Creative Industries Research Festival ‘‘Building an Inclusive Creative Indu

Join a host of creative industry professionals and academics exploring how we build an inclusive Creative Industry for Freelancers
About this Event

Over 2 days the conference includes; panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities bringing together creatives, academics, practitioners, policymakers, and community voices.

This event is hosted by the Centre for Inclusive Research and Creative Arts (CIRCA) in collaboration Creative Futures Community CIC.

Over the two days the conference will unpack some of the most urgent questions facing freelancers in our sector today. Panellists include Arts Council England, Roundhouse, Creative UK, Creative PEC, London Higher, Creative Newham, Stratford Junction, Creative Catalyst and National Youth Theatre.

Panel 1: How to build an Inclusive Landscape?

Panel 2: How to build Future Skills?

Panel 3: How to build a good work, health, life balance?

You, Your Life, Your Career 

Mini Masterclass + Q&A for Creatives 

11:15-12:15 4 Sept. 2026 

The Source, Stratford 

Join us and Coach-Speaker-Author Rasheed Ogunlaru for this inspiring, energising and insightful mini-masterclass and Q&A discussion for creatives. This sessions explores self-belief, compassion, mindset, career/business progress and life balance. 

• You: Embracing your unique self, skills, passion and path 

• Your Life: Taking care of your wellbeing, life-balance and rich-relationships 

• Your career / business: Developing the mindset, skillset, support and resourcefulness for progress. 

Meet the Speaker 

Rasheed Ogunlaru is an accomplished life coach, leadership coach and motivational speaker. His clients include entrepreneurs, entertainers, executives and organisations. He is author of the books Soul Trader Putting the Heart Back into Your Business and The Gift of Inner Success. He is life & business coach partner to the British Library Business & IP Centre for whom he runs the inspiring online events Soul Trader and Networking for Success. Rasheed qualified as a coach with distinction at The Coaching Academy and has served as an associate trainer for the academy for over a decade. Rasheed’s career began in media and press relations, he is a trained trainer and an experienced media trainer. He is also a former Co-Director of Samaritans (Central London Branch) and is a singer-songwriter.  

Website: www.rasaru.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/RasheedOgunlaru