The KAI Foundation’s Strong Connection with Virginia Tech University
Since the official birth of Dr Michael Kirton’s ‘Adaption-Innovation’ theory in 1976, the research and application surrounding his work has taken many forms. With more than 100 PhD theses, 350 academic papers and 2 seminal books, Kirton’s theory has reached all four corners of the globe. He has affected every imaginable type of person, industry and organisation – and his legacy lives on through a global network of KAI practitioners.
While Kirton initially collaborated closely with Hertfordshire University in the 1970s, an equally strong partnership has been formed in the 21st century. Virginia Tech University in the USA has become an invaluable partner for facilitating the research, education and application of Kirton’s theory.
Now, in 2023, the KAI Foundation’s partnership with Virginia Tech University remains stronger than ever.
The KAI Foundation has a strong connection with Virginia Tech University
Pictured: Nicola Kirton, CEO of the KAI Foundation, and Megan Seibel, Director of the VALOR Program at Virginia Tech
Hosting Accreditation Courses and Connecting International Practitioners
When Dr Michael Kirton sadly passed away in 2020, his daughter, Nicola Kirton, took over the reins of KAI, safeguarding her father’s legacy and building even stronger ties with Virginia Tech. Since then, the university has been commissioned to host a global certification course for Adaption-Innovation theory, twice a year, at its Center for Cooperative Problem Solving.
The accreditation courses are led by Dr Megan Seibel, Dr Curtis Friedel and Dr Priscilla Wolfe at Virginia Tech. These three experts also oversee the research, scholarship and application of the KAI theory, alongside Nicola Kirton from the UK.
“Virginia Tech has trained new practitioners from countries across the world. There is an active community of consultants who use Dr Kirton’s work – from Italy to Brazil, India to Australia, and almost every region of the world in between,” said Dr Curtis Friedel. “As co-founder of the CCPS at Virginia Tech, we are extremely proud to be the hub for accreditation in this world-leading measure.”
Facilitating Profound Self-Understanding and Supporting Organisations Worldwide
Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Inventory is a rigorously tested academic measure which assesses someone’s preference for structure in their life. Whether at work, rest or play, a person’s problem-solving style affects everything they do – and the KAI identifies our innate preferences for generating ideas and utilizing structures and rules to implement ideas.
After working with Virginia Tech professors to understand the implications of their score, many individuals experience profound self-understanding, and a renewed perspective on how they interact with tasks and other individuals on problem-solving teams. Dozens of world-leading organizations use KAI to improve teamwork and foster creativity, and Virginia Tech is integral in advancing this work.
If you would like to learn more about Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Theory, please email nicola.kirton@kai.foundation
