Connections Bursary: Creative Education Conference
Cat Tarling
On June 18, 2025, I attended the University for the Creative Arts’ Creative Education Conference at their Epsom campus, a vibrant gathering of educators, artists, and thinkers committed to reshaping creative learning.
Thanks to the Connections Bursary, I was able to take part in a day that felt both urgent and inspiring. One standout session explored how we can meaningfully develop students’ creativity, not as a vague ideal, but as a tangible, teachable practice. It challenged us to move beyond product-focused outcomes and instead nurture curiosity, risk-taking, and critical reflection in our classrooms.
Another highlight was a hands-on zine-making workshop that used DIY publishing as a tool for environmental activism. We explored how zines can amplify student voice, spark debate, and connect personal expression with global issues. The session was a powerful reminder that creative education isn’t just about technique, it’s about agency, storytelling, and the courage to provoke change.
As someone who primarily works with 11–18 educators, it was refreshing and energising to engage with colleagues from the university sector. The conversations offered new perspectives on curriculum design, assessment, and the role of creative education in shaping future changemakers. It reminded me how valuable cross-phase dialogue can be, and how much we can learn from each other when we step outside our usual settings.
I left with a renewed sense of purpose and a head full of ideas, from embedding sustainability into studio practice to using zines as a vehicle for interdisciplinary learning. The conference didn’t just offer inspiration; it offered practical, adaptable strategies I can bring back to my students.