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
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.
Important Information About our New SfNC Member Site
As of December 1, 2024, all SfNC membership benefits have been moved to our new member site, which is a different system than our previous membership service. Our annual membership fees have not changed. Active membership for the 2025 year using the new system is required to access the member site to submit conference abstracts or view previous event recordings in our member archives.
If you purchased or renewed your annual SfNC membership between June 1, 2024 and November 30th, 2024, your current membership will be honored for 2025 and you will receive instructions via email for how to access the new system.
Access the new SfNC member site:
Not a member yet or need to renew for 2025?
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.