The Society for
the Neuroscience of
Creativity
We’re a professional society of scientists and practitioners who study how the human brain enables creativity.
SfNC’s mission is to foster research on the neural and cognitive bases of creativity and related constructs, and to provide a forum for communicating this research so that it has maximal impacts for education, health, innovation, and artistic performance.
Learn more about the Society and its mission here, and learn about our ongoing campaign to support creativity research.
News and Announcements
SAVE THE DATE: SfNC Annual Conference
Our 2027 conference will take place 18–20 June in London, UK, at University College London’s 20 Bedford Way venue. The theme is collaborative creativity.
Submissions open in January, and the programme will be announced shortly (yes, we’re switching to British English for the occasion).
Stay tuned for more information.
SfNC 2026 Virtual Event
Creativity Research in the wild
How does the science of creativity hold up outside the lab? We’re bringing researchers and industry practitioners together to discuss how creativity research finds its way into business innovation. Whether you’re a trainee thinking about career paths beyond academia or a practitioner looking for cutting-edge methods, come join us and exchange ideas!
The event is free for SfNC members. Registration is required.
For further details on the event and our speakers, please visit our Event Page.
Already a member? Log in and register to attend.
Thursday, December 3, 11 AM ET
SfNC welcomes its new President, Roger Beaty!
We are thrilled to announce that Roger Beaty, PhD has stepped into the SfNC Presidency role and will serve a two-year term from 2026 to 2028. An Associate Professor at Penn State University and director of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity Lab, Dr. Beaty is widely recognized for his research on the cognitive and neural foundations of creative thinking, alongside his recent cutting-edge work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and creativity assessment.
Having been involved with the society since the early days of his career, Dr. Beaty brings a deeply personal appreciation for the community. In his welcome letter, he reflects on how rewarding it has been to watch SfNC grow in numbers while still holding onto a strong sense of community.
Looking ahead, Dr. Beaty envisions SfNC as a dynamic, year-round home for creativity. His goals include expanding the diversity of perspectives by connecting researchers, artists, educators, and industry practitioners, while placing a special emphasis on creating new professional opportunities for students and trainees. He is also dedicated to advancing the field’s scientific rigor through collaborative efforts like the Creativity Definitions and Ontology projects.
"SfNC has been an important part of my life for many years—not only as a place to share research, but as a place where I’ve found colleagues and collaborators," shares Dr. Beaty. "It’s a privilege for me to help lead this society forward with you all, and I’m excited for the years ahead."
Read Dr. Beaty’s Full Welcome Letter Here
Dr. Beaty takes over from outgoing President Dr. Indre Viskontas (University of San Francisco). Dr. Emmanuelle Volle (Sorbonne Université, ICM, INSERM) is SfNC’s new President-Elect.
Thank you to all who joined us in Philadelphia for the 2026 Annual SfNC Meeting!
Check out the public photo album from the conference
Selected recordings now available on the SfNC member site.
What should the future of creativity research look like? Share your Moonshot Ideas!
What should the future of creativity research look like? We’re gathering visionary ideas—big or small—that could make a big impact and inspire new directions in creativity research or its applications in education, the arts, AI, management, mental health, and beyond. Whether it’s a high-impact theory, a transformative tool, or a practical insight that deserves more attention, we want to hear it.
Ideas shared will help guide next year’s SfNC conference and support a new initiative to bring major visibility (and funding!) to creativity science.
Creativity Masterclasses for Executives
SfNC partners with industry and academic partners to deliver creativity Masterclasses to teams and organizations who want to learn more about the latest research on creativity and how to apply it to their organizations. For more information about Creativity Masterclasses and how to engage with us to deliver one for your organization, fill out the interest form on our Masterclass Page.
Creativity Research Journal is the official journal of SfNC!
CRJ welcomes submissions from all areas of creativity research. Visit the journal page here.
SfNC relies on membership and donations to sustain our mission. Your donation supports SfNC events and initiatives that connect the creativity community, provide opportunities for scholars and educators, and broaden the impacts of creativity research.