The IPAN/University of the Arts London first joint event, with the UK Intellectual Property Office, on 14 June 2022 brought together an interesting mix of people, with a common interest in how creative entrepreneurs engage with intellectual property. The hybrid occasion started and ended in the intimate environs of Not Just A Shop, UAL’s outlet for student and alumni creations, including jewellery and homewares. The presentation featured a keynote by Harriet Kelsall (brief participant bio’s below). The tales she shared of her own IP encounters were both entertaining and enlightening. Roxanne Peters outlined the radical approach her small UAL team of IP educators is taking to bring IP concepts to audiences famed for their ‘out of the box’ thinking, in a way they can see as relevant to their future careers. Cassie Quinn recounted her experiences of negotiating the IP system and endorsed the value of the efforts being made to increase IP awareness. A lively Q&A, chaired by Ruth Soetendorp, followed with contributions from participants online and in those in the room, who were able to progress to Not Just A Shop to carry on the lively discussion over a glass of wine. The consensus overwhelmingly was that this first encounter between IPAN and UAL should not the be last!
Speakers included:
- Harriet Kelsall, non-executive director at the UKIPO and respected bespoke designer working in the UK jewellery industry. Harriet headed up a multi-award winning business that was the first to bring reachable bespoke jewellery design to the high street. She has worked hard to improve ethics of the jewellery industry as well as championed the role of women in business. She is passionate about helping creative businesses flourish through making the most of their IP.
- Roxanne Peters, IP Education Specialist in Creative and Cultural Industries is an IP educator, thinker and strategist, at University of the Arts London. She works internationally at the intersection of IP law, creative education, enterprise and cultural heritage. She has recently designed an IP resource to support and encourage wider awareness of IP thinking within the creative industries.
- Cassie Quinn, Designer and Researcher and recent graduate of the Master’s in Biodesign at CSM. She holds a Bachelors in Fashion Textiles and incorporates her textile skills into her biomaterial research. She focuses on the R&D of regenerative, local textiles and utilising waste to create new materials and systems of production. She has also been awarded accolades for her work including the prestigious UAL Mead Fellowship Award to develop regenerative, animal-free textiles and holding the title of Haberdasher’s Scholar through an award from UEL. Cassie was recently a recipient of the Creative Industries category in the London Mayor’s Entrepeneur Award
- Ruth Soetendorp, IP educator and first Visiting IP Professor at University of the Arts London. Ruth works with Bayes Business School, City University of London, is founding associate director of CIPPM, and is a longstanding, past chair of the Intellectual Property Awareness Network and convenes the IPAN Education group.