Maintenance of persistent creativity and innovation in university laboratories

Abstract

This study investigates creativity in university laboratories, which are key places in developing new ideas and knowledge, and their persistent creativity. Analysing the Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University, the UK and the Pharmacology Laboratory of National Taiwan University, College of Medicine, established for 135 years and 85 years, respectively; the following findings are obtained. Preserving excellent tradition and academic style, making a careful choice of research fields and attentive exploration and management of them, and selection of and educating research talent, are three crucial elements associated with achievement in different fields whether through the harsh initial period immediately after establishing a lab, the growth period, the transformation of research topics or maintenance over many generations.