SHIFT

SHIFT 2019
The first SHIFT programme took place from 9-13 September 2019 in Glasgow. Delivered in partnership with the Cultural Enterprise Office, sixty students and recent graduates from all three institutions took part in an intensive, week-long series of workshops, small breakout conversations, creative activities and one-to-one clinics.

Guest speakers included entrepreneur and TV presenter, Amar Latif, BBC Content Editor Sharon Mann and Jamie Jefferson from digital agency Equator. The week was an outstanding success and feedback from the participants confirmed that the programme had motivated and inspired them to achieve their creative ambitions.

SHIFT 2020 was a week of interactive online workshops, activities, break-out conversations and reflections facilitated by leaders in design innovation, performing and production arts, screen, curation and creative project management - amongst others.

Working with their peer group from several institutions, across a range of disciplines and different skills, participants learned the collaborative, practical, creative and business skills necessary to make the shift from being a student to becoming an independent professional practitioner in the cultural and creative industries.

With short lively teaching sessions participants had access to professional practitioners associated with their own specialism or stage of development, meaning that they were able to co-curate their own SHIFT programme to gain advice and perspective from those working in fields of most interest to them.

Over 100 students and recent graduates participated from across the 3 partner institutions and 4 other universities.

The programme was delivered online w/c 5th September to over 100 students and recent graduates from the three partner institutions.   Starting with "Establishing your mindset" the participants were taken through the practicalities of business models, branding, PR and selling - all the things they need to be successful as  business or freelancer in the creative industries. 

In 2022 the success of SHIFT continued online with just under 100 participants including 30 from QMU.  Running from 5-9 September 2022  the programme covered a fantastic range of topics focused on:   Establishing your Mindset; Discovering your Model; Nailing the Practicalities; Telling your Story; and Branding and Marketing   In 2022 we also successfully launched SHIFT PLUS, a new optional credit rated pathway for participants, (SCQF Credits 20 at SCQF Level 11).

Find out more about SHIFT 2022  

Working across a range of disciplines and different backgrounds and skills, participants will learn the collaborative, practical, creative and business skills necessary to make the “shift” from being a student to becoming an independent professional practitioner in the creative industries

SHIFT 2023 will run from Monday 4 September to Friday 8 September 2023. It will be an online event.   
For more information please watch our SHIFT 2022 film (SHIFT 2022) or contact rkedu@qmu.ac.uk

Visit SHIFT official website