Dr Louise Hardwick, Senior Lecturer in French and AHRC Early Career Leadership Fellow, and Alper Dervish, Director and Consultant at the Mockingbird Theatre and Bar, an SME based at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham’s Creative Quarter, have been collaborating for some months.

Mockingbird Theatre and  (c. Mockingbird Theatre)

Together, they are presenting practical tips for collaborations between SMEs and academics at the first gathering of the AHRC Commons on Tuesday 21 June in York.

Their talk is called: “When The Mockingbird met French Studies…” and will discuss insights into the exchange of ideas and good practice between academics and businesses in the arts and cultural sector. The event will help the AHRC to build a shared case for the importance of arts and humanities research to UK businesses and the general public.

Their fantastic image of the Mockingbird was chosen to head up the Collaborate section of the programme for the AHRC Commons: (see p.3).

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funds world-class, independent researchers in a wide range of subjects: ancient history, modern dance, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, English literature, design, the creative and performing arts, and much more.

This financial year the AHRC will spend approximately £98 million to fund research and postgraduate training in collaboration with a number of partners. The quality and range of research supported by this investment of public funds not only provides social and cultural benefits but also contributes to the economic success of the UK.