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IA40340

Academic Year 2026/2027

Leadership for Innovation and Creativity (OL) (IA40340)

Subject:
Innovation Academy
College:
VP - Research, Innov & Impact
School:
Innovation Academy
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Ms Jacinta Owens
Trimester:
Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS PROGRAMME BASED. THIS MODULE IS NOT OPEN TO OTHER UCD STUDENTS.

This module introduces participants to the mindsets, skills and practical tools necessary to develop a creative leadership practice, one that cultivates a workplace culture where creativity and innovation flourish.

To navigate challenges such as the sustainability crisis, technological disruption, changing working life and shifting global complexity, today's leaders require the mindsets, skills, and tools to seize opportunity and lead creative innovation. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 names Creative Thinking as among the top two most important skills for workers, recognising the importance of the ability to adapt to disruption . Attitudes such as empathy, active listening, leadership and social influence, are identified in the Report as key. 1,500 CEOs, interviewed in face to face meetings for IBM’s fourth Global CEO Study, 'Capitalising on Complexity' cited 'creativity' as the most important leadership quality.

This module explores a new kind of leadership which unlocks creativity and innovation in the workplace. Learners will explore their personal strengths, weaknesses, mindsets and values as a creative, innovative leader, working in any sector. They will learn how to lead teams in experimentation, creative problem solving and idea generation. They will be introduced to the skills of holding the tension of ambiguity as part of leading an organisational innovation process. They will acquire the skills to strengthen self awareness, self reflection and resilience. They will practice team collaboration in experiential problem solving challenges.

Participants learn among a community of like minded people. The Innovation Academy actively encourages professional friendships and the development of rich long term connections. We support the creation of new innovation networks. Guests from the Innovation Academy’s extensive Alumni Network will enhance the course experience, sharing real life insights and learnings from challenges. Learners will receive support from experienced Entrepreneurial Specialists who are practitioners in the skills and mindsets of creative leadership. It is expected that participants will experience career progression.

For more details, please go to: https://www.innovationacademy.ie/courses/ucd-professional-diploma-in-creativity-innovation-and-leadership/

Notes:
Enrolment in an Innovation Academy module means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at all scheduled classes.

We limit our class size to 40 students or less. We require a minimum of 16 participants to ensure enough people for teamwork and a dynamic classroom environment. On very rare occasions, if fewer than 16 registered students register, we will offer students the opportunity to join another class.

UCD Innovation Academy : About Us

At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are a group of Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, business and social entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, creative professionals and design thinking practitioners.

We take an action-oriented approach to learning, with a combination of individual, group and class tasks and activities, including discussions, presentations and reflection. All of our teaching is grounded in academic rigour, and our focus is on learning from doing in a real-world context.

www.innovationacademy.ie

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion the learner should be able to:

• Unlock creativity in self, teams and workplaces
• Collaborate with others in ambiguous or unpredictable environments
• Cultivate skills for influencing, negotiating and creative problem solving
• Develop a capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection
• Build an ongoing creative leadership practice, acting with creative confidence in the world.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Proficient

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Proficient

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Proficient

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Proficient

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Proficient

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Novice

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Proficient

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

30

Lectures

5

Small Group

25

Conversation Class

5

Practical

5

Total

100


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
All Innovation Academy modules take a 'learning from doing' approach, combining individual and group activities including presentations, discussion and reflection.

Active/task-based learning
Real-world challenges
Teamwork
Reflective Learning
Enquiry & Problem-based learning
Student Presentations


Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Reflection Report or a video or creative component equivalent Week 1 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
20
Yes
Participation in Learning Activities: This module requires active participation and engagement, which necessitates full attendance at ALL scheduled classes. In class and autonomous Challenges and Exercises and Project Presentations. Week 1 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
80
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given to students upon request. This will include feedback based on their participation through out the module and their deliverables.

'Leading Public Sector Innovation. Co-creating a Better Society' (Second Edition ). Author: Christian Bason. Publisher: Policy Press, University of Bristol (2018)
'Dare to Lead' Author: Brene Brown. Publisher:Penguin Random House (2018)

Name Role
Sara Carroll Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mrs Gwen Kenny Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dorcas Réamonn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Fiona Rowley Tutor