Opinion: Academia Suppresses Creativity

By discouraging change, universities are stunting scientific innovation, leadership, and growth.

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ISTOCKPHOTO, LORAN NICOLAS

Creativity enhances life. It enables the great thinkers, artists, and leaders of our world to continually push forward new concepts, new forms of expression and new ways to improve every facet of our existence. The creative impulse is of particular importance to scientific research. Without it, the same obstacles, ailments, and solutions would occur repeatedly because no one stepped back and reflected to gain a new perspective.

Unfortunately, in the academic world—where much of today’s scientific innovation takes place—researchers are encouraged to maintain the status quo and not “rock the boat.” This mentality is pervasive, affecting all aspects of scientific research from idea generation to funding to the training of the next generation of scientists.

Academic leadership

Many who succeed in advancing to leadership positions ...

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  • Fred Southwick

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