Molly Holinger, Ph.D. and Melodi Özyaprak Ph.D. - The Transformative Potential of Creativity

Creative Flow: Thinkers and Change Agents

The 48th episode of the Creative Flow Podcast features Drs. Molly Holinger and Melodi Özyaprak, esteemed faculty members at the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State. Molly, an assistant professor with a PhD in educational psychology, researches positive outcomes of creativity. Melodi specializes in creativity in mathematics and gifted education, having founded the first magnet school for gifted students in Turkey. Their careers span roles in institutions like Miami University, the University of Connecticut, and Johns Hopkins, making them pioneers in creativity education and gifted learning.

The episode reveals critical insights into creativity education, emphasizing that creativity is not just a skill but a comprehensive approach to understanding and engaging with the world. Molly and Melodi emphasize the importance of experiential learning, structured creativity models, and integrating both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of creativity. They also discuss the growing recognition of creativity as a fundamental skill by institutions like the World Economic Forum. Together, they offer actionable strategies for incorporating creativity into curriculum development and differentiated learning approaches.

Don’t miss this episode, which offers a unique blend of personal creativity journeys, academic insights, and passionate discussions about creativity's transformative potential. The conversation provides a deep understanding of how creativity can be systematically learned, applied across disciplines, and used for personal and professional growth.