Article # 3 In Pursuit of the ‘ Holy Grail ’: Staff Perceptions of Creativity and Innovation
Title :
In Pursuit of the ‘ Holy Grail ’: Staff Perceptions of Creativity and Innovation
Authors :
Dr Anna M Foss Associate Professor in Public Health Education and Mathematical Epidemiology , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Lorraine Locke Formerly an Associate Professor of Educational Development , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Keywords :
Creativity , Innovation , Pedagogy , Skills Development
DOI :
http :// doi . org / 10.21252 / fe4z-5w95
Abstract
Context and Objectives
Debate about conceptual understandings and practical applications of creativity and innovation into learning and teaching practice is long standing . Our empirical research aimed to explore how these concepts were understood by staff working in UK higher education ( HE ) settings and the implications for informing quality improvements . Our goal was to enhance knowledge , skills and understandings within our own context , alongside offering suggestions for HE institutions elsewhere .
Methods
We conducted thematic analysis of qualitative data collected via audio-recordings of workshop break-out groups at two learning and teaching conferences , and positioned our findings within the broader international literature on creativity and innovation .
Results
We identified four interconnected themes : ( i ) how creativity and innovation are understood , ( ii ) problems with claiming work as creative or innovative , ( iii ) a practical skills deficit , and ( iv ) a nuanced relationship between their meanings and uses in different disciplinary contexts .
Discussion and Conclusions
We have shown that creativity and innovation have been defined as both products and processes . These particular findings concur with the broader research on these topics across different international settings and disciplines . Activities must be implemented that facilitate discussion about the meaning of these concepts and the emotional impact of value judgements while building awareness , confidence and understandings of how and when students are being creative and innovative . Staff working in other HE institutions around the world may like to reflect on whether these recommendations have relevance in their own contexts , perhaps exploring more rigorously using our proposed methodology .
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