Steps for creating collaborative relationships with artists.

By Clive Potter, Jasmine Black, Kerry Morrison, Julie Urquhart, Paul Courtney, and Alice Goodenough.

Read the full paper here.

Socio-ecological research collaborations between artists and scientists have increased significantly in recent years, aided by increased investment by funding bodies, such as UK Research and Innovation and others internationally, which recognise and encourage cross-disciplinary partnerships. Despite some success stories, there is still a lack of awareness in ‘the sciences’ regarding how ‘the arts’ undertake their own form of inquiry into the world.

Further, different language used by different disciplines can cause confusion and misunderstanding, potentially leading to a reluctance to work collaboratively. In this paper, we discuss diversity within the arts as a discipline and seek to clarify various terminologies being used in both the arts and sciences to characterise joint working.

Drawing on a series of interviews and a workshop with artists and scientists with experience of collaboration, we compare understandings and expectations and reflect on the implications for funding bodies, institutions, artists and scientists.