reSHAPE 2026

📅 Friday 27 November 2026
📍 The British Academy, London

How do we turn the extraordinary depth of knowledge within the social sciences, humanities and arts into ideas, ventures and innovations that make a difference?

At a time when universities are under growing pressure to demonstrate the economic and societal value of research, funding models are changing and policymakers are looking for new sources of growth and innovation, that question has never been more relevant.

reSHAPE 2026 brings together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, funders and universities from across the UK and beyond to explore the role that social sciences, humanities and arts (SHAPE) can play in the next generation of socially responsible innovation and entrepreneurship.

From understanding people, behaviour and markets to addressing questions of place, culture, trust and society, SHAPE expertise is fundamental to tackling complex challenges — and to building innovations that people actually want, need and use.

reSHAPE is where that potential becomes tangible.

Throughout the day, you’ll hear from researchers and entrepreneurs turning SHAPE knowledge into ventures, products, services and new approaches, alongside the policymakers, investors, universities and organisations building the environment in which those ideas can succeed.

🏛️ The Future of SHAPE Funding
Where is the funding landscape heading, what might change, and where are the opportunities for SHAPE research, innovation and commercialisation?

🌆 Cities and the Live Economy
Why do some cities generate more opportunity, enterprise and economic activity than others — and what can SHAPE tell us about the ingredients of a high-performing urban economy?

🏺 Heritage and Cultural Infrastructure
How can we put our cultural and heritage infrastructure to work in new ways — creating opportunities for enterprise, investment and innovation alongside its cultural and public value?

🚀 SHAPING Startups: How SHAPE can be the critical DNA for a successful startup
From understanding people and behaviour to markets, communication, culture and design, we’ll explore how SHAPE expertise can provide some of the critical ingredients that help startups succeed - including those originating far beyond SHAPE.

🎨 Creative Industries in a Technological Age
How can emerging technologies (yes we're talking robots and more!) expand creative possibility - and what needs to be in place to ensure technology strengthens, rather than displaces, creative practice?

🌍 Building Resilience in a Changing Climate
Climate change is reshaping more than our physical environment. How can insights into people, communities, institutions and behaviour help us build systems that can anticipate, adapt to and withstand a changing climate?

And much more — including opportunities to discover emerging SHAPE ventures and meet the researchers and entrepreneurs behind them.

reSHAPE brings different parts of the innovation ecosystem into the same room: researchers, founders, universities, investors, policymakers, funders and organisations supporting research innovation and entrepreneurship.

Whether you are an academic working within SHAPE, developing a venture, supporting researchers to translate their ideas into the world, looking for emerging opportunities, or shaping the policies and systems within which innovation happens, reSHAPE is an opportunity to discover what is emerging, exchange ideas with people approaching these questions from different perspectives, and help shape what comes next.

Places are free for Aspect members, participants in ARC and the ESRC/AHRC SHAPE Catalyst, British Academy Fellows and members of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network.

Places are extremely limited. To help us bring together a diverse mix of disciplines, organisations and perspectives, available places will be allocated by lottery from registrations submitted through this page.

Register your interest now to be considered for a place at reSHAPE 2026.

reSHAPE is a collaborative event from Aspect and the British Academy, bringing together a wider community committed to strengthening the environment for SHAPE innovation and entrepreneurship.