Over the course of 2023, we are conducting a critical inquiry into the multidimensional nature of “diversity” for the UK’s cultural and creative industries, across five inter-related themes:

1. the range of challenges and initiatives related to demographic diversity in the cultural and creative workforce;

2. the plurality of organisational forms, funding mechanisms, value-chain interactions;

3. spatial dimensions of regional inequality, migration/mobility and access to housing;

4. representational issues of visibility and reception of cultural expressions and media outputs;

5. implications for transversal policymaking across multiple siloes of governance.

This inquiry takes the form of an extended review of literature, statistics, industry interventions and public policy action; alongside a series of pilot qualitative research projects. It will be structured by a series of themed internal events, leading to a public-facing conference towards the end of the year.

Through such activities, we aim to develop a body of knowledge and a network of expertise that can inform coordinated strategic action and future research at a trans-European level.