The CHEAD Research Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (RIKE) Alliance works to expand and enhance public understanding of arts, media, and design key subject areas and their vital social, economic, political and cultural impact. The Alliance aspires to influence policy through research, practice and advocacy, keeping curiosity and exemplary arts processes at its core.
The CHEAD RIKE Alliance is chaired by CHEAD Co-opted Trustee, Dr Sian Vaughan
RIKE Alliance Vision Statement
The CHEAD RIKE Alliance is a collaborative, entrepreneurial partner in the UK’s creative and cultural economy – demonstrating how our research creates impact by shaping practice, activating innovation and informing policy. We engage with external research organisations including other research partners, international institutions, local and national agencies, policy makers and our colleagues in member institutions.
We are keen to nurture research leadership, research-curious staff and early career researchers to broaden the scope of research, innovation and knowledge exchange. We endeavour to be a vibrant, well-connected and confident community of practice for new ideas and methods, with no limiting boundaries, a reputation for boldness and a growing international profile.
The RIKE Alliance brings together researchers, leaders and staff within CHEAD members institutions through a dedicated REF Forum and our Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (IKE) Forum. Our activities include regular events for members of the Alliance throughout the year via the Forums, the development of advocacy pieces and working papers, and informing CHEAD responses to sector consultations. Focused RIKE working groups support specific projects, pieces of advocacy and research, training and events.
The CHEAD RIKE Alliance welcomes new members from any CHEAD member institution. If you would like to join the mailing list, please contact: info@chead.ac.uk
A working paper arising from the event in April 2025: Civic and Place: Exploring the Role of the Civic in Art and Design which brought together researchers, educators, practitioners and community stakeholders to examine how art and design can shape, sustain, and animate civic life.
The paper is co-authored by: Dr Rowan Bailey, Director of the Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture, University of Huddersfield; Evelyn Wilson, co-Director of National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange; Dr Rhiannon Jones, Associate Professor (Civic Practice). Head of Civic and Communities, University of Derby; Professor Steve Millington, Professor of Place Management, Manchester Metropolitan University; Adam Ellis Leach, Programme Director, National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) and Head of Civic Strategy & National Initiatives, Sheffield Hallam University and Sandra Booth, Director of Policy and External Relations, CHEAD
