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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Coastal Community Teams and Economic Plans

Demonstrating our excellent understanding of how to develop local economic strategies working closely with stakeholders and communities, we have led the development of three Economic Plans for the coastal areas of Deben Peninsula, Leigh-on-Sea, and Shoeburyness. Coastal Community Teams is a national Government initiative with aim of improving collaboration and delivering solutions to local economic…

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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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Southend YMCA

Cultural Engine have worked with Southend YMCA over the last five years, supporting them on major funding applications and development of projects and strategy. 

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