Description

My graduate work investigates the impact that the physical environment has on peoples ability to be creative, particularly in the workplace and research environments. I am codifying those elements of physical space that stimulate, support and enhance creativity into a Grammar of Creative Spaces. I am Designer in Residence at SMARTlab in University College Dublin, working on the design and development of SMARTlabs physical creative space (CATALYST). I also work collaboratively with Cecilia Aragon, University of Washington, Seattle researching creativity in distributed groups. We examine the role of affect (or emotion) in the process of developing and sharing ideas, particularly in global groups who rarely meet face-to-face. SPIRES (Supporting People who Investigate Research Environments and Spaces) is a network for researchers at all career stages in academia, industry and leisure. We investigate how physical, technological and social aspects of research affect research environments and their effectiveness. We run seminars and workshops, provide travel funding for these and other events, promote discussion and support our members in any way we can. As network coordinator I grow the membership, build a new website that will become a rich resource for members, and bring interesting speakers worldwide to our seminars.