1. Demonstrate knowledge of key cultural, theoretical, and creative concepts informed by relevant research within your discipline. Research Skills Knowledge & Understanding

2. Produce a creative artefact/s that responds to cultural or thematic research. Application & Problem Solving

3. Communicate research findings clearly using appropriate academic and/or creative formats for specialist and non-specialist audiences. Communication, Digital Literacy

4. Reflect on your strengths, development needs, and emerging creative identity. Reflection

This module is assessed by both a written and a creative submission. With an equal proportion of the grade weighting assigned, each must demonstrate equivalent depth of research and development, communicating clearly how final creative outputs respond and are inspired by contextual research and understanding. Students must submit:

Assessment 1: An Illustrated research report, submitted in a digital format, adhering to module guidance on academic structure, Harvard referencing.

Assessment 2: A creative/technical output. A discipline-specific creative artefact, utilising materials of choice, which must be negotiated with the module tutor in advance. Students may select materials and processes best suited to their discipline, strengths and development needs. The output should communicate research-informed ideas and concepts, demonstrating how cultural or thematic research has been translated into the final artefact.

Formative Assessment: Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

As you begin your creative degree, the first critical and contextual module encourages you to explore how societies’ cultures, subcultures and cultural identities may influence creative expression, enabling you to translate contextual research into practical outputs.

You will be introduced to the skills needed to conduct academic research within the conventions and expectations of study in Higher Education, learning how to work independently, reflect critically, and communicate effectively to non-specialist audiences.

This module will introduce, support, and develop your understanding of:
- Contexts - how they inform and influence creative practice.
- AI and its ethical uses in research and effective searching.
- Critical thinking and its applications.
- Harvard conventions and application of library resources.
- Basic theoretical frameworks, and enquiry-based experiences.

Cultural identity refers to lived experience and sense of belonging, formed through shared characteristics such as ethnicity, history, tradition, language, values and beliefs. This identity plays a significant role in shaping how we view ourselves and the world around us.

Within your investigation, you will have the opportunity to explore and reflect on topics relevant to your specific discipline, recognising and celebrating the diverse cultural identities of individuals, groups and communities.

The research produced will support your creative output for this module, so a deeper understanding of the connection between cultural identity and creative practice will be key to your progress and development.

This introductory contextual module enables you to explore diverse cultural identities and examine how they influence creative expression. You will choose a topic related to your discipline and undertake guided research that informs the development of a creative artefact or technical output using materials and processes of your choice. Through investigating and celebrating cultural identities, you will develop a stronger understanding of the relationship between culture and creative practice, supporting your transition into higher-level study.

Sessions will include:
Lectures
Workshop/ Lab/ Studio activities
Seminar discussions
Tutorials
Drop-in support sessions

Affuso, E. (2023) Sartorial fandom: Fashion, beauty culture, identity. 1st edn. Edited by E. Affuso and S. Scott. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.12315327 (Accessed: 14 January 2026).

Baddeley, G. (2016) Street culture: 50 years of subculture style. London: Plexus Publishing.

Collins, H. (2025) Creative research: Research theory and practice for the creative industries. 3rd edn. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Available at: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/creative-research-9781350330375/ (Accessed: 14 January 2026).

Cottrell, S. (2024) The study skills handbook. 6th edn. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Storey, J. (2024) Cultural theory and popular culture: An introduction. 10th edn. London: Routledge.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Media Store
- Betty Smithers Design collection