registry Through Creative Partnerships With Cord Blood Banks and Provision Of High-Quality Cord Blood Units For Research

California's Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program (UCBCP) is a unique, state-funded system designed to capture the diverse HLA profiles of its residents' umbilical cord blood units (CBUs) for public banking and use in unrelated transplants, while providing a source of high quality cord blood units for qualified researchers. The legislation's unifying directive to create a sustainable program to collect diverse California CBUs for banking and research guided the development of tools useful for the assessment of potential cord blood collection sites and partner cord blood banks. Here, we present the methodology utilized to develop the UCBCP network of collection sites and partner cord blood banks, and describe mechanisms for sustainability. The process of contract negotiations between the UCBCP, host hospital and partner cord blood bank (CBB) is preceded by identification and analysis of each party, with an emphasis on parameters that are directly related to the intent of the legislation. The Collection Site Assessment Tool evaluates hospitals based on, but not limited to the following criteria; birth rate, ethnic/racial diversity of patient population, proximity to partner cord blood bank, shipping logistics, shipping costs, preferred collection model, and space availability. Data are collected from the CA Dept. of Public Health and hospital staff. Our CBB Assessment Tool was developed as a scoring mechanism to evaluate proposals from cord blood banks wishing to be qualified to receive California's CBUs. Parameters considered include CBB licensure by the FDA, collection model, capacity, experience and CBB financials.By tailoring negotiations and contracts based on results from the assessment tools, each partnership between collection site and cord blood bank is uniquely suited to the needs of each party and promotes the UCBCP mission, which ultimately serves the patients who receive the transplants. This approach requires effort, creativity and transparency up front as term lists are created and negotiated, and success is dependent on reaching a consensus between hospital administrators, Labor and Delivery staff, CBB officials and the UCBCP, prior to contract signing. The number of contracts uniting hospital, CBB and the UCBCP range from 1-3, depending on the requirements of each party. UCBCP sustainability issues are covered under contracts between the CBB and the UCBCP, such as disbursement of CBUs that do not meet public banking criteria to researchers or fees paid to the UCBCP upon retrieval of a UCBCP-funded CBU for transplant. Distribution of high-quality CBUs for research is an important aspect of the legislation that also supports the UCBCP sustainability funding plan and is non-negotiable, although the UCBCP does provide funding and support for these activities. Our research-grade CBUs are provided fresh and are not manipulated, with an average volume of 94 mL and an average total nucleated cell count of 8.7 x 108. Our standards for research-grade CBUs are high to encourage the use of cord blood stem and progenitor cells in basic and pre-clinical studies, which also ultimately serves the transplant patient community. The flexible model the UCBCP has developed to increase cord blood collections in California can serve as a template for other states and collection programs. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

All in the Family

The delivery systems for caring for dependent children have undergone a radical transformation in Reform-era China. Beginning in the mid-1980s, a dramatic resurgence in the number of abandoned infants as well as homeless youths from rural to urban areas placed great strains on the existing framework of state-run institutions for the young. China’s Civil Affairs branch has responded to the crisis by embracing a policy of “multi-approachism” 多元化 that places primacy on local experimentation and initiative. Civil Affairs workers have expressed the need to “societalize” 社会化 social welfare work, in which the government works hand-in-hand with both outside organizations and Chinese families to provide a better future for at-risk children. These findings suggest that societalization has led not to the privatization of services or the withdrawal of the state, but rather to the formation of creative partnerships between government and nongovernment entities in aiding the dependent child. Throughout the post-Mao period, we can also observe a paradigmatic shift from institution-based care to a family-centered approach that aims at providing the disadvantaged youngster with the warmth and love of the kin unit.

The relationship between telehealth and information technology ranges from that of uneasy bedfellows to creative partnerships

The relationship between the clinical and technical aspects of a telehealth operation is frequently problematic, and technically-driven projects often fail to achieve sustainability. Qualitative data from a study of 37 Australian telehealth services were analysed to understand how the relationship between telehealth providers and information technology (IT) departments helps or hinders the development of telehealth. The most frequent difficulties reported were between telehealth services and the internal IT departments of health services, rather than with external vendors. The difficulties included barriers to installing telehealth over IT networks, a lack of priority given to telehealth services, and IT departments insisting on standardised approach. Alternatively, when IT staff were assigned to supporting clinical staff and had a close working relationship with them, they were major enablers of telehealth services. Authorising dedicated IT support and encouraging joint problem solving should provide a strong foundation for a healthy relationship which contributes to the growth and sustainability of telehealth.

“Well, I'm Dashed!”

“Well, I'm Dashed!”

The Collier-Campbell archive: 50 years of passion in pattern

For the five decades of their partnership, sisters Susan and Sarah were at the forefront of textile design, with their vibrant hand-painted patterns. They first made their names with stunning collections for Liberty of London Prints and, endlessly inventive, their work has been taken up by fashion leaders including Yves Saint Laurent and Jaegar and major homeware producers, like Habitat, Martex and Stevens, Fishbacher and P Kaufmann. Today, their collections of prints and patterns continue to be in great demand on the vintage markets. Totalling over 30,000 pieces, the Collier Campbell archive holds roughs and sketches, colourways and printers gams, fabric and wallpaper samples, clothing and diverse items bearing their designs. Susan and Sarah were renowned for their handling of colour, painterly approach and signature ability to cheat the repeat in printing: qualities that infuse their work with a sense of fluidity, freshness and exuberance. This book presents hundreds of their designs many instantly recognisable which will form an essential reference for designers, fashionists and students alike. With exclusive commentary from Sarah, quotes from the late Susan, and the voices of key collaborators and experts in the field, this beautiful collection will cement their reputation as one of the key creative partnerships in modern design.

Can mimetics, a theatre‐based practice, open possibilities for young people with learning disabilities? A capability approach

While the significance of the social model of disability for articulating inclusive approaches in education is recognised, the application of capability theory to education is less well developed. This article byJoTrowsdale of theUniversity ofWarwick andRichardHayhow ofOpenTheatre considers how a particular theatre‐based practice, here described as ‘mimetics’, can alter and extend the aspirations and achievements of children and young people with learning disabilities, and might be understood as applied capability theory or ‘capability practice’. Mimetics has been crafted from experimental psycho‐physical actor‐training processes byOpenTheatreCompany working in collaboration with actors with learning disabilities, and adapted to support the learning and development of young people with learning disabilities. This study draws upon an action research project set up byCreativePartnerships withOpenTheatre Company and a special school, where children demonstrated increased motivation and capacity for communication and socialisation, improved well‐being, learning and wider achievement. To illustrate the process, we offer a case study of one child with an autistic spectrum disorder.

So Long, Silos

So Long, Silos

Towards educational change leadership as a discursive practice—or should all school leaders read Foucault?

While educational policy-makers bemoan the ways in which educational reforms falter, they both valorize and punish leaders for their key role in change. In this paper, using a national study funded by the English Creative Partnerships programme, we suggest that it may be helpful to understand the limits to change by seeing change leadership as discursive practice. We elaborate this by showing the correspondences between the words of senior leaders and what was happening in their schools. We focus on four status quo maintaining discourses—delivery of curriculum; subjects as the organizer of curriculum; ability and low aspirations—and show how these inhibited change. We argue that thinking of change as discursive offers the notion of leadership as state of being and knowing which might simultaneously enact, de-construct and disrupt taken-for-granted and dominant discourses. We then wonder what implications this perspective has for what and how we teach serving and aspirational school leaders.