Unit information: Creative Innovation in Practice in 2027/28

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Creative Innovation in Practice
Unit code INOVM0018
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Senior
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department Centre for Innovation
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

The ambition to innovate is one thing; successfully delivering it in a creative context is quite another. Many individuals and organisations find it challenging to implement change, create value, or achieve these goals efficiently and sustainably. This unit equips you with advanced questioning techniques, such as hermeneutic and abductive inquiry, to explore the origins and dynamics of creative innovation. Through interactive workshops and real-world case studies, you will develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate and influence innovation in entrepreneurial contexts.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study

In this unit, you will be equipped with the critical contextual understanding needed to drive innovation within creative organisations. It forms a key part of your Master's programme, specifically focusing on creative industries. By examining diverse innovation case studies across various disciplines and industries, bridging theory and practice, preparing you for leadership in creative industries.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit uses a diverse range of illustrative case studies of creative innovation. These examples will develop your understanding of how problems are addressed and opportunities realised in the professional world. By showcasing how innovators, and entrepreneurs enable innovation across different industries and contexts, you'll see how your developing change making and venture-creation skills can be effectively applied. You'll also gain a deeper understanding of the academic research that seeks to analyse and codify these innovation processes, identifying repeatable patterns for driving change.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of this unit

By the end of this unit, you will develop a strong understanding of the specific contexts in which you might work to create impact and drive change. This will boost both your competence and confidence in the innovation process, enhancing your understanding of when, where, how, and with whom different innovation approaches are most effective. You'll be able to articulate the importance of understanding the context of your innovation efforts before developing solutions. Finally, you'll be able to critically evaluate and discuss the issue of problem-solving, and strategic thinking.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key theories and professional practices of creative innovation.
  2. Apply, analyse, and critically evaluate the practice of innovation using domain-relevant tools and approaches.
  3. Reflect critically on current and future contexts and trends in creative innovation.
  4. Present analysis and recommendations on the practice of innovation in a persuasive and professional manner.

How you will learn

The unit employs inquiry-based, interactive workshops that simulate professional design and innovation environments. Case studies from the creative industries will provide practical context, with activities designed to build student confidence and autonomy.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative): 

Case Study Samples (individual assessment), up to 500 words (0%, Not Required for Credit) 

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Case Study (individual assessment), 5000 words or equivalent (100%) [ILOs 1,2,3, and 4]

When assessment does not go to plan

When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. INOVM0018).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.