Research by the University of Northampton reveals how using LEGO Serious Play can inspire a more creative approach to problem-solving and critical thinking.
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INDULGING in some LEGO Serious Play can strengthen research skills and enhance the creativity of postgraduate students, according to a new study by the University of Northampton.
Using LEGO bricks can change the way in which students approach research and problem-solving.
The UON study started in May 2022 and involved more than 120 students from the university’s Faculty of Business and Law including business, marketing and project management postgraduates.
Led by a trained LEGO Serious Play facilitator, the students followed a structured four-step process: defining a challenge, building a model using LEGO bricks, storytelling to explain the creation and engaging in peer discussion.
Introduced in 2009 by academics from Denmark, academic research has been carried out on LSP, but the Northampton study is the first to look at the application of LEGO Serious Play to enhance research capability.
Dr Patrice Seuwou, UON’s associate professor in learning and teaching who conducted the study, said the approach boosted their confidence, encouraged innovative thinking, and improved their ability to articulate ideas.
“Many students find research daunting, viewing it as rigid and highly technical. LSP enables them to approach ideas in a more dynamic and visual way, making research more accessible and engaging.
“While some students were initially sceptical, many found the approach helped them think more critically and creatively about their research.”
Patrice is also co-lead for UON’s Centre for the Advancement of Racial Equality and said the study found that LSP also helped to overcome some of the barriers to international students succeeding at UK universities.
He said: “Teaching can be of high quality around the world but teaching styles can be very different to the UK with a much more hierarchical relationship between student and teacher and a more formal way of learning.
“Even in the world of smartphones and games consoles, LEGO® is ubiquitous throughout the world, so wherever students are from, they arrive in Northampton knowing the language of creativity. We have been able to demonstrate that LSP can unlock skills they possess but have struggled to express.”
The study was published in the journal Nature last month – one of the world’s most influential academic publications. Following the success of the initial research, Patrice is seeking funding for more LSP training and resources to rollout the approach across the university.
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