About CoSTAR

Professor James Bennett is Director of CoSTAR National Lab, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor at Royal Holloway, University of London and Director of StoryFutures. His research work spans creative, social and technical aspects of innovation technologies and cultures (AI/XR/VR/AR). He is a strategic leader of large teams and grants, with over £85m of research and commercial R&D income won from across the UK and believes in building inclusive and collaborative work cultures and partnerships. 

Helena is Co-Director of CoSTAR Live Lab and a Professor of Music Science and Technology at the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York. She leads interdisciplinary research that develops new solutions to tangible challenges facing society around accessing and measuring the benefits of musical activities. She has a particular expertise in the human voice and group singing, drawing on her own experiences as a professional singer and teacher. She has worked with partners across health, creative and tech sectors, including Age UK, Opera North, and the BBC, to improve access to musical experiences. 

Gavin Kearney is Co-Director of CoSTAR Live Lab and a Professor of Audio Engineering at the School of Physics Engineering and Technology at the University of York. He is an active researcher, technologist and sound designer for immersive technologies. He graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2002 with an honors degree in Electronic Engineering and has since obtained both MSc and PhD degrees in Audio Signal Processing from Trinity College Dublin. He joined the University of York in January 2011. 

With over 25 years of media industry experience, including 13 years at the BBC, Professor Declan Keeney is the co-founder and CEO of Studio Ulster, located at Belfast Harbour. He champions sustainability through cutting-edge virtual production technologies, and leads the CoSTAR Screen Lab — a £14m R&D&I investment in creative technologies. His recent research on the carbon-reducing potential of virtual production underscores his commitment to achieving net zero in the film, television, and gaming industries. Professor Keeney serves as Northern Ireland Governor on the British Film Institute’s Board, is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, and a member of the British Council’s Arts & Creative Economy Advisory Group. 

Professor Gregor White is Chair of Applied Creativity in the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business at Abertay University in Dundee. A leader in digital interactive entertainment, Gregor has secured over £40 million to establish innovation centres like InGAME and Abertay cyberQuarter. He is also a key contributor to the CoSTAR network, advancing research in creative technologies and fostering collaborations that shape the future of the creative industries.

Jonathan Freeman is a specialist in creative arts and media research, combining academic and commercial expertise in media psychology. With over 25 years of externally funded research, he applies an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of the Creative Industries, Psychology, Design, Education, and Computing. His work spans cultural and commercial sectors, including immersive media, games, live performance, social media, and smart environments. Focused on user experience, he explores impact and opportunities across the creative value chain to enhance service delivery and sustainability.

Professor James Bennett is Director of CoSTAR National Lab, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor at Royal Holloway, University of London and Director of StoryFutures. His research work spans creative, social and technical aspects of innovation technologies and cultures (AI/XR/VR/AR). He is a strategic leader of large teams and grants, with over £85m of research and commercial R&D income won from across the UK and believes in building inclusive and collaborative work cultures and partnerships. 

Helena is Co-Director of CoSTAR Live Lab and a Professor of Music Science and Technology at the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York. She leads interdisciplinary research that develops new solutions to tangible challenges facing society around accessing and measuring the benefits of musical activities. She has a particular expertise in the human voice and group singing, drawing on her own experiences as a professional singer and teacher. She has worked with partners across health, creative and tech sectors, including Age UK, Opera North, and the BBC, to improve access to musical experiences. 

Gavin Kearney is Co-Director of CoSTAR Live Lab and a Professor of Audio Engineering at the School of Physics Engineering and Technology at the University of York. He is an active researcher, technologist and sound designer for immersive technologies. He graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology in 2002 with an honors degree in Electronic Engineering and has since obtained both MSc and PhD degrees in Audio Signal Processing from Trinity College Dublin. He joined the University of York in January 2011. 

With over 25 years of media industry experience, including 13 years at the BBC, Professor Declan Keeney is the co-founder and CEO of Studio Ulster, located at Belfast Harbour. He champions sustainability through cutting-edge virtual production technologies, and leads the CoSTAR Screen Lab — a £14m R&D&I investment in creative technologies. His recent research on the carbon-reducing potential of virtual production underscores his commitment to achieving net zero in the film, television, and gaming industries. Professor Keeney serves as Northern Ireland Governor on the British Film Institute’s Board, is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, and a member of the British Council’s Arts & Creative Economy Advisory Group. 

Professor Gregor White is Chair of Applied Creativity in the Faculty of Design, Informatics and Business at Abertay University in Dundee. A leader in digital interactive entertainment, Gregor has secured over £40 million to establish innovation centres like InGAME and Abertay cyberQuarter. He is also a key contributor to the CoSTAR network, advancing research in creative technologies and fostering collaborations that shape the future of the creative industries.

Jonathan Freeman is a specialist in creative arts and media research, combining academic and commercial expertise in media psychology. With over 25 years of externally funded research, he applies an interdisciplinary approach at the intersection of the Creative Industries, Psychology, Design, Education, and Computing. His work spans cultural and commercial sectors, including immersive media, games, live performance, social media, and smart environments. Focused on user experience, he explores impact and opportunities across the creative value chain to enhance service delivery and sustainability.