Following the brilliant inaugural conference held at Edinburgh Napier in May 2017, organised by Lindsey Carruthers, Shelly Kemp and Gillian Hill, the 2018 conference is being hosted at Canterbury Christ Church University on 22nd May. Kathryn Friedlander eagerly anticipates what’s on offer this time.

Last year’s event was all about networking, building a community and collaboration – and none of us could have anticipated how spectacularly well it would achieve its aim! One of the more tangible benefits for me was the rapid expansion of our own pool of contacts across a diverse range of applied fields. This enabled us to approach a far wider pool of potential contributors for our forthcoming Frontiers Research Topic Novel Approaches for Studying Creativity in Problem-Solving and Artistic Performance.

The 2018 one-day conference will feature another excellent keynote speaker – Todd Lubart, Professor of Psychology at the Université Paris Descartes. Professor Lubart’s research focuses on creativity, developing it in children and adults, the creative process, emotion, and intercultural issues. He has authored and co-authored many books as well research papers.

His keynote is entitled ‘Homo Creativus: the Creative Side of Mankind’.

As previously, the conference will also feature oral papers, posters (with a prize for the best), refreshments, working lunch, and wine reception; plus the now infamous ‘speed networking’ session which was so useful – and such fun! – last year. But the organisers also caution us to:

“Expect more of the same—plus some surprises!”

(How appropriate for a conference on insight and creativity!)

We can’t wait to join organisers Ian Hocking, Karl Jeffries, Carolyn Mair and Paul Sowden at this vibrant showcase for UK Creativity research, and I’m particularly looking forward to renewing old friendships from 2017, as well as meeting new faces in the field.

If you are interested in joining us, do take a look at the conference website or Facebook page. The deadline for abstract submissions is 31st January 2018.

‘Creative Sides: A conference on the Psychology of Creativity ‘ will be held at Canterbury Christ Church University, Augustine House, Roof Terrace (AH3.31), Rhodas Town, Canterbury, on Tuesday, 22nd May, 9:30am-6pm. Cost £40, including morning and afternoon refreshments, working lunch and wine reception. To book your place, go to: ukcreativity2018.splashthat.com.

Many thanks to Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Surrey and the University of Central Lancashire for organising the event this year, and to the British Psychological Society London & Home Counties Branch for sponsoring the Best Poster Prize. For queries, email: ukcreativityresearchers@gmail.com.