ICCE research shapes recommendations of government review

Work by Dr George Musgrave from the Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship has been cited as key evidence in the recently published Good Work Review by the creative industries Policy and Evidence Centre.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) The Good Work Review represents the first comprehensive examination of job quality across the creative industries sector. The review is based on 40 separate indicators from evidence submitted by 120 organisations, and centralises issues of fair pay, flexible working, and employee representation.  

While the creative industries are typified by having high levels of job satisfaction the review found that negative factors, including poor workplace cultures, unequal access, and inequitable working conditions also featured. 

Dr Musgrave’s evidence was submitted alongside Sally Anne Gross from the University of Westminster, and, drawing on his own research specialism and their collaborative work highlighted mental health as a key challenge in the music industry. An extended extract of Dr Musgrave’s evidence submission is cited in the report while also shaping the report ‘s call for ‘Healthy, respectful, and inclusive environments’.  

The Good Work Review’s recommendations on the need to improve worker representation,’ and its suggestions on “Actions to protect and improve worker representation and voice within workplaces’ were informed by Dr Musgrave's work and others working in this area. The report highlights four priorities and 16 recommendations, which will drive change in the creative industries.  

The Good Work Review can be downloaded from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre.