Use of a repetitive craft activity to solve a complex software engineering problem

Creativity may be defined as the use of an original set of ideas to create something novel and useful. But how do we generate ideas, and how can we optimise our chances of having a ‘good idea’ in the workplace? Research suggests that creativity can be enhanced by creating an environment that promotes a relaxed-yet-distracted psychological state.

In this session, we will discuss the role of the ‘default mode network’ in creativity, and will participate in a number of repetitive craft activities, from pom poms to sand art, that will aim to support the delicate balance between external stimulation and internal perspicacity. We will harness the powers of ‘constructive internal reflection’ in an attempt to solve a crowdsourced, complex software engineering problem.

Speaker Biography

Dr Harriet Shannon is a physiotherapist and senior teaching fellow at University College London. She has been involved in postgraduate education for more than 10 years, and in 2016 was awarded Senior Fellowship of the higher education academy in recognition of her innovative teaching techniques and use of digital technology to enhance teaching and learning.

Harriet has taught postgraduate students from over 30 different countries, and has a particular interest in comparing and contrasting educational practices worldwide. She has successfully supervised over 30 MSc research projects to completion, as well as undertaking her own independent programme research. She was awarded a PhD in 2011 for research into physiotherapy interventions in intensive care, conducted at Great Ormond Street hospital for children.

Most recently, Harriet has commenced a second PhD, this time in theology, at the University of Durham and has a heightened interest in interdisciplinary research and education. She is involved in the promotion of teaching and learning within a research-intensive environment and has presented her research both nationally and internationally. In 2017, Harriet will present her work at a number of national and international conferences including the Higher Education Academy national conference and Connecting Higher Education: International perspectives on research-based education.