Catherine Cassidy

Catherine Cassidy is a Research Fellow in the School of Computer Science at the University of St Andrews, UK. Her research lies at the intersection of virtual reality, cultural heritage, and immersive learning technologies. She works on innovative applications of digital tools for education, accessibility, and heritage preservation.

Research Interests:

• Virtual Reality and Immersive Simulations
• Digital Cultural Heritage and 3D Digitization
• Accessibility Technologies for Cerebral Visual Impairment
• Climate Change Education through Immersive Media
• Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Graphs in Heritage Contexts
• Public Engagement via Intelligent Virtual Characters

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on using immersive technologies to address global challenges such as climate change and visual accessibility. The articles show consistent integration of computer science methods with real-world applications in education and heritage. She contributes to advancing both technical frameworks and societal impact through participatory design and public exhibitions.

Scientific Awards:

• European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards – ILUCIDARE Special Prize for Cultural Heritage-Led International Relations (2021)

Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, she contributed to a doctoral thesis as an author and collaborated extensively with senior researchers like Dr. Alan Miller. Her work has been supported through collaborative research grants related to heritage and immersive technology, evidenced by multi-institutional projects and public impact initiatives such as CVI-SIM outreach and climate learning platforms.

Labs and Teams: She is actively involved in research teams developing immersive learning systems, particularly within the Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN). She collaborates with interdisciplinary groups working on digital heritage, climate engagement, and accessibility, often partnering with museums and educational institutions across Scotland and internationally.