Alchemists Gold – REF Practice Boxes for disseminating creative practice research
As a researcher at the intersection of creative practice and scholarly inquiry, I’ve had the privilege of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of academic research. My recent work involved an in-depth analysis of the Central School of Speech and Drama’s innovative 2021 REF submission, which introduced ‘REF practice boxes’ as a compelling option for creative practice researchers. The culmination of this research is presented in a recent research presentation, “Alchemists Gold,” where I offer a nuanced exploration of these submissions, providing insights on publishing, disseminating, and peer-reviewing non-textual creative practice research.
Based on a detailed analysis of the CSS&D REF Boxes, my findings separate the output elements found in the boxes into ‘Submission Outputs’ and ‘Contextual Components.’ The former includes diverse media such as VR360 videos and scholarly articles, while the latter covers supplementary materials that provide background and support to the main research—things like press reviews and audience feedback. In my presentation, I further unpack the categorisation of these elements and elucidate their broader implications within the field of creative practice research.
A central theme of “Alchemists Gold” is the critical role of documentation and communication. For us as researchers, creation is merely the beginning. To effectively present and share our work with the world is an equally vital part of our scholarly journey. My presentation provides strategic guidance on documenting originality, proving significance, and demonstrating the rigour of our work. I recommend that researchers maintain a comprehensive research journal, actively engage with peers for feedback, and thoughtfully present their work in a way that highlights the research process and its insights.
I also address the unique challenges posed by non-textual submissions. My recommendations suggest embracing digital media to contextualise research accessibly and maintaining records of engagement to evidence the reception of our work by the public and the academic community. The checklist that I’ve developed from these findings provides suggestions for best practices that are instrumental not just for REF submissions, but as a blueprint for future research projects across disciplines.
The real value of “Alchemists Gold” lies in its methodical approach to unravelling the complexities of creative practice research within the REF framework. Its key output is a checklist designed to be an essential resource for researchers seeking to confidently navigate this process, ensuring that their creativity and scholarly rigour are effectively showcased.
This presentation is, in essence, a call to my peers in the academic community to re-evaluate and refine their strategies for disseminating creative practice research outputs. It’s an advocacy piece for the recognition of the work of David Harradine and the team at CSS&D, urging that their innovative use of REF Practice Boxes be acknowledged and valued. For those of us engaged in this vibrant field, “Alchemists Gold” is a call to action for creating impactful research that makes waves both within the academic realm and beyond.