Future Screens NI evaluation

Future Screens NI was a research or R&D (Research & Development) programme spanning 2018 to 2023. The programme was the result of a joint bid by Ulster University (UU) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) (in collaboration with industry and public sector partners) to a new UK-wide initiative, the Creative Industries Clusters Programme (CICP); supported by AHRC as part of the Industrial Strategy. Nine Creative Clusters were supported across the UK. Total investment in Future Screens NI by the AHRC was £5.7million.

This evaluation was commissioned by the Future Screens NI Management Team. Its task is to focus on the key changes, impacts and learning of the Future Screens NI programme to inform future planning by the partners and make recommendations for the wider Northern Ireland cultural economy. The evaluation took place between August 2022 and 2023 and comprised a desk review of programme data and policy supported by academic research; interviews and focus groups with key team members, industry partners (all beneficiaries) and public officials from public agencies and departments. In total, 37 people contributed.