Michael Nixon

Michael Nixon is an Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) and Associate Director at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology (ICCIT) at the University of Toronto. His work bridges artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and game studies, focusing on procedural literacy and immersive technologies.

• PhD in Interactive Arts & Technology from Simon Fraser University
• MSc in Interactive Arts & Technology from Simon Fraser University
• BSc in Computer Science from Vancouver Island University
• Diploma in Digital Media Technology from Vancouver Island University

Research Areas:

• Believable Characters: Cognitive modeling, procedural animation, and AI-driven social interactions in games and simulations
• Extended Reality: Designing immersive AR/VR experiences with touch-responsive interfaces
• Procedural Literacy: Integrating coding skills into humanities and social sciences education

Teaching Focus:

• CCT111 Critical Coding
• CCT261 Information Architecture and Usability
• CCT483 Play, Performance, and Community in Digital Games