We understand the transformative potential of the culture and creative industries (CCIs)
Research, Data and Insight
For 25 years BOP has set the standard for research into culture and creative industries (CCIs).
We believe in the transformative power of data to change perceptions and galvanise decision-making. We seek to make an impact on our clients and their stakeholders with our findings, through the rigour of our research, the clarity of presentation and the use of the latest data visualisation methods.
Our work has shone new light on the CCIs and their potential to transform people and places. Insights generated have informed the decision-making of national governments, mayors, and cultural leaders across the globe, and we have helped to design standard data frameworks for international agencies like UNESCO, for national governments and for city leaders worldwide.
The triennial World Cities Culture Report is the most comprehensive existing compendium of data on culture and the world’s largest cities. It has pushed culture up the urban agenda and helped policy-makers align the development of a city's cultural offer with broader economic, social, and environmental goals.
Our Approach
BOP continues to pioneer innovative approaches to understanding the nature and dynamics of these cultural industries. Our extensive toolkit draws on official data, specialised cultural statistics, frameworks, industry intelligence, and open ‘big’ data sources. This provides a wide and deep view of the sector, generating new evidence and insights which can be used as the basis for decision-making.
Whilst we use recognised frameworks and methods to ensure robustness and enable comparability, our research is always tailored to the unique needs of the client. Our research offer is always
Responsive to immediate challenges and dilemmas
Rigorous, objective, and open to external scrutiny
Reliable, using standard, widely accepted methods, and frameworks
Innovative, and constantly drawing on new data sources
Practical, providing evidence for business decisions
Relevance
As we enter the new post-COVID age our research capabilities are more important than ever to our clients as they assess the impact of the pandemic and plan for a different kind of future where they are contending with ongoing changes across the sector as well as larger shifts including climate change and technology.
01.
Evidence and literature reviews
We undertake literature and evidence reviews – from rapid scans to in-depth systemic analysis – to put the best and latest information and knowledge in the hands of decision-makers.
01.
Sector mapping
We use a range of data source methods to reveal the full nature and extent of the cultural and creative sectors. Our research generates insights into the growth potential of the sector and how it relates to important economic, social, and environmental agendas.
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Industry trends and forecasting
We keep policy-makers and decision-makers up to speed with the deep trends that are shaping the future of the CCIs, and how policy and investment can respond to and take advantage of these opportunities. We have specialised knowledge of how digital technologies are revolutionising the CCIs and their role in sustainable development.
01.
Innovative data frameworks
We devise innovative data frameworks which help inform policy and decision-makers to make sense of fast-moving, often fragmented sectors, creating a solid foundation for evidence-based policy-making. See World Cities Culture Report.
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Policy briefings and white papers
We bring sophisticated policy-analysis to bear on the core data about the sector, to explore how the CCIs can contribute to wider agendas whether this be sustainable development, urban planning, infrastructure, skills and entrepreneurship, tourism, or climate action.
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Market scoping appraisals and demand assessments
We collect and collate data on current and future market demand and translate this into practical commercial advice for future investment decisions.
Our Services
Research, Data and Insight


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Featured Projects
Research, Data and Insight
Through our work managing and leading the World Cities Culture Forum and through projects in Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia, our work has set the agenda for some of the most pressing urban cultural policy opportunities and challenges of the day.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
Building on our contribution to the second edition of the report in 2018, BOP has led as the Data and Research partner on this report to help find out how policies can protect people working in the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
We investigated the potential impact of AI on the cultural and creative industries.
European Commission
Culture: The cornerstone of the UK’s high streets
Our research into the UK's high streets found that 69% of people think culture on their high street makes their area a better place to live.
Arts Council England
Leveraging the creative potential of Downtown Kingston through technology
Our strategy will guide the creation of a new digital service aiming at supporting and developing the creative scene in Downtown Kingston.
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
Our new research report for the National Trust
National Trust
Ireland’s live entertainment sector
Our research into the sector’s economic and cultural impact
Wide Awake Communications
Reshaping cultural policies
Our research for UNESCO's major report on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
UNESCO
UK China collaboration moves up the agenda after Brexit
Our research revealed opportunities for collaboration between UK and China’s Museum and Theatre sectors
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
UK China cross-border equity crowdfunding
Our research paved the way for a future UK China cross-border equity crowdfunding solution
ShareIn
Research into digital making
We mapped the organisations that provide training and learning opportunities to young people in digital making. Our findings contributed to a State of the Nation report on digital making.
Nesta
Comparative study of online copyright enforcement policies
Our comparative study helps support improved enforcement of online copyright.
Intellectual Property Office
Strategic review and action planning for the creative industries in Jordan
Our research provided the evidence and insight for an action plan for the development of the sector.
EUNIC
Building on our contribution to the second edition of the report in 2018, BOP has led as the Data and Research partner on this report to help find out how policies can protect people working in the creative and cultural sectors.
UNESCO's Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity Report – Addressing culture as a global public good
UNESCO
We investigated the potential impact of AI on the cultural and creative industries.
Opportunities and Challenges of AI for the Cultural and Creative Industries
European Commission
Our research into the UK's high streets found that 69% of people think culture on their high street makes their area a better place to live.
Culture: The cornerstone of the UK’s high streets
Arts Council England
Our strategy will guide the creation of a new digital service aiming at supporting and developing the creative scene in Downtown Kingston.
Leveraging the creative potential of Downtown Kingston through technology
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB
Our new research report for the National Trust
Protect urban heritage to prevent growth in inequality
National Trust
Our research into the sector’s economic and cultural impact
Ireland’s live entertainment sector
Wide Awake Communications
Our research for UNESCO's major report on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
Reshaping cultural policies
UNESCO
Our research revealed opportunities for collaboration between UK and China’s Museum and Theatre sectors
UK China collaboration moves up the agenda after Brexit
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
Our research paved the way for a future UK China cross-border equity crowdfunding solution
UK China cross-border equity crowdfunding
ShareIn
We mapped the organisations that provide training and learning opportunities to young people in digital making. Our findings contributed to a State of the Nation report on digital making.
Research into digital making
Nesta
Our comparative study helps support improved enforcement of online copyright.
Comparative study of online copyright enforcement policies
Intellectual Property Office
Our research provided the evidence and insight for an action plan for the development of the sector.
Strategic review and action planning for the creative industries in Jordan
EUNIC
SELECTED CLIENTS
For over 25 years, BOP has grown a dynamic global community of interest driven by a belief in the transformational power of culture and the creative industries. We have worked in over 50 countries with clients from international agencies to national and regional government departments, to city Mayors and regeneration bodies, and individual cultural and creative businesses.











Featured Articles
Research, Data and Insight
November 4, 2021, 11:00:00 PM
How are major cities around the world responding to climate change through cultural policies and programmes?
The Green World Cities of Tomorrow: Culture and Sustainability
Paul Owens
April 22, 2021, 12:00:00 AM
5 Priorities for World Cities in the post-covid recovery period
Culture and the Climate Emergency
Paul Owens
December 4, 2020, 12:00:00 AM
Culture can play an important role in recovery and renewal across the UK, if the right local decision-making is put in place
Culture and the Recovery: Levelling Up Culture?
Callum Lee
August 21, 2020, 12:00:00 AM
Three big questions as applications close for Arts Council England’s Cultural Recovery Fund
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #3
Paul Owens
July 30, 2020, 12:00:00 AM
The UK’s £1.57 billion recovery package: priorities for a New Deal
COVID-19: Government support packages for culture and creative industries #2
Paul Owens
July 20, 2020, 12:00:00 AM
Cities are using their unique capabilities to lead recovery and renewal
COVID-19: Cities, Culture and the 3 ‘P’s: powers, partnerships, place
Paul Owens
ABOUT US
EXPERTISE
A global research and consulting practice for culture and the creative economy
RE | SHAPING POLICIES FOR CREATIVITY – Addressing culture as a global public good
JOB TITLE
This report offers insightful new data that shed light on emerging trends at a global level, as well as putting forward policy recommendations to foster creative ecosystems that contribute to a sustainable world by 2030 and beyond.
UNESCO
Culture and High Streets – Final Report
JOB TITLE
This report points to a body of evidence that demonstrates the role culture and creativity plays in attracting footfall to the high street, generating spend and creating civic pride.
Arts Council England
Culture Counts: New Approaches to Evidence Based Cultural Policymaking
in World Cities
JOB TITLE
This Case Guide is co-produced with the participating cities of WCCF. All of the city examples in this document are presented as ‘use cases’ of cultural data in which we highlight relevant questions and outcomes, and direct readers to further readings.
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
The Green World Cities of Tomorrow: Culture and Sustainability – Special Report Prepared for WCCF Global Conversation
JOB TITLE
The report published by the World Cities Culture Forum looks at how major cities around the world are responding to climate change through cultural policies and programmes.
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
World Cities Culture Report 2018
JOB TITLE
This is the most comprehensive report ever published about culture and the role it plays in shaping life in major cities worldwide. The report is based on extensive data and practice research to reveal how 35 major global cities are in the vanguard of policymaking.
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
World Cities Culture Finance Report
JOB TITLE
Our World Cities Culture Finance Report, is the first global comparative study to examine how much is spent on culture in world cities, by whom, and where the money goes.
World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF)
Review of the Scottish Animation Sector
JOB TITLE
We find that while Scotland’s animation sector produces high quality work in a range of formats it does not create a high volume of work. The sector is small and struggles to sustain itself in the face of global market competition.
Creative Scotland