Renowned Creativity Researcher Takes on Senior Research Fellow Role at MIMIGURI

MIMIGURI Appoints Takeshi Okada as Senior Research Fellow

MIMIGURI, a leading consulting firm in organizational development and creativity, has officially announced the appointment of Dr. Takeshi Okada as its Senior Research Fellow. Dr. Okada is a prominent figure in the field of creativity research, widely recognized for his interdisciplinary approach encompassing educational psychology, cognitive science, and artistic education.

Background of the Appointment

Founded in Bunkyo, Tokyo, MIMIGURI specializes in organizational transformation by leveraging facilitation as a core strength. The company collaborates with a diverse array of entities including large corporations, startups, healthcare institutions, and educational organizations, aiding them in their creative journeys. Additionally, MIMIGURI operates as a research institution recognized by Japan's Ministry of Education, embodying the vision of bridging research and practice.

Dr. Okada's affiliation with MIMIGURI is set against the backdrop of previous collaborations with Co-CEO Yuki Anzai, who has greatly admired Dr. Okada's contributions since his university days. This partnership has led to upcoming significant events, such as the Tokyo International Symposium on Creativity and Innovation in November 2024, which Dr. Okada will chair with MIMIGURI providing its support.

Dr. Takeshi Okada: A Profile

Dr. Okada is celebrated for his groundbreaking theories on creativity, particularly his concepts of 'shifting' and 'inspiration,' which explore the nuanced interplay between scientific discoveries and artistic creation. After obtaining his Ph.D. in psychology from Carnegie Mellon University in 1994, and serving as a professor at Nagoya University, he has held the position of Director at the Art Creation Collaborative Research Institute (ACUT) at the University of Tokyo until last year. Currently, he continues to engage in both research and teaching as a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo.

His work delves into how artistic processes can be optimized to enhance creativity, focusing on how artists can intentionally alter their creative processes to stimulate innovation.

Collaborative Goals

Yuki Anzai, Co-CEO of MIMIGURI, highlighted that his academic journey has been significantly influenced by Dr. Okada. He sees this collaboration as a vital opportunity to deepen their shared academic endeavors. Likewise, Tomomi Minabe, Co-CEO, emphasizes the strength of Dr. Okada's insights in reinforcing MIMIGURI's capabilities as a research institution. Together, they aim to facilitate 'intrinsic transformation' within organizations by accelerating the cycle of research and practice.

Future Directions

The first endeavor from this collaboration is the publication of a joint column on creativity in MIMIGURI’s online learning platform, CULTIBASE. This initiative reflects MIMIGURI’s commitment to disseminating knowledge and fostering discussions around creativity, intended to ignite collective exploration and innovative thinking across various sectors.

The debut article, titled "Can Humans Become Creative? The CBAA Model’s Three Perspectives," is part of a broader agenda to produce research collaborations, develop workshops, and create content that merges the expertise of both entities.

Call for Collaboration

In light of Dr. Okada's appointment, MIMIGURI is eager to forge new partnerships in joint research and promote collaborative projects that transcend traditional boundaries between universities, corporations, and government agencies. They invite interested parties to reach out and join their efforts in building a 'creativity ecosystem' within society.

About MIMIGURI

Founded in March 2021, MIMIGURI is a consulting firm recognized by the Ministry of Education as a research institution focused on transforming organizational creativity. With a dynamic team of designers, facilitators, engineers, and consultants, they integrate comprehensive support for human resource development, organizational design, and business model innovation. They also manage CULTIBASE, an exploration media aimed at disseminating knowledge about individuals and organizations.

For more details, visit their website at MIMIGURI.