Reflections on the impact of creation research, practice-based research, and practice as research, and how to define and maximize that impact

ABSTRACT

In this contribution, I reflect on creation research/practice-based research/practice as research. I mostly explore the notion of the impact of such practices. I underline the fact that impact can mean various things depending on the type of projects: it can be emotional; it can be a way to influence; or it can act more subtly on the subconscious mind. But impact is always about the intention to induce change. I also discuss the difficulty, most of the time, to have a quantitative approach to impact, since it is often difficult to measure. I suggest, instead, to include a reflection on the planning of impact and its maximization before embarking on a project. I illustrate those points with various examples taken from my own practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Impact
• inducing change
• creation research
• practice-based research
• practice as research
• epistemology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This publication was made possible through a funding from the Excellence Initiative of Aix Marseille University, A*Midex, which is part of the French ‘Programme Investissements d’Avenir’ [grant number AMX-19-IET-005].

Notes on contributors

Ivan Magrin-Chagnolleau

Ivan Magrin-Chagnolleau is an artist philosopher who has been involved in art making as well as academic research and teaching for most of his life. He is affiliated with the CNRS in France, and currently works with the PRISM Laboratory in Marseille, France, a joint-lab between the CNRS and Aix Marseille University, investigating on the relationships between art and science. He is also affiliated with Chapman University in California, USA. His interests include: the creative process and its phenomenological dimension, art and philosophy, artificial intelligence and creativity, art and spirituality. https://www.ivanhereandnow.com/research