Creativity, Innovation, & Talent Development Lab
Mission
The Creativity, Innovation, and Talent Development Lab exists to better understand and advance human flourishing via creativity, innovation, and problem solving, and to advance the science of exceptional performance and talent development. Our research team conceptualizes and operationalizes the creative work of the present and future, and seeks to encourage and nurture productive synthesis with extant scholarship and practices in talent development and beyond. The lab is committed to generating world class, global-scope research, and disseminating high-quality innovations, pedagogies, and best practices in and around creativity and talent development.
Publications From the Team
Hulsey, D. B., Moten, T. R., Hebda, M. R., Sulak, T. N., & Bagby, J. H. (2023). Using behavioral engagement measures of multiple learning profiles to recognize twice- exceptional students. Gifted Child Today 46(1), 13-24. https://10.1177/10762175221131055
Hulsey, D. B. (2008). Living the dream: Creating and growing a school for gifted students. TEMPO, Journal of the Texas Association of Gifted and Talented, 37(3).
Ruiz, B. N., Esparza, L. V., Mock, J. R., Coyle, T. R., & Golob, E. J., (in press). Creativity and Attention: An Individual Differences Approach. Creativity Research Journal.
Sodergren, C. D. C., Kettler, T., Sulak, T. N., & Payne, A. M. (2023). Teacher self-efficacy, innovativeness, and preparation to teach cross-curriculum skills. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 10(1), 197-209. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.
Spitsberg, T. & Plucker, J.A. (2023). Boys and the Humanities: Making the Twain Meet. Kappan. https://doi.org/10.1177/00317217231168257
Grants
Kettler, T. K. (Principal Investigator), Sodergren, C. D. C. & Boschen, M. (Project Personnel). (2022-2023). Curriculum Standards for Gifted and Talented Programming Grades 1-6: Expanding Opportunities in Advanced Academics (Project EXPO) [Grant]. Waco Independent School District, Department of Advanced Academics.
Torres, D. K. (Principal Investigator), (2022-2025). Jacob K. Javits Federal Grant (Austin ISD NAVIGATES) [Grant]. Austin Independent School District, Advanced Academics Department.
International Presentations
Fillipini, T. & Hulsey, D. B. (September 2023). Creativity in Education and Museums: Partnerships in Formal and Informal Learning. Marconi Institute for Creativity Conference 2023, University of Trieste, Italy.
Hulsey, D. B. (September 2023). Cultivating Creativity, Innovation Thinking, and Resilience in Young Students by Teaching Entrepreneurship. Marconi Institute for Creativity Conference 2023, University of Trieste, Italy.
Hulsey, D. B. (September 2023). Cognitive and Creative Benefits of Lightening Up: Using Positive Humor in Education. Marconi Institute for Creativity Conference 2023, University of Trieste, Italy.
Hulsey, D. B. (August 2023). Cultivating Creativity and Resilience in Young Students by Teaching Entrepreneurship. On-demand session. World Conference on Gifted and Talented Children. Virtual conference.
Ruiz, B. N. & Spitsberg, T., (2023). Teacher Beliefs about Creativity and Creative Pedagogy: A Systematic Review. Presented at Marconi Institute of Creativity. Trieste, Italy.
Sodergren, C. D. C., Kettler, T., Sulak, T.N. (2022). Academic self-concepts and socio-emotional factors in gifted identified children & adolescents. International Academic Forum (IAFOR) The Paris Conference on Education, Paris, France.
National Presentations
Hulsey, D. B. & Batan-Karaduman, G. (Nov. 2022). Cultivate Young Entrepreneurs by Tapping into Creativity, Openness, and Cognitive Ability. National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
Hulsey, D. B. (Nov. 2022). Three Gifted Kids Walk into a Classroom: A Strengths-Based Approach To Optimizing Humor Ability in Students. Poster presentation at the National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference (NAGC), Indianapolis, IN.
Hulsey, D. B. & Filippini, T. (Nov. 2022). Cognitive and Creative Benefits of Lightening Up: Using Positive Humor in Gifted Education. National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
Hulsey, D. B. (Nov. 2021). What About Prom? Exploring Acceleration Options in Gifted Education. National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
Hulsey, D. B. (Nov. 2021). Game Changers: Key Elements of a Strengths-Based, Talent- Focused Approach to Foster Positive Self-Concept in 2e Learners. Poster presentation at the National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
Ruiz, B. N., (2022). Parental Burnout Among Parents of Gifted Children. Presented at National Association of Gifted Children. Indianapolis, IN.
Ruiz, B. N., (2023). Teacher’s Beliefs about Creativity and Teaching for Creativity: an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. Presented at National Association of Gifted Children. Orlando, FL.
Laird, Y. & Sodergren, C. D. C. (2021). Curriculum & instruction supports for gifted English language learners. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference, Denver, CO.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy and change agency in gifted coordinators: A mixed methods study. [Poster]. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference, Orlando, FL.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). Executive function and the gifted child: Effectively targeting early interventions. [Poster]. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference, Orlando, FL.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2022). Academic self-concepts and socio-emotional factors in gifted identified children & adolescents. [Round Table] American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2021). Academic Self-Concepts and Moral Complexity in Gifted Identified Children & Adolescents. [Poster]. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference, Denver, CO.
Torres, D. K. (2023). Talent Development: A Path Towards Equitable Gifted Programs. [Concurrent Session]. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference, Orlando, FL.
Torres, D. K. (2023). Calculating and Monitoring Equity Representation in GT Programs. [Combined Session]. National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Conference, Orlando, FL.
State & Regional Presentations
Ruiz, B. N., (2022). A streamlined rubric for scoring the alternative use task. Presented at Creativity and Education Symposium. Waco, TX.
Ruiz, B. N., Esparza, L. V., Mock, J. R., Coyle, T. R., & Golob, E. J., (2022). Creativity and Attention: An Individual Differences Approach. Presented at Armadillo. Stephenville, TX.
Ruiz, B. N. & Spitsberg, T., (2023). Teacher Beliefs about Creativity, Creative Students, and Creative Pedagogy: Current Research and a Theoretical Model. Presented at Creativity and Education Symposium. Virtual
Ruiz, B. N., (2023). How Well Do Educators Understand Creativity? Presented at Baylor Emerging Research Conference. Virtual.
Sulak, T. N., Bagby, J. H., Robins, J. H., Hulsey, D. B., Moten, T., & Pathanjaly, H. (2021, February 3-5). Behavioral Engagement of Students with Different Learning Needs (Conference presentation). 44th Annual Southwest Educational Research Association (SERA) Virtual Conference.
Epperson, B., Scallon, H., & Sodergren, C. D. C. (2021). Community building: Build your own professional learning network. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), giftED21 conference, Dallas, TX.
Laird, Y. & Sodergren, C. D. C. (2021). Curriculum & instruction supports for gifted English language learners. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), giftED21 conference, Dallas, TX.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). Maximizing your child’s potential. Gifted & Advanced Academics Parent Conference [Keynote address], Round Rock ISD. Round Rock, TX.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). The double-edged sword of perceptual giftedness. Gifted & Advanced Academics Parent Conference [Breakout session], Round Rock ISD. Round Rock, TX.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). The benefits of pretend play. Gifted & Advanced Academics Parent Conference [Breakout session], Round Rock ISD. Round Rock, TX.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). How do we know they are growing? Measuring growth in gifted students on specific G/T Standards. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), Leadership Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
Sodergren, C. D.C. & Kettler, T. (2022). Excellence in Gifted Education: A New Framework for Improving Programs. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), giftED22 conference, Houston, TX.
Sodergren, C.D.C. (2022). The intersection of STEM and non-cognitive factors on the achievement of gifted adolescents. Baylor Emerging Research Conference (BERC), [Online].
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2023). Too Many Hats: leveraging multiple roles as a gifted coordinator. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented Emerging Leaders Program, [Online].
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2022). Identification Dos and Don’ts. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), New Coordinator’s Bootcamp, [Online].
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2022). Too Many Hats: leveraging multiple roles as a gifted coordinator. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented Emerging Leaders Program, [Online].
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2021). Measuring affective and socio-emotional learning. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), giftED21 conference, Dallas, TX.
Sodergren, C. D. C. (2021). Living large in a small district. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT), giftED21 conference, Dallas, TX.
Torres, D. K., Haygood, B., & Sanchez, A. (2022). #WhyGT: A Storytelling Session. [Mastermind Session]. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) Conference, Houston, TX.
Torres, D. K. & Severance, E. (2023). Measuring Equity: GT Data Gathering and Calculations Explained. [Breakout Session]. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) Leadership Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
Torres, D. K. & Haygood, B. (2023). Tapping into Talent Development. [Breakout Session]. Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) Leadership Conference, Fort Worth, TX.