HYBRIDS

Scientists as Artists and Artists as Scientists

Bob Root-Bernstein is a scientist, historian, artist and writer whose work focuses on creative processes across all of these domains of human endeavor. He earned his bachelors degree in biochemistry, with a minor in science in human affairs, as well as his doctorate in the history of science, from Princeton University, where he was Thomas Kuhn’s research assistant. He then did post-doctoral research in theories of biology with Jonas Salk at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies where he received one of the first MacArthur Fellowships (1981). That award gave him the freedom to further his transdisciplinary studies. Following two years doing research in Art Yuwiler’s neurobiochemistry lab at the Wadsworth V. A. Hospital in Brentwood, CA and a year teaching a course on the creative process for the honors college at UCLA, he moved to Michigan State University, where he spent the rest of his career. He now spends his time writing books and making art.

About

HYBRIDS Is About Polymathy In General and Art-Science Connections In Specific

                Are you a scientist with artistic leanings? An artist fascinated by science? A young person who is attracted to both but under pressure to choose one or the other? A teacher or professor trying to integrate the arts into science education? A follower of the STEAM, SEAD, S+T+ARTS movements? Or perhaps you are a polymath, hybridizing your various disciplinary talents? Then this site is for you!

                I and my wife, Michele Root-Bernstein, are the founders of modern polymathy studies:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymath  

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-56869-6_20

                We’re the folks who did that famous study showing that eminent scientists are far more likely to be artists, musicians, performers and craftspeople as adults than the average scientist or the typical citizen:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247857346_Arts_Foster_Scientific_Success_Avocations_of_Nobel_National_Academy_Royal_Society_and_Sigma_Xi_Members

Click to access 2008-rootbernstein.pdf

https://ww2.americansforthearts.org/node/8305

                We’ve followed that up with an even more extensive two-part study looking at the avocations of Nobel laureates in sciences, economics, literature and peace):

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341517921_A_Statistical_Study_of_Intra-Domain_and_Trans-Domain_Polymathy_among_Nobel_Laureates?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6Il9kaXJlY3QifX0

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360178406_Polymathy_Among_Nobel_Laureates_As_a_Creative_Strategy-_The_Qualitative_and_Phenomenological_Evidence

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/analysis-what-many-nobel-laureates-have-in-common-and-how-it-can-be-learned

                But more importantly, we’ve started this website in order to provide students, teachers, professors and polymaths of every sort a place where you can find the materials that will support your teaching and learning and develop your own, idiosyncratic path to hybridization. We’ll feature posts about role models who inspire; links to integrative lessons plans that have been proven to integrate arts and sciences effectively; best learning practices; and much more. So, stay tuned and check in frequently!