Live Lab

Live Lab is a state-of-the-art R&D facility for the UK’s creative industries, developing cutting-edge technology solutions to revolutionise live performance experiences.

The Live Lab is part of a £75.6m national network of laboratories that are developing new ideas and technologies to ensure the UK stays at the cutting edge of the creative industries.

The high-tech facilities will create immersive, multi-sensory and interactive technologies, incubate startups, train future leaders in the industry and empower diverse voices and new talent across the sector. Led by the University of York, the Live Lab brings together Production Park, Screen Yorkshire, Wakefield Council, Vodafone and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. It is funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Where: Production Park, West Yorkshire

Led by: University of York

Partners: Sony Interactive Entertainment Vodafone Opera North TAIT Megaverse Tileyard North Screen Yorkshire York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority Wakefield Council

External shot of CoSTAR Live Lab

Meet our partners

CALLS ARE OPEN — APPLY FOR ACCESS PROGRAMMES

Our funding programmes are delivered through each of the CoSTAR Network labs. For more information go to Funding & Support

Live Lab Call

18 February 2025

How it works at live lab

Funding

We will be involved in Access Programmes focusing on either Enterprise and Commercialisation (E&C) or Prototyping and pilots Programme (PPP). E&C supports early growth businesses and startups with a series of development programmes and PPP invites innovators to apply for funding for specific project opportunities. The Access Programmes are run by the CoSTAR National Lab and can be accessed from any of our labs across the UK.

Facilities

The Lab's facilities feature dedicated spaces for advancing live performance systems and user experience across screen, stage, and the metaverse. Live Lab drives novel innovations in virtual production workflows including:

User Experience Laboratory

Acoustically isolated Network Performance Studios

‘Future Venues’ main stage experimental performance space

High resolution motion capture systems (marker and markerless)

Immersive audio and visual provision throughout all spaces

VR and XR displays and technologies

Biometric data capture systems

LED Virtual Production Volume

High Performance Computing infrastructure

Private 5G Network

Meet our partners

Lead Partner - University of YorkYork is an ambitious dynamic, research-intensive university committed to the development of life-saving discoveries, new technologies and cultural advances to tackle some of the most pressing global issues. The seven pillars of its research strategy align the University’s academic strengths to best meet the great scientific, social and environmental challenges of our time.

Production ParkProduction Park is the place where global tours are staged, film comes to life, and the virtual becomes reality. Their northern studios are the home of live events and creative technology in Europe. They offer a unique support environment for the creative industry, one that unites technology, creative spaces, and education.

The York and North Yorkshire Combined AuthorityThe York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been created by the City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. Their role is to work with local leaders and communities to invest in ways that will help make York and North Yorkshire a better place to live, work and do business.

Screen YorkshireBased in Leeds, UK, Screen Yorkshire is the engine that drives the film and TV sector in the region. Established in 2002, it has been building Yorkshire’s global reputation as a centre for excellence in the screen industries for more than twenty years, helping to secure its position as one of the most sought-after destinations for content production in the UK.

Wakefield CouncilWakefield Council serves c325,000 people in a district which includes Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, Featherstone, Normanton, Knottingley, and Hemsworth.

Vodafone TechnologyVodafone Technology is built on more than 40 years of technological breakthroughs. Since making the first mobile phone call in 1985, they have pioneered fixed and mobile technology, including the first ever space-based 5G call on a conventional smartphone.

MegaverseMegaverse are an interactive studio that uses digital innovation to develop bespoke immersive experiences for audiences around the world.

Opera NorthOpera North creates extraordinary experiences every day, using music and opera to entertain, engage, challenge and inspire.

TAITFounded in 1978 by Michael Tait, TAIT made a name in rock ‘n’ roll, quickly becoming one of the most innovative suppliers of touring staging, scenic, and automation for live events. Decades later, they continue to build on their fearless legacy of constant improvement.

Tileyard NorthTileyard North is a 135,000 sqft creative industries hub on Wakefield's Waterfront. When re-generation is complete, it will be the UK’s largest creative community outside of London; a mixed-use, creative and cultural cluster with state-of-the-art facilities.

Sony Interactive EntertainmentSony Interactive Entertainment pushes the boundaries of entertainment and innovation, starting from the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. Today, they continue to deliver innovative and thrilling experiences to a global audience through their PlayStation line of products and services that include generation-defining hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games.

Meet the Team

Professor Helena DaffernCo-Director, CoSTAR Live Lab

Read Bio

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.

Professor Gavin KearneyCo-Director

Read Bio

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.

Professor Damian MurphyCo-Investigator

Read Bio

Damian is Professor in Sound and Music Computing at the AudioLab in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York, UK, where his research focuses on the development and creative application of immersive audio and virtual acoustic modelling. He is an active sound artist, and the Director of the XR Stories Creative Industries R&D Partnership and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council XR Network+ project, both exploring the next generation of convergent immersive and interactive media technologies for the UK’s creative industries and wider digital economy.

Glen KellyProgramme Manager

Read Bio

Glen Kelly is Programme Manager for CoSTAR Live Lab.

Phil AdlamCTO

Read Bio

Professor Jonathan HookCo-Investigator

Read Bio

Jon is a Professor of Interactive Media in the University of York’s School of Arts and Creative Technologies. He is CoSTAR Live Lab’s UX Lead and Access Programme Lead. His research is in the field of Human-Computer Interaction and explores the design, development and human experience of new interactive media content forms and tools to support their creation. He has a particular interest in how new forms of responsive and immersive media content can be applied to address societal challenges.

Dr. Dar’ya GuarneraVR Worldbuilding Lead and EDI Champion

Read Bio

Dar’ya Guarnera is the CoSTAR Live Lab VR Worldbuilding Lead and an EDI Champion. She is a Lecturer in Creative AI at the School of Arts and Creative Technologies, University of York, where she leads the MSc in AI for Creative Industries programme.

Her areas of expertise include the application of AI in computer graphics, with a focus on incorporating knowledge of human perception of material appearance to improve rendering quality and 3D visualisation. Dar’ya obtained her PhD in Computer Science from Loughborough University and gained significant expertise in human perception as a Guest Researcher in the Department of Psychology at the Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany.

Jacob CooperTechnical Specialist in Immersive Audio

Read Bio

Jacob is a Technical Specialist in Immersive Audio at CoSTAR Live Lab. He graduated from the University of York, UK with an MSc in Audio & Music Technology in 2022 and joined Professor Gavin Kearney’s research team. His expertise is in immersive audio for Extended Reality (XR) experiences using Ambsonics and audiovisual workflows for the production of immersive content.

Jack HardwickTechnical Specialist in Creative Technologies

Read Bio

Jack is the Technical Specialist in Creative Technologies for CoSTAR Live Lab, where he manages the day-to-day running and technical implementation of Live Lab’s state-of-the-art facilities. His research interests include motion capture, biometric analysis of musical experiences, interactive music systems, and AI for real-time music generation. He holds an MPhil in Music, Communication & Technology from the University of Oslo, Norway and a BA in Music Composition & Technology from Carleton College in Minnesota, USA.

Alan Pedrassoli ChitayatPDRA

Read Bio

Alan is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at CoSTAR Live Lab, specializing in Machine Learning (ML) for enhancing live audience experiences. His PhD research focused on applying ML to enrich storytelling in broadcasts, developing end-to-end solutions for real-world challenges. With three years of industry experience and five years of dedicated research experience, Alan brings a deep understanding of applied ML. His work aims to create solutions that leave a lasting and meaningful impact across live entertainment and interactive media.