Innovation is the creation of new objects or ideas - it is the process by which people introduce, re-think, adapt, surprise, generate, transform, and otherwise move some part of the world in a new direction. Innovation brings attention to human agency and creativity, and the importance of recognizing our capacity to think, act, and react beyond "the norm" or what is expected. The 2010 NCFR annual conference theme is "Families and Innovation." Plenary sessions will highlight new research on family issues that push against conventional ideas and/or illustrate the gaps between what we know and what we could know if we did things differently. The intention behind this theme is to invigorate the work of family researchers, teachers, policy makers, and practitioners by creating a forum for intellectually rigorous exploration, conversation, and debate.