The Centre for Excellence in Learning (CEL) and the Centre for Qualitative Research (CQR) are natural allies for creative endeavours–in research and dissemination for CQR, and education or CEL. Members from both centres will be working together to share ideas, skills and resources across the fusion areas of Education, Research and Professional Practice.
CEL are developing a strong creative strand, led by Curie Scott with Lego, Collage and Origami workshops continuing to be taken forward in the University. For example, using collage with 60 post-graduate research students and Lego with MA Corporate Communication students. Origami is used across education and research, read a report on the Origami in Science, Maths and Education conference here.
CQR is led by Kip Jones, Centre Director, and Caroline Ellis-Hill, Deputy Director.
CQR members are known for:
- Involving creativity in humanising health and social care;
- gathering data in novel ways;
- participant involvement at every stage of research and dissemination;
- unique ways of interpreting and disseminating data;
- and new ways of writing–including fiction, script-writing, poetry, and auto-ethnography.
CQR has been the home of the development of Performative Social Science (PSS) for more than fourteen years, led by Kip Jones. An arts-led approach to research and its dissemination, it is not simply art for art’s sake, but based in the theoretical premises of Relational Aesthetics. Recently lauded by Sage Publications, they described PSS as pioneering work that will ‘propel arts-led research forward’ and be a ‘valued resource for students and researchers for years to come’.
CQR consists of several subgroups:
- Arts in Research Collaborative
- Humanisation Special Interest Group
- Narrative Research Group
- “Gang of Four” Doctoral Methodological Support Group
This year’s CQR ‘Go Create!’ seminars support the BU 2025 call for “Advancing knowledge, creativity and innovation”. List of dates and topics can be found here.
CEL and CQR are excited about more endeavours together in 2018 and beyond.
Join us in our mutual creative endeavours!
BU Research contributes to National Creativity, Arts, Health and Wellbeing report
VC staff award 2017 winner Development day hosted










Geography and Environmental Studies academics – would you like to get more involved in preparing our next REF submission?
Reminder: Recharge Your Research Routine Next Week for World Wellbeing Week
Boost Your Research Toolkit: Digital Confidence & AI Literacy Workshop – Friday 26 June 10am-12pm
BU students’ publishing success
BU presentation at the University of Bristol
Horizon Europe Cluster 3 (Civil Security for Society) 2026 Calls Now Open
MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 Call Information Webinar
ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026: Application Deadline Extended to Thursday 25 June 2026
Reminder: Register for the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 Information Session
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Apply now
ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Webinar
Update on UKRO services
European research project exploring use of ‘virtual twins’ to better manage metabolic associated fatty liver disease