Creativity and Conflict in the Cultural Industries

This book provides a practical theory and research informed guide to understanding conflict in the creative and cultural industries.

This edited collection provides a 360-degree view of the complex and dynamic presence of conflict in the work of creative and cultural industries such as film, television, radio and podcasting, the fine arts, and beyond. A foundational resource for understanding the complexities of the creative industries, it explores ways conflict can be reframed as a necessary, productive, and manageable force. The essays in the book delve into the underlying causes of conflict in creative enterprises, examine the impact of these conflicts on the creative process, and introduce strategies and tactics used by creative workers to execute their visions with and through conditions of conflict. It features a diverse range of case studies, interviews, and discourse analyses, providing readers with concrete examples of conflicts and how they have been addressed. The inclusion of these real-world case studies and theoretical frameworks make the book an excellent teaching resource.

This book will be a useful resource to students and scholars of media, culture, and communication, particularly those with an interest in media industries, media management, the creative and cultural industries, and media production.

Christopher Lucas is Associate Professor in the Department of Communication, Media, & Cinema and Program Coordinator of Digital Cinema at Southern Oregon University, USA. He teaches media studies, documentary and film production. He is the producer of the feature documentaries Above All Else (2014) and Raising Aniya (2025), among other projects. He is a co-founder of flowjournal.org, a popular site for scholarly media criticism.

Erica Knotts is a Senior Instructor of Communication and Program Coordinator for the Conflict Management Certificate in the Department of Communication, Media, & Cinema at Southern Oregon University, USA. She is the co-editor of Women Educators' Experiences During COVID-19 (2023), is the past Chair of the NCA Peace and Conflict Communication Division (2025) and is a certified Collaboration Discussion Coach through the Interactivity Foundation.