Report

In search of equality and recognition: On the potential of collaboration at the intersection of research and creative practice

Collaborations between research and the creative sector play an important role in addressing societal issues. However, as a new research report by CWTS and the Boekman Foundation shows, these collaborations are under pressure and face various challenges.

Author

Andrea Reyes Elizondo, Maxime van Haeren, Jenneke Harings, Sita Struijke, Vincent Traag, Inge van der Weijden

Date

18 May 2026

What forms of collaboration exist between researchers and the cultural and creative sectors in the Netherlands? What are the themes and objectives of these collaborations? Which factors contribute to their success, and which act as barriers? And how are these collaborations supported in terms of funding and policy? These are the key questions addressed in this research. A qualitative and quantitative network analysis, conducted by the Boekman Foundation and CWTS respectively, provides answers to the above questions and offers a glimpse into the future. The research combines five focus groups with more than thirty experts and a survey of 550 respondents.

The findings of the study are clear: society is still not making sufficient use of the potential of creative research. To change this, three things are needed: fairer funding and policy frameworks, a structural infrastructure for knowledge-sharing, and equality in terms of resources, decision-making power and recognition. 

The report consists of several sections. CWTS is responsible for the quantitative research, described in Part 3 of the research report. The summary, introduction, conclusion and appendices are the joint work of CWTS and the Boekman Foundation. The study was commissioned by the Creative Industries Fund NL, the  Cultural Participation Fund  and Regieorgaan SIA.