New PhD programme launched to tackle diversity and sustainability in the UK screen industries
A major new PhD training programme has opened for applications, bringing together the Universities of Warwick and Leeds with fully funded doctoral places, new widening-participation measures, and industry collaboration at its core.
The Creative Bridges scholarship programme aims to expand and diversify the next generation of screen-industry researchers and focuses on two urgent sector challenges: sustainability and diversity.
Building on established screen-media clusters in the Midlands and Yorkshire, Creative Bridges will give 20 fully funded doctoral researchers the chance to work directly with industry partners, developing the skills, insight and experience needed to work across academic and creative industry environments.
A suite of widening participation measures, designed to open doors to those who may not have considered doctoral study before, are built into the programme, including a new advocacy programme that provides every applicant with the opportunity to be paired with an academic mentor to guide them through the application process. There are also ringfenced studentships for those with protected characteristics.
Dr David Wright, Director of Graduate Studies in the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies at the University of Warwick, said:
“The screen industries urgently need researchers who bring fresh perspectives, lived experiences and new ideas to address the challenges of sustainability and diversity. Creative Bridges has been designed to meet that need. Our advocacy programme is a significant step forward in expanding who feels able to apply for doctoral study, and helping applicants make informed, well-supported decisions about their futures. We hope many will seize the opportunity to apply.”
Through regional partnerships and live collaborations with industry organisations, the programme aims to model new ways for universities and creative sectors to work together on shared challenges, and spotlight strength beyond London.
Professor Joanne Garde-Hansen, Head of the School of Media and Communication and Academic Lead for Creative Bridges at Leeds, said:
“Creative Bridges is not only an ambitious research training programme – it’s an invitation to people who may never have seen themselves represented in the screen industries or in academia. By integrating pioneering widening-participation tools into the recruitment process, we want to open doors to applicants from a broader range of backgrounds and ensure that talent, curiosity and commitment are what matter most. This is an opportunity to shape the future of screen culture in ways that are both inclusive and sustainable, and we are excited to support applicants every step of the way.”
Creative Bridges runs from 2026 to 2033 and is funded by a prestigious Doctoral Focal AwardLink opens in a new window from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and InnovationLink opens in a new window (UKRI), which supports areas of strategic importance across the arts and humanities.
Applications are open now and close on 20 April, 2026. Full details, eligibility information and guidance on how to apply are available on the Creative Bridges website.
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Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
Ann Baylis, Media and Communication Officer
ann.baylis@warwick.ac.uk / 07876 876937
About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.