Creative PEC Expands International Research Fellows Network
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) has welcomed 43 new Research Fellows, expanding its international network to more than 100 members.
24 August 2026
Led by Newcastle University, Creative PEC brings together researchers, policymakers and industry to provide evidence and policy advice to support the UK’s creative industries.
Its Research Fellows Network includes experts from universities, research institutions and policy organisations around the world. They include the United Nations, OECD, UNESCO and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Fellows are based across all four nations of the UK and countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and South Africa. Their expertise covers areas including AI, place and regional development, and environmental sustainability.
The expansion follows the Creative PEC Research Symposium, hosted by Newcastle University in April. The event brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to explore the future of creative industries research.
Giorgio Fazio, Research Director at Creative PEC, said:
“Since its inception three years ago, our Research Fellows Network has proved fundamental to the way we develop independent, world-leading research that informs policy and supports the UK’s creative industries.
“Bringing together expertise from across disciplines, institutions and countries, our Fellows lead seminars, contribute to Discussion Papers and collaborate on research that connects academic evidence with policymakers and industry.
“The addition of 43 new Fellows expands our collective expertise, creating new opportunities for collaboration and increasing the impact of our work in the UK and internationally.”
Professor James Annesley, Lead for Creative Places at Newcastle University, said:
“Newcastle University is proud to be at the forefront of creative industries research, with the North East increasingly recognised as a region where globally significant ideas, partnerships and policy are developed.
“Following the success of the Creative PEC symposium earlier this year, the expansion of the Research Fellows Network further demonstrates our commitment to convening world-leading expertise, supporting research that delivers meaningful impact for the creative industries and forms part of our commitment to Creative Places.”
Creative PEC is led by Newcastle University with the Royal Society of Arts and funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council.
This article has been adapted from a press release originally published by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC). You can read the original press release below: