Selected Scholarship

Across more than four decades, Dr. Sandra I. Kay’s scholarship has explored how creative thought develops, how talent and expertise become visible over time, and how perception, aesthetic understanding, curiosity, and problem finding shape creative work. Her research is grounded in sustained attention to practice—studying learners, artists, educators, and experts to understand the conditions under which human potential develops.

A collection of ten academic journal covers and publications focused on education, art, psychology, and gifted children. The covers feature various designs, black-and-white photographs, and text titles.
A collection of ten academic journal covers and publications focused on education, art, psychology, and gifted children. The covers feature various designs, black-and-white photographs, and text titles.

Creativity, Problem Finding & Aesthetic Understanding

Research examining how creative individuals perceive and define problems, and how aesthetic preferences shape what captures attention, sustains inquiry, and guides creative judgment.

Talent Development
& Human Potential

Scholarship exploring how curiosity, interests, accomplishments, and developing expertise unfold across time—and how educators can better recognize and support emerging potential.

Elegant Problems &
Creative Thought

Work developing the concept of Elegant Problems as meaningful challenges that sustain creative engagement and invite the possibility of elegant solutions.

Guest Editor

Dr. Sandra I. Kay has served as guest editor for publications exploring giftedness, creativity, and talent development, bringing together scholarship that extends understanding of creative thought and the experiences of gifted learners.