Traditional understandings of innovation emphasise the importance of science and technology research. In contrast, this paper investigates the role that arts and humanities research plays in the innovation system.

The UK Arts and Humanities Research Council provides funding for students undertaking Masters degrees and doctoral research in the arts and humanities. Approximately 40 per cent of their funding is spent in support of postgraduate research and training. In 2005/06 this amounted to just over 33 million. It is important for the AHRC to understand...

In recent years there has been mounting concern to understand the distribution, utility and influence of research findings in non-academic contexts. This concern originates in part from political imperatives to demonstrate public value, for research to move towards pragmatic considerations in wider public discourse, in cultural, industry and policy environments.