Arts Council of Wales Presents Creative Learning Research at BERA Conference 2026

The Arts Council of Wales took part in the BERA Conference 2026 held on 9 September, presenting insights from a collaborative international research project led by Dr Lisa Stephenson of Leeds Beckett University. The project, supported by the Arts Council, explored the role of creativity in education, focusing on the experiences and voices of young people and student teachers across Wales.

Working alongside Swansea University, The Democracy Box, Talking Shop, and artists Rufus Mufasa and Phil Okwedy, the research engaged a diverse group of young people through creative activities designed to centre their lived experiences. These young participants expressed a clear desire for education to foster genuine relationships, creative freedom, inclusion, fairness, and understanding.

Concerns raised by the young people included wellbeing, identity, bias, and barriers to learning. They emphasised the need for education to feel more human, compassionate, and responsive to their needs. Similarly, many student teachers reported challenges such as a lack of confidence in their creativity and difficulty connecting their personal values with their professional aspirations.

Both groups highlighted the importance of belonging and acceptance, wanting to be seen as whole individuals rather than pressured to conform to specific expectations. The parallels between young learners and student teachers were striking: both seek educational environments where they feel heard, valued, and understood.

The research challenges the common perception of creativity as merely an enhancement to education. Instead, it suggests that creative approaches are fundamental in developing key capabilities such as empathy, reflection, collaboration, confidence, ethical awareness, and agency. These skills are increasingly important as education systems face challenges related to wellbeing, learner engagement, and teacher retention.

Presenting these findings at BERA marks a significant step in sharing knowledge and building evidence for creativity’s role in education. The project will continue to involve young people to ensure their voices shape future teacher education. Additionally, the Arts Council of Wales plans to advocate for greater involvement of artists and creative practitioners in initial teacher education, fostering stronger connections between the arts and education sectors.