Research

Undertaking research, developing relationships with academic institutions, think tanks and other social, cultural and economic research organisations, and applying new ideas and thinking to projects and activities on the ground. We undertake consultation and research to underpin strategies and to build strong funding applications. We also collaborate with Universities on outreach programmes and on specific funded projects. We run the Cultural Engine Research Group (CERG) in partnership with University of Essex and Unversity of East London. Through CERG we have gained a deep knowledge of the needs of Universities regarding outreach, impact and research.

The Cultural Engine Reserach Group (CERG) is a partnership between the Cultural Engine CIC, the University of East London and the University of Essex. The key aims are to bring academic discourse and reserach into the public arena throug events, workshops and projects. Through this academics can engage directly with communities and affect change and have impact through their reserach.

The ‘sectors’ that the CERG engages in through an interdisciplinary approach include – Place, Pride and Identity (particularly in relation to Levelling-Up narratives and policy), Tourism and Heritage, Public Realm, Digital Cultures and Smart Cities, Creative Industries, Education, Public Health and Food Cultures. CERG engages directly with academics across-disciplines, local authorities, charities and not-for-profit organisations, government and directly with communities.

In summary, our aim is for CERG to act as a conduit whereby academic expertise is identified and applied to solve ‘real-world’ problems. CERG welcomes approaches from all academic institutions across the UK for collaborations and projects, and we are effective at sourcing funding.

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Essex Network of Artists Studios (ENAS)

The Cultural Engine worked with the Essex Network of Artist Studios and Essex County Council to put together an action and funding plan, working with key players to further develop the collaborative concept of studios working together for mutual benefit, sharing best practice and supporting local creative economies.

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Southend Food Culture Project

Recognising food as a critical element of culture, we have undertaken significant research relating to the importance of developing projects, strategies and local policies to support healthy food cultures in large urban areas. Working closely with local partners, the project is developing through collaborative cooking in communities, securing funding for new initiatives and sharing information…

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Essex County Council – Cultural Commissioning Programme

The Cultural Engine was commissioned by Essex CC to run a year-long Cultural Commissioning Programme which recogniSed the challenges faced by arts and cultural organisations with limited funding and capacity. Through this programme, we supported many of the counties arts and cultural organisations with bid writing, strategy and business planning, problem-solving and organisational development.

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