/0x127:2430x1494/prod01/channel_3/media/cardiff-met/content-assets/images/close-up-of-laptop-computer.jpg)
/135x0:2295x1620/prod01/channel_3/media/cardiff-met/content-assets/images/close-up-of-laptop-computer.jpg)
The Creative Computing Research Centre (CCRC) conducts cutting-edge research in data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and human-computer interaction (HCI) to tackle complex societal and human wellbeing challenges.
Part of the Cardiff School of Technologies, the Centre develops innovative applications and technologies for a diverse range of users and experiences, aiming to harness the best of both humans and machines.
It collaborates with academic institutions, industry partners and communities in Wales and across the globe to explore the intersection of technology, creativity and people.
The Centre also provides consultancy services for a range of industries, including software engineering, education, business, healthcare, and gaming, among others.
Dr Fiona Carroll, Dr Hasan Kahtan Al-Ani and Dr Joel Pinney are currently collaborating with Miller Research, having been commissioned by the Welsh Government to lead a study on defining a Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) for Wales.
This pioneering project seeks to address digital inequality by determining what constitutes an acceptable baseline of digital inclusion – covering access to devices, internet connectivity, digital literacy, and the ability to engage safely and confidently online.
Research themes
The Centre’s key research themes are:
- Games – This theme explores games as complex cultural, social and technological artifacts. It examines how games are designed, developed, played and understood, considering their impact on human behaviour, identity and society.
- Educational technology – This theme focuses on the design, development, evaluation and impact of technology in educational settings. It covers both using technology to enhance existing educational experiences and creating innovative tools for new forms of learning and teaching.
- Software engineering and AI – This theme examines the intersection of software engineering and artificial intelligence, focusing on how AI can enhance the design, development, maintenance and optimisation of software systems.
- AI and data – This theme investigates how advanced AI algorithms and data-driven approaches can transform various industries and research. It also covers innovative research in spreadsheet productivity and risk assessment.
- Human-centred health and technology – This theme studies the dynamic relationship between people, health and technology, focusing on how digital innovations can enhance healthcare delivery, patient outcomes and overall physical and mental wellbeing.
Use CCRC’s expertise
Combining decades of industry experience with academic expertise, the Centre offers consultancy services to organisations across a broad range of sectors – here in Wales and further afield.
The Centre advises on the design, implementation and optimisation of technology-driven solutions involving:
- AI and software engineering
- Human-computer interaction
- Accessibility and inclusivity
- Spreadsheet risk and productivity
- Education technology
- Large language models (LLMs)
And these practical, evidence-based solutions can help organisations:
- Enhance their efficiency
- Improve user experience
- Adopt AI responsibly
- Reduce organisational risk
- Make faster, more effective decisions
Past work includes consulting on teaching and learning pedagogies and assessment, computing through the medium of Welsh in higher education, and decolonisation of curriculum and delivery.
Get in touch
To find out more about working with CCRC, please email ccrc.info@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
The Digital Technology Learning Support Network (DTLSN) – a project spearheaded by Centre member Dr Fiona Carroll – provides digital education courses, workshops, STEAM clubs and bootcamps to schools, charities, businesses and organisations across Wales.
DTLSN’s objective is to empower people of all ages with essential digital skills so they can fully participate in today’s world.
Aimed at everyone from beginners to professionals, these tailored courses cover topics ranging from cybersecurity and machine learning to creative coding.
Download the DTLSN Research and Innovation case study.
A KTP is a part-funded partnership between a business, a university and a graduate designed to embed academic expertise, accelerate innovation and drive strategic change.
In this video, thematic lead Dr Simon Thorne discusses a KTP project with Yard, a technical and digital agency, that helped keep the business at the forefront of the marketplace.
You can read more about the project in the National Centre for Universities and Business’s report ‘State of the Relationship’.
Specialist facilities
The Centre is equipped with a dedicated multipurpose laboratory designed for its usability, accessibility and inclusivity studies, as well as cutting-edge development.
The lab features a g.tec Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) cap for real-time EEG monitoring, a Consensys GSR Development Kit for measuring emotional arousal through skin conductance, and eye-tracking systems for analysing visual attention and user interaction.
Complementing these are RFID sensors for smart object tracking and Creality 3D printing capabilities for rapid prototyping of custom hardware and interactive components.
Partnerships
- Apple
- Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council
- Bridgend County Borough Council
- Cardiff Council
- CGI
- Cynnal
- European Spreadsheet Risk Interest Group
- Hillool
- Knowledge Observation Group
- Living Room
- Natural Resources Wales
- Neath Port Talbot Council
- Powys County Council
- Transparency, Expertise, Society and Technology in AI
- Welsh Government
- Vale of Glamorgan Council
- Dr Simon Cropper, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Professor Phil Legg, University of West of England, England
- Professor Andy Newton, Nottingham Trent University
- Dr Radhika Selvamani, Vellore Institute of Technology, India
- Dr Sowmya Somanath, University of Victoria, Canada
- Dr Maggie Webb, University of Melbourne, Australia
- Professor Vishanth Weerakkody, Bradford University
- Professor Harry Collins, University of Bristol
- Professor Robert Evans, Cardiff University
Key staff
- Dr Fiona Carroll (Director)
- Dr Simon Thorne (Thematic lead)
- Dr Bola Omisade (Thematic lead)
- Dr Raj Ramachandran (Thematic lead)
- Dr Hasan Kahtan Al-Ani (Thematic lead)
- Dr Simon Scarle (Thematic lead)
- Dr Joel Pinney (Early Career Representative)
- Parastoo Porhonar (Doctoral Student Representative)
Latest publications
View the latest publications from the CCRC.
Featured stories
Accolades
Dr Fiona Carroll was awarded the prestigious National Teaching Fellowship Award in 2024.
Dr Raj Ramachandran was honoured by Tamil University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, in 2015 in recognition for his contribution to the field of Tamil computing.
Find out more
Visit Creative Computing Research Centre’s research explorer page to learn more about its members, research outputs, collaborations and how its work contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
You can also follow the Centre on LinkedIn.