Why imagination is the highest form of research

There was a particular moment in my teaching career when I asked a room full of graduate students to imagine a world beyond what they saw around them.

We were discussing creativity, and I could sense their hesitation—they were accustomed to relying on facts, on what was tangible and “real.” I shared that Einstein once said, “Imagination is the highest form of research.”

I explained that to imagine is not just to picture reality but to see beyond it, to let curiosity stretch out in directions that facts alone could never reach.

Imagination is a driving force behind breakthroughs in every field, from science and technology to art and social change. It allows us to envision solutions to challenges, explore untapped possibilities, and shape a world that reflects not only what exists but also what we hope to create. By embracing the power of imagination, we open doors to innovation and transformation that facts and logic alone cannot unlock.

One student, who had been working on a project she felt was “too unrealistic,” told me after class that she finally saw her project differently—as a way to envision what could be, rather than only what was likely.

It was a turning point for her, and a reminder of how rare and powerful imagination truly is.

We humans are blessed with an extraordinary gift—the ability to envision a world beyond the ordinary.

Let’s make good use of that gift.

Imagination is a powerful gift that allows us to envision possibilities beyond the ordinary and stretch beyond the constraints of facts and reality. In a pivotal teaching moment, I encouraged graduate students to imagine a world beyond what they saw, sharing Einstein’s insight that “imagination is the highest form of research.” This shift in perspective helped one student reframe her “unrealistic” project as a vision of what could be, not just what was likely. Imagination is a transformative tool for creativity and innovation—let’s embrace its potential to shape the future.