The Impact of XR Stories and SIGN on the Local and National Economy

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.