Chris Child

Dr. Chris Child is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at City, University of London, and currently serves as the Associate Dean for Employability and Engagement since 2020. He leads initiatives such as virtual internships, client-based projects, and the Last Mile training program in collaboration with Accenture. As a researcher, he focuses on AI-driven game agents, employing techniques like reinforcement learning and approximate dynamic programming. Additionally, he founded Childish Things Ltd., a computer game company, and pioneered City’s first Data Science apprenticeship program. His academic journey includes a PhD in Approximate Dynamic Programming from City, University of London (2011), alongside leadership in game development and industry-academia partnerships.

His educational background encompasses a BSc in Computer Science and Software Engineering (University of Birmingham, 1993), MSc in Cognitive Science (University of Birmingham, 1994), and a PGDip in Academic Practice (City, University of London, 2004). Professional memberships include the British Computing Society and IEEE.

Research interests center on intelligent agents for games, robotics, and healthcare applications. Notable projects include the Cricket Captain game series, virtual laparoscopic training tools, and emotion-based reward systems for AI agents. His work bridges academic research with industry, emphasizing practical applications of AI in gaming and education.

Advising and grants are not explicitly detailed, but his role in apprenticeship development highlights his commitment to student employability. His company Childish Things Ltd. exemplifies full-stack game development expertise, from design to marketing. Future research aims to integrate agent research into commercial games and improve software engineering practices in gaming.