The University of Aberdeen is part of a consortium which has been awarded a major AHRC Doctoral Focal Award in the Creative Economy.
The Celtic Crescent Creative Economy Doctoral Focal Award will spearhead innovative research into the role of bilingual and rural communities in the creative economy, with a focus on regions often overlooked in national creative strategies.
This award will fund 20 PhDs and brings together a consortium of universities committed to bilingualism, led by Bangor University and including Aberystwyth University, Falmouth University, Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, The University of Aberdeen and the University of South Wales.
The consortium is supported by 27 industry and sectoral partners, ranging from national public bodies, theatre groups, media producers and internationally recognised craft producers like Harris Tweed. The funding will support doctoral training focused on building research capacity in strategic areas.
Professor Nick Forsyth, the University of Aberdeen’s Vice-Principal for Research said: “The University of Aberdeen is proud to work with partners on this important initiative which supports young scholars and will create inclusive, impactful research that will strengthen regional economies and enhance cultural life across the UK. This award underscores the University’s international reputation for research excellence in the arts and humanities, following our recent successful AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award, and demonstrates our commitment to supporting and preparing the next generation of scholars to ensure the vitality of these subjects.”
This initiative will strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, and communities to deliver broader societal benefits with a key focus on addressing underrepresentation and closing skills gaps in the sector.
Professor Michelle Macleod, Head of the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture and Co-Investigator and Impact and Engagement Lead on the Celtic Crescent Management Board, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to develop a cohort of new researchers in the area of the creative economy with expertise in place-based, multidisciplinary research. Our focus is on the vital role that rural, coastal and multilingual communities play in the UK’s creative industry, recognised by the government as a driver for growth, and, crucially, creating a talent pipeline that will be a driving force for industrial innovation.”
PhD students will be provided with hands-on research opportunities in collaboration with industry partners and community organisations. The focus will be on developing future-facing skills and opening up career pathways both within and beyond academia, particularly in underrepresented areas and sectors.
Recruitment for the Celtic Crescent PhDs will open next year, with students beginning in autumn 2026.
Thugadh Duaisean Dotaireachd Fòcasach cliùiteach AHRC do Oilthigh Obar Dheathain gus eaconamaidh chruthachail ann an sgìrean dùthchail a neartachadh
Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain na phàirt de cho-bhanntachd a fhuair Duais Dotaireachd Fòcasach mhòr bhon AHRC ann an Eaconamaidh Chruthachail.
Bidh Duais Dotaireachd Fòcasach Eaconamaidh Chruthachail Celtic Crescent a’ stiùireadh rannsachadh ùr-ghnàthach air àite choimhearsnachdan dà-chànanach is dùthchail san eaconamaidh chruthachail, le fòcas air roinnean air an dèanar dearmad gu tric ann an ro-innleachdan cruthachail nàiseanta. Bheir an duais seo maoineachadh do 20 PhD agus tha i a’ toirt còmhla com-pàirteachas de dh’oilthighean a tha dealasach a thaobh dà-chànanachais, air a stiùireadh le Oilthigh Bangor agus a’ gabhail a-steach Oilthigh Aberystwyth, Oilthigh Falmouth, Sgoil Ealain Ghlaschu, Colaiste Rìoghail Ciùil is Dràma na Cuimrigh, Oilthigh Obar Dheathain agus Oilthigh Chuimrigh a Deas. Tha 27 com-pàirtichean gnìomhachais is roinneil a’ toirt taic don cho-bhanntachd, a’ gabhail a-steach buidhnean poblach nàiseanta, buidhnean theatar, riochdairean meadhanan agus riochdairean ciùird a tha aithnichte gu h-eadar-nàiseanta leithid Clò na Hearadh.
Cuiridh am maoineachadh taic ri trèanadh dotaireil a tha ag amas air comasan rannsachaidh a thogail ann an raointean ro-innleachdail.
Thuirt an t-Àrd Ollamh Nick Forsyth, Iar-Phrionnsabal airson Rannsachadh aig Oilthigh Obar Dheathain:
“Tha Oilthigh Obar Dheathain moiteil a bhith ag obair le com-pàirtichean air a’ phròiseact chudromach seo agus tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair air rannsachadh buadhmhor agus in-ghabhalach a bhios a’ cumail taic ri sgoilearan ùra agus aig a’ cheart àm a bhios a’ neartachadh eaconamaidhean roinneil agus a’ leasachadh beatha chultarail na RA. Tha an duais seo a’ daingneachadh cliù eadar-nàiseanta an Oilthigh airson sàr-mhathas rannsachaidh anns na h-ealain agus na daonnachdan, às dèidh dhuinn Doctoral Landscape AHRC fhaighinn o chionn ghoirid, agus tha e a’ sealltainn ar dealas a thaobh taic a thoirt don ath ghinealach de sgoilearan a neartaicheas na cuspairean seo.”
Neartaichidh an iomairt seo co-obrachadh eadar an saoghal acadaimigeach, gnìomhachas agus coimhearsnachdan gus buannachdan sòisealta nas fharsainge a lìbhrigeadh le prìomh fhòcas air dèiligeadh ri fo-riochdachadh agus beàrnan sgilean san roinn a dhùnadh.
Thuirt an t-Àrd Ollamh Michelle NicLeòid, Ceannard Sgoil Cànain, Litreachais, Ciùil agus Cultar Lèirsinnich agus Co-Rannsaiche agus Stiùiriche Buaidh is Conaltraidh air Bòrd Riaghlaidh Celtic Crescent:
“’S e cothrom air leth a tha seo buidheann de luchd-rannsachaidh ùra a leasachadh ann an raon na h-eaconamaidh cruthachail le eòlas ann an rannsachadh ioma-chuspaireil suidhichte air àite. Tha ar fòcas air a’ phàirt chudromaich a th’ aig coimhearsnachdan dùthchail, ioma-chànanach air a’ chosta ann an gnìomhachas cruthachail na RA, aithnichte leis an riaghaltas mar chulaidh-bhrosnachaidh airson fàs eaconomach, agus ann a bhith a’ cruthachadh tàlant ùr a bhios na fheachd leasachaidh airson ùr-ghnàthachadh gnìomhachais.”
Gheibh oileanaich PhD cothroman rannsachaidh practaigich ann an co-obrachadh le com-pàirtichean gnìomhachais agus buidhnean coimhearsnachd. Bidh am fòcas air sgilean a tha freagarrach don àm ri teachd a leasachadh agus slighean dreuchdail fhosgladh an dà chuid taobh a-staigh agus taobh a-muigh saoghal nan oilthighean, gu sònraichte ann an raointean air an riochdachadh gu leòr.
Tòiseachaidh trusadh airson sgoilearachdan PhD Celtic Crescent an ath-bhliadhna, le oileanaich a’ tòiseachadh san fhoghar 2026.