Dr Charalampos Psarros is a creative-techie. Strongly multidisciplinary with a passion for innovation through the use of cutting edge technology in new exciting ways, he straddles the intersection between Art and Science, bridging the Creative with the Technical.

A polymath as well as a polyglot, his approach to research, innovation and overall exploration considers a number of different language and culture domains, striving to surpass relevant barriers stifling knowledge exchange. So far qualified in 4 languages (Greek, English, German, Japanese), the aim is to further expand that horizon, further enabling access to an increasingly comprehensive range of resources.

Active in the field of 3D Stereoscopy since being an undergraduate student, he has been publicly lecturing and exhibiting work both nationally and internationally for more than 20 years, latest work being about 3D-Digitising more than 20 million year old prehistoric fossilised tree trunks, where he investigated novel Machine Learning-aided Computational Photography methods to achieve maximum fidelity for use in XR and Immersive Media. He was invited to the biennial World Congress of the International Stereoscopic Union (ISU) in Japan (September 2023), where he presented his work to an international audience. Dr Psarros is no stranger to the ISU, having presented before at the 14th ISU World Congress in Besançon France. He has also lectured and presented his work in the UK since 2002 at various annual events as a member of the British Stereoscopic Society (est. 1893).

Being musically inclined since a toddler, Dr Psarros is rather passionate about music, especially music technology and synthesisers, amassing a growing collection of more than 40 synthesisers and recently also developing his own hardware prototypes using novel digital synthesis methods. Drawing inspiration from his dissertation project as an MA Design student where he created custom control UIs and hardware for controlling synthesisers with touchscreens and VR gloves, he pushed his work to the next level by pursuing and completing a PhD in Computer Science where he created his own touchscreen technologies to use for both creative and industrial applications. The custom touchscreen hardware allowed multiple panels to interconnect and efficiently communicate using methods based on musical instrument digital interfaces, used in a cross-disciplinary way.

Engineering is another domain Dr Psarros is also keen on, being an essential block of Research and Development. Apart from being an integral part of his own R&D work, he has also worked on Task Leader capacity for the EU Horizon2020 funded Engineering project “eDream”. eDream was a multi million euro project developing advanced blockchain based Demand Response technologies. His Engineering Technologist role had him in charge of the projects drone-based Aerial Survey processes, 3D Photogrammetry, Thermal Imaging, LiDAR scanning as well as being in charge of the tech budget for the drones, cameras and relevant aerial survey kit. He also leveraged on his visualization background, procuring advanced 360º technical visualisations in immersive media and Augmented Reality platforms both for dissemination as well as promotion purposes. The project was successfully delivered and presented to the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium with glowing remarks.

Enterprise is also an aspect Dr Psarros is rather keen on, having founded and worked as a Director for two UK Limited companies since 2009, operating on Motion Pictures/Visualisation and Digital Design and Manufacturing respectively. Being familiar with the vast differences between Academia and Enterprise, especially when it comes to Intellectual Property and speed/pace of operations and priorities, he is quite keen to work with existing companies or new startups with the intention to create new IP or improve existing offerings. Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange is one of the main connecting links bridging the ‘academic’ to the ‘practical’ so it is naturally high on Dr Psarros’s priorities, always keen on collaboration on relevant Enterprise and Knowledge Exchange activity.

Considering the emergence of Immersive Media fields such as XR, Spatial Computing and Metaverse applications, all above areas have come full circle for Dr Psarros, merging together his 3D-stereo, Music/Spatial Audio and Engineering and Enterprise interests into one large single field where he is actively engaged in at the moment. He has so far been active on R&D about using VR for Pain Management and Rehabilitation, has successfully delivered consultancy for healthcare providers helping their patients with pain management using VR as well as using Mixed Reality for creative and artistic uses, including painting and live music performance. In addition to head mounted display based media, Dr Psarros is also developing technology and content around glasses-free autostereoscopic 3D-displays, a field he has been experienced with since 2001 through a collaboration with 4D-Vision GmbH, Germany, a company manufacturing autostereoscopic screens.

Using Immersive media in both creative, industrial or health (physical, mental) applications is the main area of interest at the moment, being open for collaborations for existing or new projects as well as accepting PhD students.