The Computational Media (CM) Department engages in boundary-pushing research and education that integrates technical, interpretive, and design work to create human-centered media that address complex problems for societal impact.
These are the core values we hold, which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves as scholars, researchers, and members of communities:
- Impactful: We create media, experiences and ways of understanding that have an impact in the world we live in.
- Socially responsible: We actively perform research and education that benefit society at large and advance social goals.
- Open: We embrace diverse ideas, disciplines, approaches, concepts, and methods in our work and community.
- Boundary-pushing: We are forward facing while being reflective of the past.
- Collegial: We engage in partnership across our communities in a respectful manner.
- Address “messy” problems: We are unafraid of handling real-world problems that are naturally messy.
#5
best game/simulation development program in the nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
9th
undergrad game design program (U.S. News and World Report, 2022)
#10
best school for game & interactive design bachelor's degree (College Factual, 2024)
#19
in the top 25 public augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) schools in the U.S. (Animation Career Review, 2022)
Explore potential Computational Media career paths
- UI/UX Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Game Designer
- Multimedia Developer
- AR/VR Specialist
- Product Manager
- Front End Developer
Leveling up wildfire preparedness
Researchers are using interactive game design to help people prepare for wildfire scenarios and build community resilience.
CM research news
Ahead of new game release, Animal Crossing: New Horizons book reflects on comfort, community, and capitalism
Professor of Computational Media Noah Wardrip-Fruin speaks on themes explored in his new book
Serious Games and Artificial Intelligence with UCSC’s Presidential Chair
Magy Seif El-Nasr is using games and AI to transform education. As UC Santa Cruz’s Presidential Chair, she’s leading efforts to teach thoughtful, human-centered use of technology.
Symposium shows creativity, conviction are key to communicating climate solutions
From card games to virtual reality, innovative climate researchers are finding new ways to engage the public
Many research projects take place at our Silicon Valley Campus
Ph.D. opportunities
Computational Media faculty are recruiting Ph.D. students for the 2026-27 academic year
Upcoming events
CM Seminar – “How Technology-Mediated Food Interactions Support Family Connection and Routine Reconstruction”
Be Inspired: Explore Graduate Studies in STEM
Human Computer Interaction MS Virtual Info Session
Outstanding alumni
Aviv Elor (Crown ’19, robotics engineering; Ph.D. ’21, computational media) is the co-founder, president, and chief research officer of Immergo Labs, which is revolutionizing physical rehabilitation through immersive virtual reality (VR) telehealth platforms.
Learn More
Linda Hirsch, a computational media postdoctoral fellow, developed an interactive game to increase flood preparedness in the local Santa Cruz community—demoing the game at the UC Santa Cruz Seymour Marine Discovery Center.
Sri Kurniawan, associate professor of computational media, is leading her students to research and develop games and applications to help people with special needs.
Professor of Computational Media Katherine Isbister and her students use games to explore how technology can influence humans’ emotional experiences.