Creative works

Creative Works are non-traditional research outputs that have been produced through writing, making, composing, designing, recording, performing or curating. To be assessed as a creative work, research must demonstrate at least one of the following elements:

• involve the creation of new knowledge or the use of existing knowledge in new and creative ways
• include a synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative
• impact on the work of the discipline, for example generating new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings.

It should be noted that multiple exhibitions/performances cannot be submitted as multiple outputs where the repeated exhibitions/performances do not introduce a new research component to the work e.g. a touring exhibition can only be submitted as a single output.

Creative works must be submitted to count towards staff members’ performance portfolios, and to be eligible for inclusion in ROC, RPI and ERA. The below information explains what is required, if you have questions or concerns that are not addressed here, please contact the Research Outputs Team.

Creative works of all types must meet and provide evidence to support the following criteria:

For detailed examples of evidence to submit, please refer to the Creative Works Guidelines.

Non-textual

• Original – Visual artwork (i.e. group or individual, photo essay, photo book, artist book)
• Original – design/architectural work
• Recorded/rendered (i.e. film/video, performance, digital creative work, website/web exhibition).
• Live performance: either a new work or a demonstrably new or innovative interpretation or production of an existing work (i.e. music, play, dance).
• Curation (i.e.web-based exhibition, exhibition/event/festival).
• Other: Creative works that do not fit the above subcategories.

Textual                                                              

• Original (i.e.short story, poem, novel/book of poetry, prose, portfolio of works (anthology), catalogue essay).

For a thorough definition of the subcategories, please refer to the Creative Works Guidelines.

The Creative Works Assessment Advisory Panel meets biannually to assess research eligibility, and point-value equivalence, of creative works research outputs. Membership comprises qualified staff from the Research Office and the Faculty of Arts and Education. Recommendations to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) regarding the final determination of index points allocated to a creative work will be made by the Creative Works Assessment Advisory Panel.

Creative works are allocated index points which are used to calculate an RPI score.  Index points are awarded for both scope and outlet/reach (for example, a quality creative work with a major scope and major outlet/reach would be allocated 100 points, which is in alignment with points allocated for quality books). For creative works to generate index points they must meet the ERA definition for research through attaining each of the following elements:

1. Must be: an original creative work; a live performance of a creative work or creative works; recorded/rendered creative works; curated or produced substantial public exhibitions and events, or portfolio of creative output. The work must be ERA eligible;
2. Publicly available e.g. through exhibition, performance or publication;
3. Rationale – a justification must be provided for the research, and the significance of the contribution must be clarified through a Creative Works Research Statement;
4. Reach – the work must have an audience or readership;
5. Peer review – all creative works must have been commissioned, competitively selected, or be able to otherwise provide evidence of external peer review.

Points for outputs can only be claimed once unless new research components have been introduced to the work, which will need to be explained in the Creative Works Research Statement. Additional points cannot be claimed for repeat performances across time or across locations, apart from points awarded under reach.

Some projects may generate a number of outputs with a common research question, i.e. a group art exhibition in which the curator’s own work is included. Creative works that are part of the same research project may be assessed as a portfolio. At the discretion of the creative works assessment panel, outputs may be considered individually if their research statement sufficiently outlines the unique contribution the creative work makes to the larger research program and field of research in which it is located.

For more information please refer to the Creative Works Guidelines.

Please refer to the CRO submission guide for detailed information.

A research statement is a written statement that explains how and why the creative work fits into a program of research undertaken by you as a researcher and artist/writer/curator/performer/designer. These guidelines apply to research-related creative works, not those that are undertaken as professional practice, e.g. where the role in producing the output is technical in nature and does not contain an original research component.

It is the critical document for your research to be explained and understood by internal and external reviewers for research assessment, in which the quality of your research is being assessed. A research statement template is available here and should be completed and attached to the CRO record for your creative work, under “Other files” in the “Electronic version(s), and related files and links” section of the data entry form. Contact the Research Outputs team at researchoutputs@csu.edu.au if you require assistance with uploading the research statement.

NOTE: Creative works without research statements cannot be considered for ROC, RPI, or ERA. Creative works and their research statements may be considered for peer review by an expert ERA panel.