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CoSTARCoSTAR

National Lab

World-leading facilities, technology and research to power the future of our Creative Industries.

The National Lab is the central hub of the CoSTAR Network. This is infrastructure that combines state-of-the-art facilities, technology research and an exciting series of industry and academic partnerships to fuel creative industries growth across the UK.

The National Lab collaborates, innovates and experiments across the UK’s screen and performance sectors, supporting UK creative companies to innovate and grow ethically, sustainably, and inclusively. Our flagship CoSTAR Stage at Pinewood Studios will open in January 2026, placing R&D at the heart of UK’s globally recognised home of storytelling.

We offer a unique collaboration between industry and academia. Founded on the world-class research and expertise of Royal Holloway, University of London, Abertay University, the University of Surrey and the National Film and Television School. The National Lab is powered by a growing set of partnerships with leading creative businesses including Pinewood, BT, and Disguise.   

The National Lab is led by the StoryFutures team at Royal Holloway, University of London.  The National Lab represents an unparalleled opportunity to nurture the UK’s creative technology sector and to invest in the experiences and stories of tomorrow. 

Where
Pinewood Studios, Iver Futures Studio, Egham
Led by
Royal Holloway, University of London
Partners
Pinewood
 Studios Abertay University University of Surrey National Film and Television School Disguise
 BT

CALLS ARE OPEN — APPLY FOR ACCESS PROGRAMMES

Our funding programmes are delivered through each of the CoSTAR Network labs. For more information go to Funding & Support

ABOUT THE COSTAR NATIONAL LAB

Location

The National Lab will open its flagship CoSTAR Stage at Pinewood Studios in January 2026, with additional access to a satellite facility, the Futures Studio, located on the Royal Holloway, University of London campus in Egham, Surrey. This lab offers virtual production and next generation audio capabilities.

Research Expertise

The National Lab will provide UK companies with access to the cutting-edge technologies and research expertise of today to power the innovation of tomorrow. It will enable IP owners, creative businesses and technology companies to become inherently cross platform, AI-enabled and ahead of the curve. 

The National Lab will drive the creation of four R&D technology infrastructure pillars for companies to access: support the capture and representation of digital humans, provide production tools to optimise virtual environments, explore experimental technologies for engagement in multi-sensory environments and future-cast through prototyping and scenario planning with worldbuilding scenarios set by different creative industries sub-sectors. 

Our infrastructure will be designed, developed and built in consultation with our industry partners ahead of our National Lab launch in January 2026.

A photograph of a screen showing someone standing

The Future of Research

The National Lab drives forward innovation in creative technologies through six interdisciplinary Futures research programmes. These Futures programmes provide deep and far-sighted research that is cross-cutting, infusing each of the pillars with a unique DNA.

A group of people in the Futures Studio during the launch event

Funding and Support

The National Lab provides opportunities for funding and support through its Access Programmes. 

Facilities

Futures Studio, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham 

Futures Studio opened in November 2024 at Royal Holloway, University of London’s Egham campus in partnership with Surrey County Council.  

The Studio currently houses the National Lab Research and Development teams with expertise across content creation, software design & engineering, UX, virtual production and next generation audio capabilities. It will continue to provide prototyping space when the National Lab opens in January 2026. 

The entrance to Pinewood Studios at night, with the illuminated Pinewood Studios sign above the gatehouse

The CoSTAR Stage, Pinewood Studios 

The National Lab will be located in the CoSTAR Stage at Pinewood Studios from January 2026. It will offer a 236m2 Sound Stage (6m high), production offices, a private 5G Network, a cloud-based Creative AI Compute facility, an incubation and partner business space and four R&D Labs spanning spatial audio, multi-sensory experiences, capture and prototyping. 

Read CoSTAR National Lab's AI Principles Policy

Meet our partners

Lead Partner - Royal Holloway
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Abertay University
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Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI
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National Film and Television School
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Pinewood
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Disguise
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BT
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Meet the team at National Lab

Photograph of Prof James Bennett
Professor James BennettDirector, CoSTAR National Lab
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Photograph of Sarah Smyth
Sarah SmythDirector of Operations
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Professor Ade WoolardDirector of Technologies
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Professor Will Saunders MBECreative Head
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Becky Gregory-Clarke Co-Head of Innovation
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Miles BernieCo-Head of Innovation
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Professor Adrian HiltonHead of Creative AI
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Professor Fiona Kilkelly Head of Enterprise & Commercialisation
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Professor Polly Dalton  Head of Audience Futures
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Professor Angela ChanHead of Inclusive Futures
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Professor Mark Lycett  Head of Business Futures
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Professor Ruth FalconerHead of CreaTech
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Chris GallaniHead of Programme Delivery
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Professor meriko borogoveFounding CTO
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Alex WillsDisguise Lead Partner
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