The Fold is a cross-disciplinary research group founded in 2024 by Jess Franklin. It brings together artists and geologists to explore geology as a source of inspiration for creative practice through exploration, dialogue, and embodied engagement with the natural world.

Co-designed with artists to ensure a creative-led ethos, the group is supported by a standing committee that guides its programming. The Fold meets bi-monthly through a varied programme of Seminars and Sharings, Open Days, and Field Trips.

Its artists work across diverse practices including dance, film, visual art, poetry, photography, sound, and sculpture. Geologists in the group are affiliated with University College Cork, as well as specialists from industry and retired professional practice.

Through these partnerships, artists gain structured access to academic expertise, geological collections, and technical resources typically held within the university, creating a framework for shared inquiry and mutual learning. This ongoing exchange between artistic and geological perspectives continues to generate new ways of engaging with the natural environment as a source of insight and inspiration.