'Diversity can boost creativity in higher education' 

The EUA Creativity Project 2006-2007 comprised four networks bringing together 32 higher-education institutions of diverse missions (art, technical, specialised and multi-faculty universities) from 21 countries. The networks examined a range of conditions that may promote or hinder creativity in relation to the following themes: partnerships between higher-education institutions and external stakeholders; innovation in teaching and learning; creative cities/regions, and; structures and leadership. 

The project's conclusions highlight, in particular, the notion of diversity "as a crucial factor for strengthening creativity on a number of levels". The project outcomes "strongly support the notion that the participation of representatives from very diverse higher-education institutions in the four networks, and especially the combination of the arts and other disciplines, provided a highly favourable framework for tackling a multifaceted topic like creativity". 

Therefore, the first of the report's ten key recommendations is for higher-education institutions to "strive towards a creative mix of individual talents and experiences among students and staff, providing common fora for researchers from different disciplines and offering diverse learning experiences". 

To read the full report at EUA website, click here .