Creative Informatics (2018-24) was an ambitious research and development programme based in Edinburgh which aimed to bring the city’s world-class creative industries and tech sector together. With a vibrant design and advertising sector, the largest concentration of major festivals in the world, and the highest rate of cultural employment in the UK, Edinburgh is a leading destination for creatives of all disciplines. From 2018 until June 2024, Creative Informatics provided R&D funding, support and development opportunities to creative individuals and organisations working in Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland that wanted to develop new products, businesses and experiences using data and data-driven technology.

Across the project, Creative Informatics engaged with almost three thousand businesses and individuals, with 683 benefitting from training and new skills programmes, and 136 SMEs supported to explore data-driven business opportunities. This work has sustained 429 jobs and created 210 new products, services, and experiences, which has in turn generated over £7.6 million in further funding and investment and an estimated GVA of £78.5m on the regional economy. The programme also delivered a series of showcase events and activities in collaboration with creative partners and funded participants.

Creative Informatics was initially led by Professor Chris Speed and later led by Professor Melissa Terras, from Design Informatics and was delivered in partnership across four organisations: the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier University, Codebase and Creative Edinburgh.

Creative Informatics was part of the Creative Industries Clusters Programme; a UK-wide initiative designed to drive innovation, growth, and sustainability in the Creative Industries, through a first-of-its-kind research and development investment of £80 million by the UK government. Creative Informatics is one of nine Creative Industries Clusters around the UK. The Clusters Programme is managed by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as part of the Industrial Strategy. Creative Informatics was also funded by, and part of, the Data Driven Innovation initiative of the Edinburgh and Southeast Scotland City Region Deal, with additional funding from the Scottish Funding Council and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Further information about Creative Informatics can be found at www.creativeinformatics.org