Recent evidence suggests that there are significant links between a creative cluster in a geographical region and its innovative performance. Several mechanisms for this relationship have been presented. They include spatial externalities, economies of diversity, knowledge spill-overs and ‘creative buzz’. We are interested in the following two questions: What is the importance of the different mechanisms, through which creative clusters impact a region’s innovativeness? What is the relationship between specific characteristics of a creative cluster and the dynamics of innovation in the regional economy? NESTA aims to inform policymaking and development in the UK, so they’d like your proposals to focus on UK clusters and regions, and the implications for policy. They are especially interested in research proposals that use economics, quantitative methods, spatial modelling and network analysis techniques. They welcome case study-based and ethnographic approaches as long as they can generate wider, transferable implications and policy recommendations. Applications close on Tuesday, 28 October 2008.

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13 October 2008
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