Chris Martens

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

I am an assistant professor in the Computer Science (CSC) Department at NC State, where I direct the Principles of Expressive Machines (POEM) Lab. My interests span programming languages, and formal methods, and (symbolic) artificial intelligence.

Previously, I was a postdoc with the Expressive Intelligence Studio at UC Santa Cruz, and I did my Ph.D. in the Principles of Programming Group at CMU.

Research

See my publications.

I am broadly interested in applying formal methods to computational creativity, such as developing declarative programming languages for game design that widen the space of what's possible to prototype quickly and correctly. I also aim to make the act of creating formal models more accessible and relevant to experts in creative design, fiction writing, urban planning, policy creation, technical writing, and other domains, so that in turn, those experts may communicate their ideas and more effectively. I view language and interface design through the dual lenses of mathematics and human cognition.

For more information on current projects and opportunities for students, see the POEM Lab webpage.

Please read this before you email me.

Teaching

Spring 2017: CSC-281 Foundations of Game Design

Fall 2016: CSC-791 Generative Methods (link accessible to NCSU)

Colleagues

If my research interests appeal to you, you may also be interested in the following professors at NC State: Arnav Jhala, David Roberts, Tiffany Barnes, and James Lester.

Outside of NC State, you may also be interested in the research of Anne-Gwenn Bosser, who led the charge on applying linear logic to interactive storytelling.

Miscellaneous

My Mathematics Genealogy Project entry

My spouse Rob Simmons teaches classes on foundational Computer Science that you can take online or in Raleigh.