The Impact of XR Stories and SIGN on the Local and National Economy
Why are XR Stories and SIGN so important? The screen industries are a catalyst for economic growth in Yorkshire and the Humber. Screen industries are film, TV, games, and digital media more broadly. Some of the fastest growing companies in the screen industries in Yorkshire and Humber have worked with XR Stories and SIGN. The British Film Institute (BFI) identified Yorkshire and the Humber as an investment area for the growth of screen industries. The University of York were funded to create XR Stories and SIGN to bolster research and development into Screen Industries and contribute to Yorkshire’s growth in this area. Both XR Stories and SIGN work together to make the region the UK’s centre for digital creativity, and a model of diverse and inclusive activity.
What do XR Stories and SIGN do?
XR Stories is a partnership between the University of York, Screen Yorkshire and the British Film Institute to support research and development for the economic growth of screen industries focused companies working in the Yorkshire and Humber region. The Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN) is a parallel project based at the University of York, which aims to empower people and support growth in the screen industries in Yorkshire and the Humber. SIGN also partners with universities in the region: York St John, Huddersfield, Leeds, Leeds Trinity, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield, Hull, York, and Bradford. Collaborations between XR Stories, SIGN and innovative companies are enabling Yorkshire and the Humber to seize opportunities for jobs and growth.
What has been achieved so far?
£1.8m
invested in collaborative R&D projects
£3.6m leveraged in co-investment
14 50 5
collaborative R&D projects
8
young XR projects
partnerships with SMEs
6
PhDs with industry
strategic XR projects
What kind of companies has XR Stories supported?
70% 53% BUT
in Yorkshire and Humber
in screen industries
not just screen industries a heterogenous group of activities that goes beyond TV, film and games
COMPANY AGE AND SIZE
39% 36% 30% 11+ years
5 years or less
1000+ employees
Predominantly small companies - have more to gain from R&D capacity of
How has SIGN supported the screen industries sector?
Identifying current and future skills gaps
Online and face-to-face workshops and mentoring
Development of professional training programmes
36 Talent development and management and leadership training
Strong focus on equality, diversity and inclusion
SIGN internships secured
What are the reported benefits of SIGN?
BUSINESSES
UNIVERSITIES
Personal and professional development
Providing talent with relevant skills
Developing students’ applied knowledge
Building portfolio, experience and networks
Helping focus skills and training requirements
Placements leading to employment opportunities
Providing additional resources for projects
Increasing student employability and graduate outcomes
STUDENTS
Improving understanding of skills needed by businesses, whilst strengthening networks
To find out more visit: xrstories.co.uk and screen-network.org.uk
The Impact of XR Stories and SIGN on the Local and National Economy Designed by Nifty Fox Creative, 2021.