Goldsmiths Uni Launches FOCI to Boost UK Creatives

April 21, 2026

Creatives in the UK are getting a boost thanks to a new institute launched by Goldsmiths, University of London. The FOCI (Futures of Creativity and Innovation) Institute aims to help the sector navigate rapid technological and social changes.

Shaping Brighter Futures for Creatives

The new FOCI institute at Goldsmiths, University of London will bring together the university's expertise in creative research, human-technology interaction, and policy. It's designed to help creators, audiences, and communities build more hopeful futures.

Professor Jonathan Freeman, the Director of FOCI, said the institute is relevant to industry, funders, and policymakers. "We expect it to generate significant external revenue – through research grants, commissioned work and philanthropic support," he explained.

This income is not for its own sake. It's fuel to tackle big, sector-defining challenges. The goal is to benefit creatives, communities, and the wider economy.

Tackling Big Challenges

FOCI will focus on key areas. These include the future of screen, games, and performance sectors. It will also look at rapid technological change, especially AI.

The climate emergency and economic instability are also on the agenda. Shifts in work, skills, and wellbeing for creative workers are crucial.

Professor Freeman added that FOCI builds on 25 years of collaborative work. "It gives it a coherent, public-facing home that carries the Goldsmiths name," he said.

Noemi Ponzoni, Chief Strategy Officer, highlighted the need to bridge gaps. "FOCI is here to bridge those gaps – to create a system that is agile enough to test ideas quickly, grounded enough in research to be robust, and connected enough to industry and policy to actually make a difference," she stated.

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