Masters students, Diana Trantina (Russia) and Dana Muntean (Moldova) from the Centre's MA in Creative and Media Enterprises were appointed as Royal Society of the Arts Fellows in November 2013 to conduct an extensive study into artisanship in the twenty-first century and investigate how innovation and entrepreneurship can be cultivated, particularly within post-industrial regions such as the West Midlands.

Dana and Diana will present their interim findings from the Artisan 21 Catalyst Project together with Paul Hardin Kapp, a Fullbright Scholar from the University of Illinois, currently based at the University of Birmingham, who will present his current research on how and why heritage places, specifically post-industrial ones such as the Jewellery Quarter, Sheffield's Little Mester Yards, and Ironbridge, are suitable spaces for innovation and entrepreneurship.

It is hoped that workshop participants will support the research and help produce an Artisan21 Manifesto and as well as explore some key questions:

· Will graduates see these developments as an opportunity to set up their own business?

· Does it present a viable alternative to pursuing a career in ‘traditional’ sectors?

· Can the new technologies help to bring about the next Industrial Revolution?

· Will the pursuit of creativity and innovation begin to blur the lines between work and leisure?

· Is there a life for post-industrial spaces beyond their rich heritage?

· Do these developments open up the door for more multi-disciplinary teaching activities?

· Or will young people adopt a ‘dammit, let’s just do it’ attitude and circumvent the ‘normal’ way of doing things?

The workshop will take place 6.00 - 8.00pm on Tuesday 3rd June 2014 with refreshments and networking afterwards in G50, Millburn House. Please email Ruth Leary if you would like to attend or require further details; r.leary@warwick.ac.uk.