Solving Research Problems Creatively

While we might assume that creativity is a fixed innate ability – stereotypically leading to the creation of poems and paintings – in the context of our research, the creative thinking process that underpins creativity can be seen as a skill to be developed to solve problems large and small. Indeed, with this creative thinking process at the heart of research, research itself can be viewed as an inherently creative act.

Why this course might make a difference
The overall purpose of this intensive, practical workshop is to help you develop your creative thinking skills to help you solve research problems.

Outcomes:
With this aim in mind, the course outcomes are:

• To give you a systematic creative-thinking process for solving problems.
• The opportunity to apply and develop a creative thinking process, by working in pairs on a challenge.
• To explore your assumptions about your own creativity.

Previous feedback:
“It had so many ideas and mnemonics for having a creative and constructive brainstorm, with outputs!”

“This training event showed me how little time brainstorming actually takes and how it boosts creative process. I literally felt that after some warming up, my brain started to give me more and more pictures-ideas in two minutes each time.”

All graduate students.
Postdoctoral researchers and research staff are welcome to attend this course, but may prefer to attend or follow up with Postdocs: Sustaining and Expanding your Creativity, which is tailored specifically to the postdoctoral experience.
Further details regarding eligibility criteria are available here.

Number of sessions: 1

Participative workshop including provision of information, discussion and practical exercises.

Two-hour session.

This course runs once per term.