Fostering creativity

Abstract

Scientific progress depends on both conceptual and technological advances, which in turn depend on the creativity of scientists—their ability to produce new insights or ideas. The biological sciences in particular have been revolutionized by insights such as the discovery of the DNA double helix and the invention of the polymerase chain reaction. Various studies suggest that the creative processes behind these discoveries rely on mechanisms that are similar across disciplines as diverse as art and science. Furthermore, research into the nature of creativity indicates that it depends strongly on the cultural environment. Given the importance of creative thinking in science, is it possible to create optimal conditions in a research organization with the aim of enhancing the creativity of its scientific staff? This article describes a study that addressed this question in a large research institute—the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL; Heidelberg, Germany). The results show that conditions that enhance scientific creativity can be clearly defined, and thus applied to any organization striving for innovation. ![][1] Creativity is central to human activity and thought, and has been the driving force for all innovations throughout human history. However, it has long eluded precise definition and scientific study, although the literature abounds with many explanations ranging from the mundane to the highly complex (Taylor, 1988). One of the most useful definitions states that a creative idea cannot be produced by the same set of generic rules as a familiar idea, thus indicating that creativity depends on a conceptual shift in thinking (Boden, 2004). Creativity has been traditionally associated with art and literature but since the early twentieth century, science has also been regarded as a creative activity. In contrast to art and literature, in which it is usually sufficient to create an original work, a creative scientific idea requires both originality and … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif