September University of Galway launches Centre for Creative Technologies

University of Galway has officially launched its newest research unit - the Centre for Creative Technologies.

The aim of the new centre is to foster and support research and teaching activities that explore and develop links between creative practice and technology and creativity as a principle and practice that extends beyond the arts. 

Building on the University’s strong relationships with the creative community in the western region and beyond, including the Strategic Education Partnerships with Galway International Arts Festival and Druid, the Centre for Creative Technologies will explore the impact on the traditional creative industries of rapid technological change in areas such as immersive reality, artificial intelligence and virtual production processes. 

The Centre’s newly launched PhD in Creative Technologies brings together research that combines critical enquiry with technological and artistic practice to investigate important developments in this field.

University of Galway President Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh officially launched the Centre for Creative Technologies at a special event on campus in the O’Donoghue Centre on Thursday September 21, 2023.

Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said: “University of Galway, our city and our region all have strong bonds with the world of the arts and creativity. These ties have afforded us opportunities that enable our university to grow and develop in special ways, in line with our values of openness, excellence and sustainability. The new Centre for Creative Technologies is symbolic of that and we wish every success to all of those who will tap into this important research entity and the new opportunities it brings.”

Professor Rebecca Braun, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, said: “The Centre for Creative Technologies is an exciting initiative that will support research and teaching initiatives that explore the intersections between creative practice and technology within and beyond the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. It draws on existing strengths in the areas of creativity across the College and will support the kind of interdisciplinary research needed to tackle the key societal challenges we face today.”

University of Galway Vice-President Research and Innovation Professor Jim Livesey said: “We are living at a time when the pace and scale of change in the world of technology is seismic. Now we have an exciting opportunity to harness some of that in the areas of research, teaching and learning by bringing together bright minds in an environment which promotes excellence across our academic disciplines.” 

Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies at University of Galway, said: “We look forward to supporting exciting collaborations between researchers, industry and artists that explore the many ways that creativity and technology intersect with our daily lives.”

The Centre for Creative Technologies is the first research centre of its kind in Ireland, exploring the intersection of creativity and technology across disciplines from within the traditions of the arts. 

As creative engagement with technology is an increasingly central element of our responses to global challenges, the centre will enable researchers, academics and those involved in the arts to bring their expertise and insight to a diverse range of areas of activity, from healthcare to manufacturing to the societal responses to climate change. 

Ahead of the launch of the Centre for Creative Technologies, James Riordan, Brú Theatre, took on a two week Digital Artist-in-Residence where he and his interdisciplinary artist collaborators explored opportunities for technology and creativity, including showcasing the centre's new technologies such as augmented reality virtual reality and motion capture. 

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