The Medici Effect: Building Interdisciplinary Intersections to Maximize Innovation

Abstract: The most groundbreaking discoveries in history are in the collision of diverse fields, perspectives, and cultures. This presentation will introduce participants to the Medici Effect, which posits that creating spaces for intersection amongst fields fosters radical breakthroughs that are unachievable within a single discipline (Johansson, 2004). Participants will explore how progressive innovations arose in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) through the intersections of multiple fields. Participants will be encouraged to develop wide-ranging personal interests, knowledge, and connections to approach complexities with more flexible repertoires to generate novel solutions to problems (Epstein, 2019). We will examine barriers that impede intersectional growth within the field of ABA and discuss strategies for leveraging interdisciplinary skill-building (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2020). Interactive exercises will challenge participants to reduce associational barriers to generate creative ideas. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will have strategies to be a catalyst for innovative growth within our professional community.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the Medici Effect and explain strategies for creating intersections across fields, cultures, and perspectives to foster innovation.

2. Assess and critically evaluate the barriers to intersectional innovation within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.

3. Craft strategies to drive innovative breakthroughs in Applied Behavior Analysis by leveraging cross-disciplinary expertise.