Crafting professionals: professional development and entrepreneurship in UK crafts higher education

Abstract

Situated within the context of declining participation in and provision of craft higher education, this paper explores pedagogical framings of professional development in UK crafts higher education (HE) and skills for independent craft practice. Through the analysis of online courses descriptions from a sample of undergraduate craft programmes across multiple disciplines and regions in England, I examine educational practices and the ways in which craft, professional practice and entrepreneurship are conceptualised within HE. From this, I reflect on approaches taken to contemporary practice and how the presence or absence of discussion on craft and business could impact the practices of future professionals. This is combined with findings from interviews with four early-career practitioners, in which I reflect on the experience of professional development within HE and identify priority skills and resources including recommendations for additional support requirements within and outside of HE. The paper also highlights a need for further in-depth research into the influence of HE training on professional development for craft.