Explore creative practice, arts education and international collaboration with academics, artists and educators in Cambridge.

About this event

How can creative practice and education build connections across cultures, institutions and disciplines?

Join us for the Roots & Rhythms International Knowledge Exchange Symposium, hosted by Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University, in collaboration with International Visiting Academics and Scholars Ltd (IVAS).

The symposium brings together academics, artists, educators, researchers and creative practitioners to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore possibilities for future collaboration.

Through talks, questions and a concluding panel discussion, we will consider how international exchange shapes creative practice and education. Contributions draw on creative disciplines and education, connecting professional experience with wider questions about place, cultural identity and learning.

The symposium forms part of Roots & Rhythms Cambridge 2026, a wider programme of artist residencies, creative education, exhibition and international knowledge exchange.

What to expect:

• Presentations exploring creative practice, research and arts education

• Perspectives on intercultural exchange and international collaboration

• Questions and discussion with guest speakers

• Opportunities to meet colleagues across disciplines and institutions

• A concluding panel bringing the day’s conversations together

Speakers and contributions

Jeff Crosby: Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University

Observation to Imagination: an exploration of place through drawing

Professor Wu Jiang and Tan Tan: Central Academy of Fine Arts

Localised Exploration of Illustration and Book Art in Art Education

Professor Pamela Burnard: University of Cambridge

Why the plurality of creativities and the possibility of possibilities in professional practices matter?

Professor David Ferry: Royal Society of Printmakers London

Mining for Iron(y)

Professor David Mills: University of Oxford

Learning Otherwise: How the creative arts help us rethink ‘higher’ education

Marek Budzynski: London Film School

Shooting Films and Media in China over Two Decades

Dr Nick Gray: Bournemouth University

Socially Engaged Film from the City’s Margins

Darryl Clifton: University of the Arts London

Infinite Fracture

Symposium moderator: Minyan Hiam, Founder of IVAS and co-curator of Roots & Rhythms. Concluding panel moderators: Minyan Hiam and Jeff Crosby.

Programme overview

10.30 - Registration and welcome refreshments

11.00 - Opening remarks, followed by speaker presentations

13.00–14.00 - Lunch and networking

Afternoon - Further presentations, discussion and concluding panel

16.30 - Event ends and safe journey home

The running order may change to accommodate speakers’ travel arrangements.

Who should attend?

Academics, researchers, students, artists, educators, curators, cultural professionals and university partnership teams are welcome, alongside anyone interested in creative education and international knowledge exchange.

Registration and attendance

Attendance is free. Advance registration is required because venue capacity is limited.

Priority in the initial allocation of places may be given to:

• IVAS members

• Friends and invited guests of IVAS

• Anglia Ruskin University staff and students

Remaining places will be offered to other registered participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration records your interest and does not automatically guarantee a place. The organisers will contact you separately to confirm attendance. Please wait for confirmation before making travel arrangements.

If you can no longer attend, please let us know so your place can be offered to someone else.

Discover the exhibition

The accompanying Roots & Rhythms exhibition is curated by IVAS members and the Rusking Gallery curatorial team. Drawing on participating artists’ experiences at Aoshang Ancient Village in China, it explores place, memory, cultural heritage and belonging through contemporary artistic practice.

Public exhibition: 27 October–4 November 2026

Ruskin Gallery, Cambridge School of Art

Free admission during gallery opening hours.

Join the Private View

Monday 26 October 2026, 17.00–19.30

Meet participating artists and guests for exhibition viewing, conversation and refreshments. The Private View requires a separate booking:

Register for the Roots & Rhythms Private View (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/roots-and-rhythms-exhibition-private-view-tickets-1998426150412)

Accessibility and dietary requirements

Please tell us about any accessibility or dietary requirements when registering so we can discuss arrangements with you.

View campus directions and gallery accessibility information (https://www.aru.ac.uk/arts-humanities-education-and-social-sciences/ruskin-gallery/visit-us)

Contact

For programme and registration enquiries, contact info@ivas.org.uk.

Organisers

International Visiting Academics and Scholars Ltd (IVAS

Description supplied by the event organiser.