The cultural industries are the first of seven growth sectors in Scotland’s Economic Strategy (Scottish Government 2011). Their growth, vitality and productivity depend on collaboration with researchers and educators. To date, such collaboration between Scotland’s researchers, practitioners and policy-makers in the cultural industries is scarce. The Programme aimed to address this shortcoming and thus contribute to SUII's aim of mobilising existing research for the use of the wider society.

The Programme brought together academics, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss current and future challenges to the cultural industries in the areas of internationalisation, leadership and diversity.  It aimed to facilitate proactive debate and agenda development between academics and non-academics that supports growth, vitality and productivity in Scotland’s cultural industries.

The Programme featured expert speakers from academia and industry with a reputation as thought leaders in the cultural industries in Scotland, UK and internationally.