Axis Description
Discoverability is the characteristic that contributes to finding or accessing on-line content, particularly cultural content. It contributes to ensuring the existence of conditions that enable creation and its dissemination, thus helping to stimulate the creative economy. By analyzing the organizational, economic, social and cultural dynamics linked to discoverability, from different perspectives, the research carried out in this area aims to promote innovation, develop critical thinking, strengthen cultural vitality and enhance meaningful collective practices, particularly in Quebec.
The main objective of this axis is to contribute to understanding the dynamics surrounding discoverability, disseminate knowledge on the subject and propose research-based modes of action. All of this research conducted at the individual, collective and societal levels, concerning culture and, more broadly, “products” from the creative economy and ideas that enhance user well-being, particularly – but not exclusively – on digital platforms.
Head
Guillaume BLUM (Ph.D.)
1 Practice Environments
Sylvain Martet, Artenso

Sylvain Martet is Scientific Director at Artenso, an innovation and applied research centre specializing in art and social engagement. He contributes to all of the centre’s research activities, supporting the expansion of existing areas of expertise while also taking part in the development of projects and partnerships.
For nearly fifteen years, he has been involved in numerous research projects focusing on cultural mediation practices, the impact of digital technologies on cultural professions, cultural participation, and the circulation of music—particularly in digital contexts. He holds a PhD in sociology from Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and is a co-researcher with the Observatory of Cultural Mediation (OMEC), the Partnership Study for Music Mediation (EPMM), and the Interuniversity Research Group on Research-Creation in Music and Society (RCMS).
Grants
FRQSC
Chaire IANF de recherche du Québec sur l’intelligence artificielle et le numérique francophones
Role : Co-researcher (Principal researchers : Jonathan Roberge and Destiny Tchéhouali)
Value : 1 496 460 $
Duration : 2024-2029
Attirer et retenir les talents en région pour favoriser l’entrepreneuriat innovant au Québec
PERSÉIS
Role: Collaborator (Principal researcher: Julie Bérubé, Université du Québec en Outaouais).
Value: $380,627.
Duration: 2023-2024 to 2025-2026 (3 years).
Noûs – l’intelligence collective au service de la pensée critique pour contrer la désinformation
Programme de recherche sur la désinformation au Québec
Role: Co-researcher (Principal researcher: Alexandre Coutant, Université du Québec à Montréal).
Value: $150,000.
Duration: 2023 to 2024.
Chaire de recherche en économie créative et mieux-être (CREAT)
Role: Head of Discoverability Axis.
Value: $4,000,000 ($1,000,000/axis).
Duration: 2022-2023 to 2027-2028 (5 years).
Réseau de recherche en économie sociale et solidaire
Role: Co-researcher (Principal researcher: C.-A. Guillotte (U de Sherbrooke), V. Michaud (UQAM), L. Audebrand (U Laval) and M.- L. Dioh (UQO).
Value: $4,000,000.
Duration: 2023 to 2028. (5 years)
La Musique québécoise : une histoire sociale, politique et technologique (1960’s à nos jours)
FRQSC – Dialogue
Role: Co-principal researcher (Principal researcher: Romuald Jamet, INRS).
Value: $39,611.
Duration: 2021 to 2024. (3 years)
SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council)
Colloque Au-delà de l’innovation sociale : le design social
CONNECTION Grant
Role: Co-researcher (Principal researcher: Valérie Yobé, UQO).
Value: $25,000.
Duration: 2025-2026
Développement d’une boîte à outils de design fiction dans le secteur de la communication scientifique
Engagement partenarial with Impakt Scientifik.
Role: Principal researcher.
Value: $39,000.
Duration: 2022-2024. (3 years)
L’écosystème musical québécois comme cycle de désintermédiation au prisme du streaming et de la crise sanitaire COVID-19. Une approche par la sociologie et le design
Développement Savoir.
Role: Principal co-researcher (Principal researcher: Romuald Jamet, INRS).
Value: $72,544.
Duration: 2021 to 2024. (3 years)
OTHERS
Analyse et synthèse des résultats de l’appel à manifestation d’intérêt sur les pratiques émergentes en design (contrat de recherche)
Bureau du design – Ville de Montréal with le groupe design et société and the CREAT Chair
Role: Co-researcher (Principal researcher: Philippe Gauthier, Université de Montréal).
Value: $14,050.
Duration: 2024
Recommandations algorithmiques et découvrabilité des contenus francophones sur les plateformes musicales.
MCCQ+MCF – Appel de projets pour la découvrabilité des contenus culturels francophones
Role: Co-researcher (Principal researcher: Romuald Jamet, INRS).
Value: $198,000.
Duration: 2023.
Publications
AUT (Others)
Blum., G, Tchéhouali, D., Jamet, R., Roberge, J. et Siary, S. (2024). Pour une politique de la découvrabilité. Mémoire déposé dans le cadre des consultations publiques du ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec. Bibliothèque de l’Assemblée nationale du Québec. https://www.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/DepotNumerique_v2/AffichageFichier.aspx?idf=312703
Projects Discoverability
Algorithmic recommendations and discoverability of French-language content on music platforms
News
Reflections on Social Design – A Podcast
International Symposium on Social Design
Design thinking as a lever for technological appropriation
SSHRC Connexion grant awarded for symposium on social design
Algorithmic recommendations and music discoverability: New report available
CREAT Research Chair at the ACFAS
Call for papers – Special Issue
HOMAGE AWARD presented to Michel Vallée
Conference webcast Registration
EDIA directory of the CREAT Chair
Tribute Awards
Summer School: Discoverability and the Quebec music ecosystem (EMQ)
XVIIth conference de L’AGeCSO
EVENTS
CREAT Conference, May 21-22, 2026
International Symposium on Social Design in Québec
Invitation to “Symphonie arctique — L’art et l’IA au service de l’écorésilience”
Series of lunchtime conferences
CREAT Conference, November 4–6, 2024
EMQ Summer School on Cultural Discoverability
Study Day Design at the service of social innovation?
Guillaume Blum, head of Discoverability Axis, takes part in the 3rd edition of the Rendez-vous France-Québec on the discoverability of French-language cultural content.
Summer school in creativity management
90th ACFAS Congress: Mapping, mediating and promoting creative activity in Quebec for the well-being of citizens
Latest Podcasts & Videos
Episode 1 – The CREAT Chairheaders
This episode features four interviews with the headers of the Research Chair in Creative Economy and Well-Being (CREAT). Learn more about their backgrounds, areas of interest, and research.
Reflections on Social Design
Produced in the wake of the symposium Beyond Social Innovation: Social Design?, this podcast extends the discussions by giving a voice to invited guests. It offers a broader perspective on reflections surrounding social design and its role in addressing contemporary social, cultural, and environmental challenges.
Enjoy listening!
Music & Immigration project
The Discoverability Axis supported the production of an outreach video related to the project Music & Immigration, an online cultural mapping initiative highlighting the musical practices of professional immigrant artists in Quebec.
The project is led by two CREAT members: Caroline Marcoux Gendron (UQAM), collaborator of the Discoverability Axis, and Guillaume Blum (ÉTS), Head of the Axis. It is part of ongoing research on the visibility and accessibility of cultural content.