Dr Rob Saunders

Title: Dr
Name: Rob Saunders
Position: Lecturer in Design Computing; Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching); Coordinator, IDEA Program
Location: Room 274, Wilkinson Building (G04), 148 City Road, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006
Phone: +61 2 9036 6379
Email:

My primary research interest is the development of computational models of creativity. The development of computational models of creative processes provides opportunities for developing a better understanding human creativity, producing tools that support human creativity and possibly creating autonomous systems capable of creative activity. My approach to developing computational models of creativity is to develop curious agents and to use these curious agents to simulate creative systems.

Curious Agents
Curious agents are computational models of self-motivated learning based on an interest in novelty. Curiosity is a fundamental driving force behind much creative activity, although it may only provide a weak motivation in any particular project it is one of the few constants in all creative endeavours. Computationally modelling curiosity provides a platform for developing a wide range of creative systems.

Creative Systems
Creative systems are computational models of individual and social creativity. Computational models of individual creativity involve an agent and some environment that the agent can change; design is fundamentally about how an agent changes their environment. Computational models of social creativity provide useful frameworks for investigating the nature of creativity without the additional complexities inherent in human societies.

For more information, please visit Rob's personal website.