The Perception Core Research Area of the Faculty of Humanities could win CERN researcher Dr. Pablo Garcia Tello to host a workshop about “creative thinking” in Graz. Special attention will be given to unconventional methods for developing creative and innovative research approaches.
October 8th, 2026
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Meerscheinschlössl Festsaal, Mozartgasse 3, 8010 Graz.
Target group: researchers from all faculties, especially early career researchers and Postdocs
The workshop will be held in English.
Registration until September 20th, 2026 via perception(at)uni-graz.at
About the workshop:
“What Does “Thinking Outside the Box” Really Mean?”
You’re often encouraged, or even expected, to think outside the box. But what does that actually involve? Is it a talent you either have or don’t have, or is it something that can be learned, practiced, and applied on demand?
“Thinking outside the box” is one of the most overused phrases in creative, academic, and professional environments. It’s praised, demanded, and assumed—yet rarely defined, questioned, or broken down into something concrete. As a result, many people are left wondering what’s really being asked of them, and how to respond when originality is required.
In this workshop, we take the phrase seriously. We’ll explore where the idea comes from, what the “box” actually is, and why stepping outside it can feel so difficult. More importantly, we’ll translate the concept into clear starting strategies you can use in real situations. Through talk, guided discussions, and hands-on exercises, you’ll experiment with different ways of reframing problems, challenging assumptions, and generating unexpected solutions.
Whether you work as a researcher, in a creative field, a technical role, or anywhere in between, this workshop is an invitation to move beyond the cliché and turn “thinking outside the box” into a practical, learnable skill.
About the trainer
Pablo Garcia Tello holds a degree in Physics from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, and a PhD in Solid State Physics from the University of the Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain. He completed postdoctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also served as a Teaching Assistant. Dr. Garcia Tello has held significant positions in industry, including roles at Philips and NXP Semiconductors. He later served as Contracts & Programmes Manager at the Aerospace and Defence Industry Association of Europe. Additionally, he has worked as a consultant, advising both private and public sector organizations. Actively involved in European Commission innovation initiatives and funding programs, Dr. Garcia Tello has authored over 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications and holds more than 10 international patents. He has contributed to two books and is the recipient of notable awards, including NXP Semiconductor’s Golden Patent of the Year, the European Falling Walls Award for Innovation Management and the Millenium Mathematics Project New Writers Award for Science Divulgation from Cambridge University. At CERN, he is the section head of CERN’s EU Office. He is also an active member of the European Physical Society and the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, where he provides expertise in innovation policy and strategy.
We would like to thank the Research Careers Campus (RCC) at Graz University for financial support. Generating synergies at our university, we are happy to be cooperating with the RCC and with the Internal Training Unit to provide this opportunity to young career scholars and colleagues.
The workshop is one part of the Symposium: Space, Time and Material: Trajectories between Science and Art