Thomas Linehan

Dr. Thomas Linehan is the founder of the Arts and Technology (ATEC) program and director of the Institute for Interactive Arts and Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas. He held the Arts and Humanities Distinguished Chair from September 2007, established by Mrs. Eugene McDermott's 2004 donation to support internationally recognized scholarship in arts and humanities.

His educational background includes a master's degree and doctorate in art education and computer animation from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Linehan's research focuses on the integration of technology and creative disciplines, with expertise in:

• Computer Animation
• Media Arts Technology Development
• Interactive Arts Engineering
• Educational Planning for Arts-Technology Convergence

He pioneered industry-aligned degree programs at Ohio State University's Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design, Texas A&M University's Visualization Laboratory, and The Ringling School of Art and Design's Computer Animation Program, emphasizing advanced computing environments for practical arts education. His international consulting work established similar programs in The Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, and Canada.

Professional experience spans academia and industry leadership, including presidency at The Ringling School of Art and Design (overseeing enrollment growth, strategic planning, and facility development), senior vice presidency at global architecture firm CRSS Architects (pioneering computer-based design systems), and roles as college president, associate dean, research laboratory director, and professor.

He founded UT Dallas's Institute for Interactive Arts and Engineering to advance cross-disciplinary research and education at the intersection of arts, engineering, and emerging technologies.