Introducing the AHRC Creative Communities Podcast
MIC media partners with Northumbria University to launch the AHRC Creative Communities Podcast, exploring the power of cultural research and collaborative creativity.
Drum roll please…following a year-long collaboration, MIC media is super proud to announce the launch of the first series of the AHRC Creative Communities podcast, a groundbreaking series that explores the power of co-creation in community research.
Developed in partnership with the AHRC Creative Communities team, hosted by Northumbria University, the podcast features the stories of five Community Innovation Practitioners (CIPs) working across the UK.
AHRC Creative Communities is a major research programme funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and hosted by Northumbria University, exploring how co-created culture can enhance belonging, address regional inequality, deliver devolution, and break down barriers to opportunity with communities in devolved settings across all 4 nations of the UK.
A year-long collaboration: Supporting CIPs to create a podcast series
Over the past year, MIC Media embarked on a collaborative journey with the five Community Innovation Practitioners (CIPs). Our goal was to equip them with the skills, knowledge, resources and confidence needed to produce their own podcast episodes as part of this brand-new series.
Through a comprehensive training programme, we provided the CIPs with hands-on experience in Podcast planning and development, Interviewing techniques, Audio editing and production and Storytelling and narrative structure.
Following the podcast training, the CIPs planned and recorded the elements that make up each of their podcast episodes.
The MIC team, including podcast producer Helen Brown and our Editor Jamie Green worked closely with the CIPs throughout the process, offering guidance, support, and feedback.
This collaborative approach, that continued into the post-production / editing phase, led by MIC, ensured that the final episodes authentically captured the voices and stories of the communities involved.
A journey of co-creation with communities
The Creative Communities podcast offers a unique glimpse into the diverse experiences and challenges faced by communities across the UK. Through engaging interviews and stories, the podcast showcases how creativity and collaboration can drive positive change.
Over six episodes, meet the Community Innovation Practitioners leading the way. Follow their journeys of cultural collaboration, co-creation, and innovation, showcasing real-life examples of how creativity empowers communities to build a stronger, more resilient UK.
The CIP’s in action (AHRC Creative Communities / Lauren Baker 2023)
Listen now and get involved
The AHRC Creative Communities podcast is available on all podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, click here or listen below.
Meet the CIPs and their episodes
- Áine Brady (Queens University, Belfast): Exploring the transformative power of culture in addressing trauma.
- Alex Langlands (Swansea University): Investigating the role of heritage in community development.
- Gaston Welisch (University of Glasgow): Examining collaborative community design and planning.
- Georgina Aasgaard (University of Liverpool): Exploring the intersection of music, health, and community engagement.
- Jim Donaghey (Ulster University): Investigating the power of DIY culture, skateboarding, video and advocacy.
(L-R) Georgina and Professor Katy Shaw record their voiceovers for the Creative Communities Podcast
Key themes and insights
The podcast delves into a variety of themes, including:
- The importance of community-led initiatives
- The role of culture in addressing social challenges
- The power of collaboration and partnership
- The potential for policy change through community-based research
By listening to the podcast, you can:
- Gain valuable insights into community-based research
- Learn about innovative approaches to social change
- Connect with like-minded individuals and organisations
Join the conversation and help us celebrate the power of co-creation!
Professor Katy Shaw, Director of the AHRC Creative Communities Programme
“Podcasting the research journeys of our CIPs has been a voyage of discovery, not only for them as award holders, but for us as a programme team. The capacity of a podcast to capture the multiplicity of voices involved in inclusive cross-sector innovation makes it the ideal medium to profile how communities across the UK are using the powers of devolution to create new cultural R&D. It’s been a real pleasure to work with MIC media to achieve this.“
Vic Elizabeth Turnbull, CEO of MIC media adds
“At MIC media, we’re proud to present the AHRC Creative Communities Podcast, a platform for sharing stories, inspiring action, and building stronger communities. By showcasing over 100 voices, we’re amplifying the impact of community-based research and empowering individuals to drive positive change.
Our commitment to podcast training and development has equipped the CIPs with the necessary skills to become powerful advocates for their communities and create impactful content that resonates with audiences far and wide.”
For more about the process behind the Creative Communities podcast read an interview with Creative Communities Senior Research Fellow Dr Lauren Baker Mitchell and MIC founder Vic here.
New Community Innovation Practitioner Award 2025/2026
Following the successful first round of Community Innovation Practitioner projects the AHRC Creative Communities project has just opened the Community Innovation Practitioner (CIP) Awards for 2025/2026, doubling the number of opportunities for new CIPs. A call is open until 6th January 2025 for expressions of interest for up to 10 Community Innovation Practitioners with at least one award in each of the four nations.