A serious attitude toward gaming

Professor Karen Blackmore - Leading Digital Innovation, Workforce Transformation, and Human-Centred Technology Research

Professor Karen Blackmore is an award-winning academic leader and technology researcher whose career is defined by a passion for solving complex problems at the intersection of people, data, and emerging technologies. Currently Head of the School of Information and Physical Sciences at the University of Newcastle, Karen brings strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary school spanning computer science, software engineering, IT, data science, physics, and mathematics, while championing innovation and industry engagement.

A trailblazer in applied research, Karen has built strong partnerships across sectors including defence, health, education, energy, and transport to explore how simulation, artificial intelligence, and immersive technologies can be used to address critical workforce and training needs. As Director of the University’s Centre for Applied and Responsible AI (CARA) and co-lead of the “Life-Ready Graduates” strategic pillar, she is at the forefront of aligning academic expertise with the skills and systems needed for Australia’s digital future.

Simulation, Strategy, and Responsible AI

Karen’s recent research and leadership have coalesced around the responsible integration of AI and immersive technologies into complex human systems. As founding Director of the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Applied and Responsible AI (CARA), she leads a cross-disciplinary team tackling real-world challenges in defence, healthcare, education, and logistics. The Centre focuses on ethical, sustainable, and human-centred design for AI-enabled systems.

Her research spans simulation and AR/VR training environments, AI-assisted decision-making, and cognitive performance optimisation. Recent projects include immersive tutoring platforms, port-hinterland optimisation under the Australia–Germany DAAD scheme, and Living Lab pilots applying AI to aged care.

Through CARA and the i3 Lab, Karen is positioning the Hunter region as a national hub for applied AI and simulation, partnering with industry and government to drive digital transformation and sovereign capability.

Policy and Standards Leadership

A sought-after voice in technology governance, Karen contributes to multiple national and international committees, including Standards Australia and ISO working groups on metaverse safety, augmented reality, and digital health. She is an executive member of the Australian Council for Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health and a university nominee to the Australian Public Service Academy Campus Steering Committee in Newcastle, where she works to align local research strengths with national capability needs.

Driving Equity in STEM and Beyond

As a founder of the HunterWiSE initiative, Karen has long championed gender equity in science and technology. Through regional outreach, school programs, and industry mentoring networks, she has expanded access to STEM careers for girls and women while reshaping the narrative around who gets to solve the big problems of our time.

Karen’s contributions have been recognised through numerous awards for leadership, equity, and impact, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Excellence Award and national recognition as a finalist in the Women in Defence Awards and Australian Defence Industry Awards.

For Karen, research, leadership, and engagement are unified by a single goal: to connect people with technology in ways that are ethical, effective, and equitable.