New partnership to boost collaboration between Higher Education and arts and cultural sector

Leading Knowledge Exchange centre, the National Centre for Academic and Cultural Exchange (NCACE) has joined the School of Advanced Study. 

Funded by Research England, NCACE works in partnership with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the country to support and facilitate Knowledge Exchange between Higher Education and the arts and cultural sector.  

Since launching in 2020, NCACE has worked to evidence and showcase the social, cultural, environmental and economic pacts of Knowledge Exchange, and works in key areas including: 

• Collaborations and networks development  

• Skills and capacity building 

• Evidencing and impact development 

• Showcasing and communicating findings to a national audience 

The move to SAS has been supported by Research England in recognition of NCACE's valuable work. Joining SAS will enable the Centre to build on their achievements by increasing capacity and working strategically alongside colleagues at the School, supporting research impact in the humanities. 

Director of Research, Research England, Steven Hill said: 
“I am very pleased to announce our continued investment in NCACE as it moves into its second iteration. Since its launch, it has helped bring about a considerable step change in supporting universities in undertaking and understanding collaboration and cultural knowledge exchange with the arts and cultural sector.  

"NCACE’s move to SAS will help grow and amplify this much-valued work in nurturing, evidencing and showcasing the vital benefits and wide-ranging impacts supported through cultural collaboration.” 
 
Professor Jo Fox, Dean of SAS and Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Public Engagement, UOL said: 
 
“I’m absolutely delighted to be able to welcome NCACE to the School of Advanced Study. I have been so impressed with NCACE’s work over the years, and we are thrilled to be working closely with colleagues in NCACE, learning from their expertise, at this critical time for the arts and culture.  

"There are many synergies between NCACE and the School, as a national centre for the promotion and facilitation of research in the humanities – we are genuinely excited by the possibilities that this new partnership creates.” 
  
NCACE Co-Directors Evelyn Wilson and Suzie Leighton said: 
  
“We are deeply grateful for the continued support of Research England and positively welcome this move to SAS, an institution that we have long admired.  

“We look forward to working together with SAS, our regional hub partners and our wonderful communities of practice across HE and the arts and culture sector as we move into this exciting new chapter in our development.” 

Find out more about NCACE via their website and subscribe to their monthly bulletin for news, events and updates.