Imagination and Creativity, by Michael Beaney
The Department of Philosophy has recently established a Centre for Research into Imagination, Creativity and Knowledge (CRICK). Led by Dr Mike Beaney, its aim is to stimulate innovative research in the Philosophy of Mind, Epistemology and Aesthetics by bringing together philosophers, researchers in other disciplines and members of the wider community. It will focus on understanding the nature of creativity and innovation, their relation to the imagination, and their role in developing and extending the frontiers of human knowledge in the arts and humanities, the sciences, and business.
The Centre has received funding from the WRCETLE for a project entitled ‘Promoting Innovation and Creativity Across Sectors and Organisations’ (PICASSO) to develop a portfolio of materials to support courses on creativity and innovation. The plan is to offer a core module exploring different conceptions and theories of creativity and innovation, with a further project module that can be adapted to the needs of different departments and outside users, allowing those taking the module to look at innovation and creativity in their own subject area or workplace.
Mike Beaney has had an interest in creativity for a number of years. He is the author of Imagination and Creativity, a course book he prepared for the Open University which was published in 2005. He has taught topics concerning imagination and creativity at both undergraduate and postgraduate level since he arrived at York in October 2005.
Anyone who is interested in the project is encouraged to contact Mike Beaney at mab505@york.ac.uk.
Originally published in Enterprise focus.
