(Posted October 26, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation, education and human resources, will speak at Juniata College at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 3, in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Academic Center on the Juniata campus.


During his lecture, Robinson will clarify creative challenges facing business and education in the modern global economy. Robinson's latest book, "The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything," outlines how people who do what they love -- who are in their element -- are protected against unpredictable changes and are able to contribute to a more flexible and productive society.


The lecture is free and open to the public.

He has lead a national commission on creativity, education and the economy, worked with governments and organizations around the world to develop and implement strategies for change, and continually collaborates with groups and organizations to help design more creative and practical approaches in education, culture and business.

Robinson's report from that commission "All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture and Education," received acclaim from both media and politicians. ""It should have every CEO and human resources director thumping the table and demanding action," wrote a commentator in The Times of London.

John Cleese, actor, director and former member of Monty Python, said of "The Element," "Ken Robinson writes brilliantly about the different ways in which creativity is undervalued and ignored in Western culture and especially in our educational system."

Robinson, a central figure in his discipline, has a distinguished background. He has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia, with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit corporations and some of the world's leading cultural organizations.
Although his messages are serious and enlightening, Robinson delivers them in a passionate and humorous way.

Robinson is the recipient of numerous awards by over 200 global and European companies including in 2001 the SfB Business Speaker of the Year. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003, and named one of Time/Fortune/CNN's "Principal Voices" in 2005. He received the Peabody Award in 2008, and the Benjamin Franklin Medal in 2008.

He is professor emeritus of education at the University of Warwick in England.

Written by: Molly Sollenberger

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.