Curiosity is the driving force behind Julie’s research – curiosity about what makes a creative person creative and about the line between creativity, mental health and mental illness (and if it is in fact a line). These kinds of questions have drawn Julie into her PhD research – which she is conducting through the University of New South Wales in Sydney (one of Australia’s leading research universities). Her research is also being conducted in association with the Black Dog institute (one of Australia’s leading centres for research and treatment into depression and bipolar disorder) and the Schizophrenia Research Institute at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney. For both Jeff and Julie, her investigation is integral to the formation of the central ideas in Living With A Creative Mind. Their book is not based solely on experience and interviews but on empirically developed research.
In August 2011, she will be asking for volunteers (both creative and not so creative) to be a part of her study. So if you are interested, keep checking on this page and register your interest. Julie will be posting updates and interesting aspects of the research that she uncovers, for those who are also curious – and find this area as fascinating as she does.