Dr Lauren England
Lecturer in Creative Economies
Contact details
Pronouns
She/her
Biography
Dr Lauren England joined the CMCI Department in 2021. She is interested in the sustainable development of creative economies in international contexts with a focus on craft, design and fashion industries.
Current themes of interest include the application of craft knowledge and skills in manufacturing and sustainable production, evolutionary trajectories and spatial dynamics of craft economies, and the organisational strategies of small arts organisations and creative entrepreneurs.
Lauren's work has been funded by the AHRC, British Academy and the Urban Studies Foundation. Her research is communicated through traditional academic publications, public reports and creative outputs including podcasts and short films.
Research interests
- The organisation and evolution of craft economies
- Sustainability and creative enterprise development
- Cultural and Creative Industries in developing economies, focusing on Africa
Lauren is not currently accepting PhD applications.
Teaching
Dr Lauren England teaches on the BA in Culture, Media & Creative Industries and the MA Arts & Cultural Management.
Expertise and public engagement
Dr England's public engagement work includes policy work on the topic of craft higher education, creative entrepreneurship and the impact of Covid-19 on creative workers. She hosted the African Fashion Futures podcast and directed a short documentary film project 'Creative Women in Lagos' Lagos in 2024.
Selected publications
England, L., Ikpe, E. & Comunian, R. 2024. 'Tensions and duality in developing a circular fashion economy in Kenya'. Cambridge Journal of Regions Economy and Society.
Ikpe, E., England, L., & Comunian, R. 2024. 'Fashion designers as lead firms from below: Creative economy, state capitalism and internationalization in Lagos and Nairobi'. Competition & Change, 0(0).
England, L., Morrison, C., & Charlton, E. 2024. Small arts organisations, social value and policy: a policy case study of the London School of Mosaic. King’s College London.
Vigano, F., England, L. & Comunian, R. 2023. 'Creative Symbiosis: Connecting skills formation, materiality and knowledge networks in the wood industry, craft and design ecology of South Tyrol'. Journal of Rural Studies, 104, 103149
England, L. 2023. 'Crafting professionals: entrepreneurial strategies for making a living through passionate work'. Innovation: Organisation & Management, 25(4), pp.329-347.
Research
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
News
Arts & Humanities academics honoured at King's Engaged Research Awards
Research projects and individual academics from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities won at the King’s Engaged Research Awards 2025, hosted on 16 January.
New Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence launched
The Department of Culture, Media and Cultural Industries will co-lead one of the new research clusters.
New podcast on African fashion launches
The 'Africa Fashion Futures' podcast provides an opportunity to hear from academics and industry experts about the fascinating world of African fashion.
Events
‘Funmilayo Ransome Kuti’ - Film Screening and Keynote with Director, Bolanle Austen-Peters
Film screening preceded by a Keynote from the producer and director of the film, followed by a Q&A session.
Please note: this event has passed.
Supporting Creative Women Entrepreneurs in Lagos
This is a documentary film screening that will be followed by a panel discussion by the project partners, filmmakers and researchers and a Q&A sessio
Please note: this event has passed.
Higher education and creative economies in Africa: discussing the impact of the African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies
Reflections on impact from the international team that delivered the project to develop the creative sector in Africa.
Please note: this event has passed.
Exploring the value of creative (higher) education
A one-day conference hosted by the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries (CMCI), King’s College London.
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies: Launch Event
This event launches a new AHRC funded follow-on grant for impact and engagement entitled ‘African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies’
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
International Women's Day: Supporting Female-led Creative Economies in Africa
How are cultural and creative industries playing a role in developing economies? This International Women's Day, Dr Roberta Comunian and Dr Lauren England...
Research
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
News
Arts & Humanities academics honoured at King's Engaged Research Awards
Research projects and individual academics from the Faculty of Arts & Humanities won at the King’s Engaged Research Awards 2025, hosted on 16 January.
New Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence launched
The Department of Culture, Media and Cultural Industries will co-lead one of the new research clusters.
New podcast on African fashion launches
The 'Africa Fashion Futures' podcast provides an opportunity to hear from academics and industry experts about the fascinating world of African fashion.
Events
‘Funmilayo Ransome Kuti’ - Film Screening and Keynote with Director, Bolanle Austen-Peters
Film screening preceded by a Keynote from the producer and director of the film, followed by a Q&A session.
Please note: this event has passed.
Supporting Creative Women Entrepreneurs in Lagos
This is a documentary film screening that will be followed by a panel discussion by the project partners, filmmakers and researchers and a Q&A sessio
Please note: this event has passed.
Higher education and creative economies in Africa: discussing the impact of the African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies
Reflections on impact from the international team that delivered the project to develop the creative sector in Africa.
Please note: this event has passed.
Exploring the value of creative (higher) education
A one-day conference hosted by the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries (CMCI), King’s College London.
Please note: this event has passed.
Africa Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies: Launch Event
This event launches a new AHRC funded follow-on grant for impact and engagement entitled ‘African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies’
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
International Women's Day: Supporting Female-led Creative Economies in Africa
How are cultural and creative industries playing a role in developing economies? This International Women's Day, Dr Roberta Comunian and Dr Lauren England...