Creative practitioner and educator Frazer Meakin is undertaking a practice-based Fellowship in Residence to explore the relationship between young people, technology and their careers in the context of the world right now.

Led by the University of Bristol, the MyWorld project aims to position the West of England as an international trailblazer in creative media production and technology. The programme is forging dynamic collaborations between academia and industry to progress technological innovation, establish new facilities, offer skills training and drive inward investment, raising the region’s profile on the global stage.

Supported by MyWorld, Frazer will spend 10 months embedded within Watershed’s Talent Development team exploring the question, Making the World Differently: What skills and training opportunities do young people need for a career in creative technologies? During his time with us, Frazer will engage secondary school students and early stage creatives in conversations, workshops and thinking, developing activities to produce a set of reflections on what they need to survive and thrive.

Victoria Tillotson, Watershed’s Talent Development Lead, says:

“It was evident from much of the work and research that we and others have done in the sector, what creative technology industries want from young people. Now, through this Fellowship we want to find out what young people want from them. We hope that the knowledge and ideas we generate will contribute to catalysing a more equitable creative technologies sector that feels relevant and accessible to the incoming workforce.”

Prof Kirsten Cater, at the University of Bristol, says:

“We are very excited to collaborate with Frazer and Watershed on this Fellowship. Discovering more and hearing directly from young people about their knowledge and preconceptions of careers and skills in the creative technology industries will help to direct our ongoing MyWorld activities and support to develop a diverse talent pipeline for the sector.”

Meet the Fellow:

Frazer Meakin is a Bristol-based director (theatre and film), movement director and educator. Through this fellowship, Frazer hopes to unravel the intricate relationship between the education system, the creative technology sector’s needs and the perspectives of young people. Frazer’s work will provide valuable insights that can inform and shape pathways, supporting the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to flourish in the constantly evolving, creative technology landscape.

Frazer says:

“As an artist and educationalist, I am a huge advocate of encouraging yes in a world of no. So, for me this exploration is not just a scholarly pursuit, it is a commitment to shaping an equitable future where young people are empowered to thrive in a world brimming with possibilities. Beyond the Fellowship, I hope this work will feed back into my own practice, and that the learnings shared with the wider education and creative technology sectors, will contribute to shaping dynamic and responsive pathways for aspiring professionals. Pathways that nurture creativity, technological proficiency and adaptability, truly reflecting the needs of the next generation and the future they want to create.”

The Fellowship in Residence will run until September 2024. If you are interested in speaking with Frazer, booking a session or want to know more, please drop us a line at talentdevelopment@watershed.co.uk

MyWorld is funded through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) ‘Strength in Places fund.’ It’s main delivery partners are: University of Bristol, University of the West of England, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, Watershed, Digital Catapult, Aardman Animations, Lux Aeterna, Esprit Film & Television, Bristol Old Vic & Opposable Games.

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