The European project IN SITU has just launched the first episode of its new podcast series, IN SITU Dialogues: Place-based creativity from the ground up. The series takes listeners on a journey into the vibrant world of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in non-urban Europe, spotlighting how local creativity drives innovation, community building, and sustainable development.
To kick things off, host Maria Batle speaks with Nancy Duxbury and Mark Rainey about the heart of the IN SITU project. Together, they set the stage for the conversations ahead by exploring the project’s aims and the role of the IN SITU Labs in supporting creativity in non-urban regions. The discussion highlights why cultural and creative industries in these areas deserve more attention, what’s unique about working outside major cities, and how local creativity can spark new forms of innovation and community development. It’s a dialogue about rethinking where culture happens — and why place truly matters.
In upcoming episodes, the podcast will showcase the voices of creative practitioners and cultural actors working at the forefront of place-based development. Across 12 case studies in six European regions, IN SITU Dialogues will share a mix of personal stories and practical insights, revealing how artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders are shaping stronger, more resilient places through culture-based innovation.
The eight-episode series will run monthly from October 2025 through spring 2026, with each episode featuring multiple guests from the IN SITU case studies.
IN SITU Dialogues is developed within the framework of IN SITU: Place-based innovation of cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas, a Horizon Europe-funded project (Grant Agreement number 101061747), in collaboration with RUC – Rádio Universidade de Coimbra.
The podcast is available now on all major streaming platforms.
For further information:
Nancy Duxbury – IN SITU Project Coordinator
Centre for Social Studies (CES) at the University of Coimbra, Portugal
Email: in-situ@ces.uc.pt
Tel: +351 239 855 570
Web: https://insituculture.eu
The “IN SITU: Place-based innovation of cultural and creative industries in non-urban areas” project combines research and experimental actions to advance the innovation-related practices, capacities, and potential of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) based in non-urban areas of the EU. The project is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Program (project no.101061747). It began on July 1, 2022, and will run for four years. The IN SITU project consortium comprises 13 Full Partners from 12 countries, consisting of 11 research institutions, a European-wide cultural network, and a national cultural foundation.
