Innovation Generation: How to Produce Creative and Useful Scientific Ideas
"[Ness's] ideas about creating new ways of thinking are accessibly explained and inspiring, including chapters on group intelligence and overcoming bias...While her writing is focused on scientific innovation, there's enough here that's applicable to other fields to make it worth a read for anyone interested in breaking out of their habitual mindset and cultivating innovative thinking." --Publishers Weekly"Through role models and exercises, [Ness] shows how better metaphors and observation can shift paradigms; and how specific issues can be solved with the right questions, the right analogies and group intelligence." --Nature"With its interesting stories and offbeat exercises for the reader,Innovation Generationhas grab." --Paul Silvia,Pacific Standard"Roberta Ness teaches how to be a more innovative thinker. Now in a book as creative as its subject, Dr. Ness shows how, with a little know-how and a lot of practice, we can all bring out our more creative selves." -- Harvey V. Fineberg, President, Institute of Medicine, National Academies of Science"A thought-provoking dissertation on innovative thinking and how to circumvent the barriers that can inhibit our creativity. The range of ideas and approaches put forward here serve as a spur to further thought - and to action." -- Russell A. Hulse, Nobel Laureate in Physics"Great science depends on innovative thinking. Our societal creativity and progress depends on investing in such innovation. This book argues that innovation can be taught, fostered, and nurtured as a basis for accelerating innovation. It provides the framework for fostering creativity and a toolbox teaching it. This is an outstanding contribution to our collective success." -- Linda P. Fried, Dean, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health"Can we teach people to be innovative? Roberta Ness demonstrates that the answer is a resounding 'yes.' This is a rare book that contains both a rigorous account of the elements that foster innovation and examples that will inspire scientists, teachers, students, and anyone with a sense of curiosity to become more successful innovators." -- E. Gordon Gee, President, The Ohio State University"Dr. Ness shows us that learning to become a better innovator is indeed possible.  This book is a tremendous help for scientists, policy makers, and students of all ages."- Arthur "Tim" Garson, Director, Center for Public Health Sciences, and former Provost, University of Virginia School of Medicine"Innovation Generation: How to Produce Creative and Useful Ideas is a superb read.The path to a strong and vibrant America today and into the future will be through the inculcation of innovation among our students across all disciplines. Roberta Ness provides substantive tools to enhance our ability for critical learning and innovation. More importantly, she emphasizes how important it is for us to inspire and facilitate innovative thinking from our students and not to inadvertently suppress students from challenging mainstream ideas, even if they are our own." -- Francisco G. Cigarroa, University of Texas System Chancellor"Enter Roberta Ness'sInnovation Generation: How to Produce Creative and Useful Scientific Ideas. A workshop in a book,Innovation Generationuses ideas from the study of creativity training to cultivate scientific innovation. The notion of training creativity might seem odd, but a lot of studies show that people can learn strategies and habits that cultivate creative thought... With its interesting stories and offbeat exercises for the reader,Innovation Generationhas grab." --Pacific Standard