Hither and Thither: How Do We Innovate?

The Dembo-Wright Lecture provided a forum to discuss how innovation occurs in general and in rehabilitation psychology. The 21st Century will rely upon the creation and enhancement of knowledge. Universities, industries and professional disciplines are challenged to develop models that nurture their development of knowledge jobs that create new systems or products. A new model of nurturing innovation: The Rainforest, relies upon creating ecosystems that bring together and support the critical groups allowing instances that propel spontaneous growth of sustainable enterprises. Over the last 3 decades, rehabilitation psychology has seen disruptive-yet productive-innovation when thought leaders in the field have introduced ideas that move the discipline to entirely new areas of discussion. For rehabilitation psychology, consideration of new models of practice that address the huge needs of the developing world are warranted. The complexity of nurturing innovation in differing environments must be addressed. Progress to date indicates that understanding and defining the interface between machines and humans will be critical to the future of rehabilitation psychology.