Warwick research helps secure major shift in national cultural policy

The change follows nearly two years of sustained collaboration between Associate Professor David Wright and not-for-profit organisation Culture Commons, along with a network of partners across the cultural, creative and academic sectors.

A major collaborative research effort

In 2024, Dr Wright received funding from UKRI’s Policy Support Fund to contribute to a national programme examining how cultural policy decisions can be made, or made accountable, to local and regional populations. Working in partnership with Culture Commons, the team developed The Future of Cultural Devolution in the UK, a comprehensive policy report drawing on evidence from 30 core partners, six universities and more than 250 organisations.

This research demonstrated the need for culture to be treated not as a secondary outcome of economic or regeneration policy, but as a central driver of meaningful, place‑based devolution.

Direct influence on national policy

The findings informed high‑level discussions with Secretaries of State, Ministers and MPs, and shaped the amendments ultimately proposed to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

This marks a major shift in how culture is positioned within national governance frameworks, ensuring it is embedded as a central driver of meaningful devolution.

Next steps: turning legislation into action

With the legislative change now in motion, attention is turning to implementation. Culture Commons is expanding the “think and do tank” on cultural devolution to support local and regional authorities, sector bodies and funders and funders in translating the new provision into practical change on the ground.

Meanwhile, Dr Wright is working with colleagues on a new AHRC funded project to catalyse devolved cultural policy making within the context of UK devolution and the UK Government Missions.