The Success of Failure: Perspectives from the Arts, Sciences, Humanities, Education, and Law

A real failure does not need an excuse. It is an end in itself.

- Gertrude Stein

We are all familiar with the many bromides teaching us the value of failure on the path to success, constrained by a view of failure as a means to an end, an unfortunately necessary obstacle to be overcome. What about failure as a good? What about the intrinsic value of failure? How about failure that contains valuable data, not just an error message? Failure that is a critical part of the process, not a means to an end? Can there be such a thing as positive failure? Can failure make progress? Can we use failure to enhance creativity, education, behavior, or innovation? How do we research failure? This two-day conference will investigate these and other perspectives on failure across disciplines, searching for commonalities and differences. It will bring together academic and industry leaders — scholars and practitioners in the arts, sciences (natural and social), humanities, economics, business, law, and education to examine the value of failure in making progress in each of these areas.

Free and open to the public, advance registration required. Please click on the "Register" button above.

For a list of confirmed speakers, conference schedule, and additional information, please visit the Center for Science and Society website.

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

The event is located on the Columbia University campus, within walking distance from the 1, A ,B, C, D subway lines.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please send an email to scienceandsociety@columbia.edu.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, but you may be asked your name in order to check in at the front desk.