Ian Williams is Professor of Visual Computing at Birmingham City University, where he leads research in immersive technologies, computer vision, and human–computer interaction. An internationally recognised scholar, he has built a strong track record of research leadership, industry collaboration, and teaching excellence. He co-founded the Digital Media Technology Lab, growing it into a world-class research centre, and his work has been recognised with awards including Best Research with Industry (2023), Role Model in Knowledge Exchange (2022) and best of the best from Innovate UK. Ian has published widely in leading international venues and has played a key role in shaping the global immersive technology community as co-chair of IEEE ISMAR in 2022 and 2023, and as General Chair for 2025.
Alongside his academic and leadership roles, Ian serves as Head of Responsible Innovation for the CreaTech Frontiers project, helping to shape ethical and sustainable practices in emerging creative technologies. He has supervised numerous PhD students to completion, including award-winning researchers supported by the prestigious Microsoft PhD Fellowship, and continues to mentor early career academics and innovators. With a reputation for fostering collaboration and impact, his work bridges cutting-edge research with real-world applications across healthcare, culture, and the creative industries.