Recognising all forms of knowledge: what can we learn from creative practice research to benefit all and enable reproducible research?

Have you ever witnessed the dynamic, iterative process of a musician experimenting with sound, only to see this represented as a static sound file and no easy way to represent the narrative that evidences its research element? This disconnect between creative practice and traditional research frameworks hinders discoverability, transparency of access and re-use. We propose a solution that recognises the "hidden side" of research, empowering creative disciplines like music, dance, and visual arts to be fully recognised within a Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable (FAIR) Research landscape.

Research reward and recognition systems, infrastructure, and policies often assume single, static, text-based outputs, with non-text outputs an add on, making it challenging for creative practice research to be captured let alone discovered. Open access is seen as simply making the entirety of an output ‘open’, neglecting the uniqueness of practice disciplines where the connections between the elements matter as much as the individual output. This mismatch stifles the richness of creative research, hindering its potential for interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and societal impact.

We present key findings of the Practice Research Voices (PR Voices) and the complementary Sustaining Practice Assets for Research, Knowledge, Learning and Engagement (SPARKLE) projects, funded by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Council in 2022. 

One of the outcomes of this work was the development of a workflow framework capturing both process (practice) and product in diverse formats (e.g., audio, video, movement notation). It respects the unique challenges of non-linear, iterative research, empowering researchers to share their "hidden side" data alongside traditional outputs. By fostering deeper understanding of practice-based research processes, we aim to enhance transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration within FAIR research principles.

We explore how emerging digital methods and standards like the framework can enable capture and sharing of research data in A&H, addressing:

• Workflow integration: Seamlessly integrating the framework within existing repository platforms.
• Non-linearity challenges: Capturing the iterative and embodied aspects of practice research.
• Skills development: Building researcher capacity for platform adoption.
• Interdisciplinarity potential: Facilitating collaboration across diverse research disciplines.

Our analysis demonstrates the framework's positive impact on research transparency, reproducibility, and collaborative potential.

Conclusion:

This work-in-progress presentation invites feedback and discussion. We aim to raise awareness, encourage adoption of the framework, and initiate collaborations to further develop and refine this approach. By embracing the multifaceted nature of creative practice research, we can unlock its full potential within the FAIR Research landscape, enriching the scholarly ecosystem for all, and fully recognise all forms of knowledge.