I have been a Lecturer at Abertay since 2021. I am passionate about exploring the interplay between games, player experience, and data analysis, with a particular interest in competitive games as a space for investigating interactions, fairness, and skill.

My research seeks to understand how we can design more engaging games and how we can effectively measure player engagement and enjoyment. I am particularly interested in applying data-driven approaches to understand and enhance player behaviour.

My PhD (Computer Science at Glasgow University with Prof Alice Miller, 2021) investigated the use of formal methods, specifically probabilistic model checking, for game balancing. In this work, I combined theoretical investigations with practical game development, creating a mobile game and using automated verification techniques which I then compared to actual player behaviour.

I am the Competitive Game Lab Lead and have established the associated research group. We have a research agenda focused on competitive gaming, player behavior, and game accessibility. Our mission is 'to widen access to competitive games', both through technological innovation and an enhanced understanding of the social and technical barriers to play, aiming to foster more inclusive and engaging gaming experiences.

I am also active in the use of games technology for social good, particularly in community-driven healthcare applications like reminiscence therapy.

For accessible highlights of my recent work, see:

• This coverage of the launch of the Competitive Games Lab at Abertay
• This short paper from Pete Gordon on a predictive model for engagements in Counter Strike
• An invited talk given to Alzheimer Scotland's Annual Conference (2024) on The Football Memories Project, aiding reminiscence therapy with virtual reality for Dementia-care
• This short paper from Erin Hughes on work we did together  considering a new form of assessment for games programming education in first-year

My research program explores the application of analytical and technological methods to enhance player experience and accessibility in games, with a particular focus on competitive environments and the use of games for positive impact.

My research interests include:

• Competitive gaming and esports:
  • Player and population skill analysis
  • Asymmetric and dynamic play
  • Competition as an avenue for resilience
• Game accessibility:
  • I investigate technological solutions to known barriers
  • Social accessibility and game-community policing
• XR for health and well-being:
  • Games and VR for dementia-care, aiming to improve the efficacy of reminiscence therapy
  • Rehabilitative therapy in VR
• Game balancing:
  • I develop formal methods for strategic analysis
  • Automated balancing and configuration
  • Matchmaking and ranking systems
• Computer Science education:
  • Teaching programming to beginners
  • Modern forms of assessment

I also maintain an active interest in role-playing and boardgames and football analytics.

I am currently supervising:

• Jooho Lee on their MPhil “Search and Destroy: Implementing Believability Characteristics in Adaptive AI Opponents via Synthetic Play Data”, due to submit in Summer 2025.
• Dr Pete Gordon on their PhD "Gateway to esports: Enhancing access and retention for casual audiences in competitive video games”, due to submit in Spring 2027.
• Gaz Robinson on their PhD "Infinite Playgrounds: Procedural level generation for 3D platformers”, due to submit in Autumn of 2031.
• Lyes Oussaiden on their MbR "Memory through Touch: Designing Multisensory Experiences for People Living with Dementia", Dr Andrew Reid is the primary supervisor, due to submit in Autumn of 2026.

I teach both programming and design students. Modules include: Data Structures & Algorithms (CMP105), Games Programming (CMP201), Professional Projects (DES315), Professional Development (CMP424) and Honours Project Tutorials (CMP400).

I supervise dissertation projects for Games Programming Honours, Game Design & Production Honours, the Games Technology MSc and the AI & UX MSc.