We have drawn together a collection of research resources that explore the nature and value of contemporary craft from social, economic and cultural perspectives.
Follow the links to find out more about statistics, characteristics and trends relevant to the contemporary craft sector.
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Reports
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Profiling the sector
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Craft Sector Profile and Analysis, Crafts Council (2009)
A summary of the craft sector's current economic impact and business profile drawing upon research compiled by Creative and Cultural Skills, the Crafts Council and Arts Council England.
Download Craft Sector Profile and Analysis, Crafts Council (2009) PDF (88KB) -
Craft: Impact and Footprint, Creative & Cultural Skills (2009)
An impact and profiling study of the whole craft sector using a methodology designed for parity with other creative industries sub-sectors. This study encompasses both the traditional and the contemporary crafts and the resulting estimates of economic impact are high in comparison with other studies.
Craft: Impact and Footprint, Creative & Cultural Skills (2009) -
Exploring Business Activity & Performance in the Craft Sector, Cockpit Arts (2008)
An impact and profiling survey of craft businesses operating at Cockpit Arts from 2005 to 2008.
Exploring Business Activity & Performance in the Craft Sector, Cockpit Arts (2008) -
A Future in the Making: Socio-economic survey of the craft sector in Northern Ireland, Craft Northern Ireland (2006)
A socio-economic survey of craft businesses in Northern Ireland investigating the key issues facing the craft sector. The report outlines a series of measures by which the sector might be compared with that in the rest of the UK and Ireland.
A Future in the Making: Socio-economic survey of the craft sector in Northern Ireland, Craft Northern Ireland (2006) -
Making it in the 21st Century, Crafts Council (2004)
The latest in a series of decennial socio-economic surveys of over 2000 contemporary craft makers, largely drawn from the National Register of Makers and memberships of craft guilds, societies and associations.
Download Making it in the 21st Century (Executive Summary) PDF (471 KB)
Download Making it in the 21st Century (Full Report) PDF (769 KB) -
Craft Businesses in Scotland: A Study, Scottish Arts Council (2002)
Study examining craft businesses in Scotland highlighting the types of work being done, the markets for craft and the uptake of support offered by various sources for the development of crafts in Scotland. The research provides a clearer insight into the size and growth potential of the sector.
Craft Businesses in Scotland: A Study, Scottish Arts Council (2002)
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Markets
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Consuming Craft: The Contemporary Craft Market in a Changing Economy, Crafts Council and Morris Hargreaves McIntyre (2010)
A quantitative study that investigates the market for contemporary craft and profiles the characteristics of both the current and potential craft buyer. The full report will be published soon.
Download Consuming Craft: The Contemporary Craft Market in a Changing Economy - Executive Summary PDF (200KB) -
Stimulating Demand: Market Development Strategy for Contemporary Craft in the North East, Crafts Council (2009)
A market development study analysing the craft sector in the North East. The report examines how the sector operates in relation to existing markets for contemporary craft and explores how the creation of new tools to stimulate the craft economy could work in the region.
Download Stimulating Demand PDF (3.8 MB) -
New Routes: Exploring Market and Audience Development Opportunities for Mid-Career Designer Makers in the West Midlands, Designer Maker West Midlands, (2009)
A market development study in the West Midlands region, supported by the Crafts Council with funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. The findings have been used to create a handbook for makers, available to download from the Designer Maker West Midlands website.
New Routes: Exploring Market and Audience Development Opportunities for Mid-Career Designer Makers in the West Midlands, Designer Maker West Midlands, (2009) -
Making It to Market, Arts Council England (2006)
A study of the markets and market potential for 'contemporary fine craft.' The report includes a useful typology of the forms of crafts practice.
Making It to Market, Arts Council England (2006)
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Audiences
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Taking Part in the Arts, Arts Council England (2005-2008)
Arts Council England's major study of arts audiences, Taking Part includes figures for participation in craft activities. The project is ongoing and a link to the website can be found on our Research Links page.
Taking Part in the Arts, Arts Council England (2005-2008)
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Learning & Participation
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Crafting Futures: A study of the early careers of crafts graduates from UK higher education institutions, Will Hunt, Linda Ball and Emma Pollard, Institute of Employment Studies, University of the Arts London and Crafts Council (2010)
Commissioned by the Crafts Council and building on the major longitudinal research into creative graduates from UK Higher Education Institutions, Creative Graduates Creative Futures, Crafting Futures explores the experiences and career destinations of graduates from UK craft courses, up to 6 years after graduation. The study combines the results of quantitative and qualitative surveys to provide a rich profile of their early stage careers of crafts graduates.
Download Crafting Futures: A study of the early careers of crafts graduates from UK higher education institutions - Executive Summary PDF (290KB)
Download Crafting Futures: A study of the early careers of crafts graduates from UK higher education institutions - Full Report PDF (939KB)
Download Crafting Futures: A study of the early careers of crafts graduates from UK higher education institutions - Appendices PDF (669KB) -
Creative Graduates Creative Futures, Linda Ball, Emma Pollard, Nick Stanley, Creative Graduates Creative Futures Higher Education partnership and the Institue for Employment Studies (2010)
The first published findings of Creative Graduates Creative Futures, the major longitudinal study undertaken between 2008 and 2010 of the early career patterns of graduates in art, design, crafts and media subjects 4 to 6 years after graduation, this report examines responses to the initial online and postal survey of over 3500 graduates drawn from the 26 UK based higher education institution partners.
Creative Graduates Creative Futures, Linda Ball, Emma Pollard, Nick Stanley, Creative Graduates Creative Futures Higher Education partnership and the Institution for Employment Studies (2010) -
Art for a few: Exclusion & Misrecognition in Art and Design Higher Education Admissions, NALN (National Arts Learning Network) (2009)
Research examining practices in admissions to art and design higher education in the context of institutional policies formed to encourage wider participation. The report questions some fundamental practices in Higher Education policy and addresses national and institutional concerns to create inclusive, equitable and anti-discriminatory practices in art and design admissions.
Art for a few: Exclusion & Misrecognition in Art and Design Higher Education Admissions, NALN (National Arts Learning Network) (2009) -
Art from the Heart, NALN (National Arts Learning Network) (2009)
A report examining the experiences of Art and Design undergraduates from differing socio-economic backgrounds, including those who followed routes to study not traditionally associated with university. The research extrapolates the students' transition to, and through, higher education, and the impact of life experiences upon their creative practice.
Art from the Heart, NALN (National Arts Learning Network) (2009) -
The Art of Innovation, NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) (2008)
This report gives intriguing insights into how fine arts graduates contribute to innovation in the creative industries and beyond, and what policymakers can do to support their contribution.
The Art of Innovation, NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) (2008) -
Drawing Together: art, craft and design in schools, Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) (2009)
Highlighting best practices in education, this thematic report substantiates evidence of the value of creative learning in raising pupil attainment across the curriculum.
Drawing Together: art, craft and design in schools, Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) (2009) -
Practically Minded: The Benefits and Mechanisms Associated with a Craft - Based Curriculum, Ruskin Mill Educational Trust (2008)
A theoretical study analysing the impact of making activities on the cognitive, neurological and social development of young people, including self-esteem.
Practically Minded: The Benefits and Mechanisms Associated with a Craft - Based Curriculum, Ruskin Mill Educational Trust (2008) -
Making Good Work: Realising the values of young people's creative production, Demos (2007)
Pamphlet considering the connection between economic agendas regarding creativity and the understanding and application of creativity in the classroom.
Making Good Work: Realising the values of young people's creative production, Demos (2007) -
About KNOWHOW. Studio approaches to teaching & learning, Maureen K Michael (2007)
Publication generated from the findings of Project KNOWHOW, a research project aiming to articulate tacit understandings of learning and teaching within studio contexts.
About KNOWHOW. Studio approaches to teaching & learning, Maureen K Michael (2007) -
Destinations and Reflections, Centre for Research into Quality, Birmingham City University (1999)
A study of graduate career paths in art and design.
Destinations and Reflections, Centre for Research into Quality, Birmingham City University (1999)
Available at our Research Library -
Learning through making in the early years, Loughborough University (1998)
Empirical study of the impact of making-based learning on the complexity of work produced by children under 5 years of age.
Learning through making in the early years, Loughborough University (1998) -
Learning through Making: A national enquiry into the value of creative practical education in Britain, Crafts Council (1998)
Seminal study on the value of craft education at the Higher Education level, eliciting the influence of craft education on the development of portfolio creative careers.
Download Learning through Making PDF (2.5 MB) -
New Lives in the Making, Crafts Council and Sheffield Hallam University (1998)
A two year research project examining the skills and competencies of craft graduates and their career destinations. The paper aims to to assess the relevance and value of craft education.
Download New Lives in the Making (Executive Summary) PDF (214KB)
New Lives in the Making (Full Report) available at our Research Library -
Teachers' beliefs about the value of making, Loughborough University (1997)
An empirical study of teachers' views of the practical, cognitive and social impact of learning through making.
Teachers' beliefs about the value of making, Loughborough University (1997)
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Social Value
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Making Value: craft & the economic and social contribution of makers, Mary Schwarz and Dr Karen Yair, Crafts Council (2010)
A qualitative research study commissioned by the Crafts Council to explore the characteristics of portfolio working makers and appraise their contributions to a range of industry sectors and community and education settings. Drawing on in-depth interviews with over 30 practising makers, Making Values is the first ever focused investigation of the nature and impact of their work.
Download Making Value: craft & the economic and social contribution of makers - Executive Summary PDF (499KB)
Download Making Value: craft & the economic and social contribution of makers - Full Report PDF (1907KB)
Download Making Value: craft & the economic and social contribution of makers - Maker Profiles PDF (592KB) -
Restoring the Balance: the effect of arts participation on wellbeing and health, Voluntary Arts Network (2010)
Focusing on how the arts contribute to good health, the report presents a collection of interviews and expert testimonials offering insights into the effect of regular participation in creative activities, and the benefits people gain from them physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
Restoring the Balance: the effect of arts participation on wellbeing and health -
Knitting for Long-term Pain Management, Stitchlinks and Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust (2009)
Research into the therapeutic benefits of knitting for patients with chronic-pain conditions undertaken by pain specialist Monica Baird and Betsan Corkhill. Betsan is the founder of Stitchlinks, a web service providing carers and patients with resources and a network to share their experiences.
Find out more about Stitchlinks
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Professional Development
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Raising the Bar: A study of growth trends among Cockpit Arts studio holders and the impact of incubation on their development, Ellen O'Hara, Cockpit Arts (2009)
An analysis of the growth trends of studio holders at Cockpit Arts, the UK's only creative-business incubator for designer-makers. The report assesses the impact that incubation has on business activity and performance among studio holders and identifies the incubation services employed by the best performing businesses.
Cockpit Arts Research Reports -
Makers in Focus, Arts Council England (2005)
Survey report analysing the contemporary craft sector in the West Midlands, and identifying implications for professional development support in the region.
Makers in Focus, Arts Council England (2005) -
Mid-Career Practitioners' Business Support Needs, Cockpit Arts & Greenwich Community College (2004)
A qualitative study examining the skills needs and barriers to growth of creative businesses with over 6 years trading experience. The report identifies gaps in business support provision and suggests recommendations for further support for the sector.
Download Mid-Career Practitioners' Business Support Needs PDF (857 KB)
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Theses
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ADIT: Art & Design Index to Theses
An index of postgraduate research theses in art and design in the UK. Includes abstracts.
ADIT: Art & Design Index to Theses
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Conference Proceedings
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Include 2011: The Role of Inclusive Design in Making Social Innovation Happen, Helen Hamlyn Centre, Royal College of Art, London, 18-20 April 2011
The sixth international conference on Inclusive Design will explore the role that design plays in diverse social contexts, from public service and policy innovation to initiatives in assistive technology and to aspects of civic participation and creative entrepreneurship.
Include 2011: The Role of Inclusive Design in Making Social Innovation Happen, Helen Hamlyn Centre, Royal College of Art, London, 18-20 April 2011 -
Design and Craft: A History of Convergences and Divergences, International Committee of Design History and Design Studies (ICDHS), Brussels, Belgium, 20 - 21 September 2010
International conference exploring the nature of the relationship between craft and design within global historical and theoretical contexts.
Design and Craft: A History of Convergences and Divergences, International Committee of Design History and Design Studies (ICDHS), Brussels, Belgium, 20 - 21 September 2010 -
[Record][Create]:Oral History in Art, Craft and Design, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, 02-03 July 2010
Co-convened by the Oral History Society and the V&A, this two-day international conference aims to bring together the global community of those working with oral history in art, craft and design. Presentations from creative practitioners, academics, oral historians and archivists will focus on the themes of History, Practice, and Interpretation.
[Record][Create]:Oral History in Art, Craft and Design -
ConnectED: 2nd International Conference on Design Education, University of New South Wales & Design Educators Forum South Africa, Sydney, Australia, 28 June - 01 July 2010
Building on the 1st International Conference on Design Education in 2007, the conference will explore themes including: multidisciplinary education in design, design collaboration and working with industry, design and sustainability, and design as research. Full conference papers will be available online.
ConnectED: 2nd International Conference on Design Education, University of New South Wales & Design Educators Forum South Africa, Sydney, Australia, 28 June - 01 July 2010 -
Prototype: Craft in the Future Tense, Victoria & Albert Museum and Duncan Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, Scotland, 10-11 June
The two-day symposium focused on the concept of Future Craft, exploring the radical and multiple ways that creative people are experimenting with ideas in a wide variety of contexts, including Architecture, Studio Craft, Biomedical Engineering and Business Theory.
Prototype: Craft in the Future Tense, Victoria & Albert Museum and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, Scotland, 10-11 June 2010 -
Create Sustain Ability, Art Design Media Subject Centre (ADM-HEA) Annual Forum 2010, Royal Institute of British Architects, London, 14 May 2010
In response to the growing importance of 'Sustainable Development' within UK Higher Education, the annual forum aimed to support institutions and art design and media subjects to develop curricula and pedagogy that will help students develop the skills and knowledge to live and work sustainably. Abstracts are available to download from the website.
Create Sustain Ability, Art Design Media Subject Centre (ADM-HEA) Annual Forum 2010, Royal Institute of British Architects, London, 14 May 2010 -
Challenging the curriculum: exploring the discipline boundaries in art, design and media, Centre for Learning and Teaching in Art & Design, Tiergarten, Berlin, 12 - 13 April 2010
Biennial international conference examining the erosion of traditional discipline structures in higher education and the implications and opportunities posed by inter-disciplinarity for art, design and media
Challenging the curriculum: exploring the discipline boundaries in art, design and media, Centre for Learning and Teaching in Art & Design, Tiergarten, Berlin, 12 - 13 April 2010 -
New Forms of Doctorate, Institute of Education, University of London, Coventry University, Middlesex University and the British Library, 2008 - 2010
A series of regional symposiums in the UK examining the influence of multimodality and e-learning on the nature and format of doctoral theses in Education and the social sciences.
New Forms of Doctorate, Institute of Education, University of London, Coventry University, Middlesex University and the British Library, 2008 - 2010 -
Creating a New Craft Culture, American Craft Council, Minneapolis, United States of America, 15 - 17 October 2009
Aims to celebrate craft's transformational power and to stimulate delegates' thinking at a time of world transition: when economic, political and environmental change are radically transforming how we communicate, what we value, and how we live.
Creating a New Craft Culture, American Craft Council, Minneapolis, United States of America, 15 - 17 October 2009 -
Making Futures, Plymouth College of Art, 17 - 18 September 2009
Aims to improve the understanding of the ways in which the contemporary crafts are practiced in relation to significant and new emerging agendas relating to global environmental and sustainability issues.
Making Futures, Plymouth College of Art, 17 - 18 September 2009 -
Crafts and Innovation: The Tool for the Future, Spanish Foundation for Innovation in Crafts, Toledo, Spain, 24 - 25 October 2008
Conference exploring craft and innovation with particular reference to consumer and market trends, the use of new technologies and craft's relationship to design.
Crafts and Innovation: The Tool for the Future, Spanish Foundation for Innovation in Crafts, Toledo, Spain, 24 - 25 October 2008 -
Crafticulation and Education, University of Helsinki, Finland, 24 - 26 September 2008
Built around the premise of Craft + Articulation, this international conference focused upon how craft is constantly made, unmade, and remade.
Crafticulation and Education, University of Helsinki, Finland, 24 - 26 September 2008 -
Hello Creative World, Entrepreneurship in Arts Education, Utrecht School of Arts, The Netherlands, 24 April 2008
A one-day conference bringing together educators, policy makers, students and the ECCE (Economic Clusters of Cultural Enterprises) to examine pan-European perspectives on entrepreneurship and education.
Hello Creative World, Entrepreneurship in Arts Education, Utrecht School of Arts, The Netherlands, 24 April 2008 -
Neo Craft, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University), Canada, 23 - 25 November, 2007
Conference focusing on the development of new approaches to critical thinking, theory and history in relation to the crafts with challenging papers from key writers and academics.
Neo Craft, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD University), Canada, 23 - 25 November, 2007 -
New Craft - Future Voices, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, Scotland, 04 - 06 July 2007
The first craft conference to fully integrate theory and practice, this international event brought together craft practitioners and academics to develop a new vision for crafts in the twenty-first century.
New Craft - Future Voices, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee, Scotland, 04 - 06 July 2007 -
Context and Collaboration, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, 2005 - 2007
Taking the programming of contemporary textile exhibitions as a starting point, the discussion focused on the role of museums, galleries and Higher Education Institutions in developing a framework for identifying needs and determining strategies for collaboration across and between sectors.
Context and Collaboration, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, 2005 - 2007 -
Challenging Craft, Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, 08 - 10 September 2004
International conference highlighting the increasing instances of hybrid practices in contemporary craft, contextualizing this within larger politico-economic issues.
Challenging Craft, Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, 08 - 10 September 2004
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Blogs
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Craft Research: Knowledge through Making
Co-written by researchers at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, University of Dundee, 'Craft Research' offers challenging viewpoints on contemporary craft reflecting current research interests.
Craft Research: Knowledge through Making -
Craft Unbound
Emerging from an exhibition of the same name, the blog explores developments in contemporary craft with a particular focus on 'Poor Craft': the use of materials of little or no value used to create new craft objects.
Craft Unbound -
Craftivism
Combining the ideas of craft and activism, Betsy Greer's writing is informed by her notion that crafters can be activists and activists can be crafters.
Craftivism -
Helen Carnac's Blog
Through her blog and her practice, maker and academic Helen Carnac explores the relationship between material, process and maker.
Helen Carnac's Blog -
Hobby Princess
Written by University of Helsinki academic Ulla-Maaria Engestrom, Hobby Princess records thoughts on fashion, crafting and technology.
Hobby Princess -
Making a Slow Revolution
A collaboration between Craftspace and Helen Carnac to explore the identity of craft within the Slow Movement.
Making a Slow Revolution -
NESTA Blogs
Thoughts from key members of the team at NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) relating to all aspects of innovation, from policy to practice.
NESTA Blogs -
Redefining Craft
American writer, critic and academic Dennis Stevens seeks to interpret contemporary art and craft practice with an interdisciplinary and critical perspective.
Redefining Craft -
The 'C' Word
Ceramicist Dr Claudia Clare discusses her interests in ceramics and craft practice against the backdrop of feminism, politics and global agendas relating to her thought provoking work.
The 'C' Word
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Academic Journals
Below is a selection of the key journals publishing papers on the practice of craft, design, art and design education, and arts research.
A larger selection of journals is available at our Research Library. A full list of those available can be downloaded from our Library webpage
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Arts Research Digest (Arts Research Limited)
Overview of recent and current research in the arts, media and cultural sectors around the world in digest form. Edited by Dr Nessa O'Mahony.
Arts Research Digest (Arts Research Limited) -
Cahiers métiers d'art ::: Craft Journal (Denis Longchamps)
A bi-annual Canadian publication of essays and reviews from international contributors presenting critical, historical and techinical research into local and international craft. In both French and English.
Cahiers métiers d'art ::: Craft Journal (Denis Longchamps) -
Design Management Journal (DMI Publications)
Articles and academic research exploring how design - in products, communication, and environments - is an essential resource, a component of every organisation.
Design Management Journal (DMI Publications) -
International Journal of Art and Design Education (Wiley-Blackwell and National Society for Education in Art and Design)
Journal covering ideas, practical developments and research findings in art, craft and design practices in all sectors of education. Edited by Jeff Adams, Dennis Atkinson, Paul Dash, Steve Herne, and Tara Page.
International Journal of Art and Design Education (Wiley-Blackwell and National Society for Education in Art and Design) -
Interpreting Ceramics (Interpreting Ceramics: Research Collaboration ICRC)
A free, open-access online journal exploring contemporary practices in ceramics. Edited by the ICRC based at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, Aberystwyth University, the University of the West of England, Bristol and Bath Spa University College.
Interpreting Ceramics (Interpreting Ceramics: Research Collaboration ICRC) -
Journal of Applied Arts and Health (Intellect)
Covers the effectiveness of interdisciplinary use of arts in health and arts for health. Edited by Ross Prior (University of Northampton), Mitchell Kossak (Lesley University), Hayley Singlehurst (University of Northampton)
Journal of Applied Arts and Health (Intellect) -
Journal of Craft Research (Intellect)
Covers research into materials, processes, methods, concepts, aesthetic and style in any discipline area of the applied arts and crafts including craft education. Edited by Kristina Niedderer (University of Wolverhampton), Katherine Townsend (Nottingham Trent University).
Journal of Craft Research (Intellect) -
Journal of Modern Craft (Berg)
Covers the subject of craft both as an idea and as a field of practice, from the mid 19th century to the present day. Edited by Glenn Adamson (Victoria & Albert Museum, UK), Edward S. Cooke, Jr (Yale University, USA), Tanya Harrod (Royal College of Art, UK)
Journal of Modern Craft (Berg) -
Journal of Research Practice (Athabasca University Press)
Online open access inter-disciplinary journal covering topics such as research training, research design, research utilization, research policy and innovative forms of research. Edited by D. P. Dash, Hector R. Ponce.
Journal of Research Practice (Athabasca University Press)
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Discussion Groups
Discussion groups from JISCmail, the National Academic Mailing List Service, are useful networks for finding out about new publications, calls for papers and exhibitions, and for new approaches to research in the sector. Here we've listed a selection relevant to contemporary craft.
- Craft-based design education
- Design History Society
- National Association for Three Dimensional Design Education
- Special Interest Group in Experiential Knowledge
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Tell us about your work
If you would like to submit new research to this area, please contact us on reference@craftscouncil.org.uk
To find out more about the organisations producing research relevant to craft practice, visit our Research Links page.
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