Call for papers: Creativity and Interdisciplinarity – a Discursive Tension?

Call for papers: Creativity and Interdisciplinarity – a Discursive Tension?

A special issue of International Journal of Arts and Technology

Interdisciplinarity and creativity are the buzz words of the moment. However, these terms are often employed without consideration for their complementary value. The policy agendas that drive current developments in research are often instrumentalist, conflating creativity with innovation and interdisciplinarity with novel epistemologies. Such research often engages new technologies, with a consequent emphasis on novelty for its own sake. Related research debates are interestingly and inevitably manifesting as a result of the accelerated interactions within and between disciplines. This special issue invites contributions which explore relationships between interdisciplinary research methodologies and creative practices informed by various forms of technology, both old and new.

Responses are sought to questions which include, but are not limited to:

• If 'interdisciplinarity' is in itself a modality of research, rather than a set of defined methodologies, then what are the implications of such a context for the final outcome of research?
• How do we apply interdisciplinary methodologies to specialist knowledge without inappropriately transplanting concepts from one discipline to another?
• What are the implications of 'interdisciplinarity' for research relying on a sophisticated structuring of elements that originate in different disciplinary fields, far beyond the basic processes of assembling, arranging or collecting such elements?
• Does an emphasis on rhizomic connections, linkages, overlaps and crossovers and lateral thinking (outside the box) inevitably lead to novel and creative apprehension? What are the forms and value of such novelty and creativity?
• There is significant anxiety concerning the translation of interdisciplinary methods into ways of working, how to establish productive relationships and applications amongst familiar elements and the exploration of unfamiliar terrains. How do we evaluate what works and what does not? How do we deal with the gaps between disciplines - do we attempt to build bridges or exploit the consequent tensions?

Important Dates
Deadline for abstracts (optional): 1 June, 2009
Deadline for full paper submission: 25 June, 2009
Review results returned to authors: 20 September, 2009
Deadline for camera-ready papers: 1 October, 2009