Tim Trent

Tim began working as the GVU Center’s research technologist in 2018. In conjunction with IPaT, he developed, designed, and launched the Craft Lab in 2022 and is serving as the director of the Prototyping, Craft, and Usability labs. Tim provides strategic oversight of the tools and technologies present in these “innovation labs” and seeks opportunities to grow and shape the spaces to match the ever-changing research landscape. These spaces are an essential component of the research within IPaT and the broader Georgia Tech community. Tim views the spaces not only as a set of technologies like 3D printers, laser cutters, embroidery machines, etc., but also as a catalyst to bring together community members and explore new frontiers of research.

Tim has also spent much of his time at Georgia Tech working in research computing, including his roles as a Research Technologist in College of Computing’s Technology Services Organization (TSO) and as a part of IPaT’s Research Operations team. He served as interim Associate Director for Research in TSO in 2023. His focus in these areas is in DevOps and business automation with aims to match IT capabilities and capacities with the needs of end-users.

Tim holds a master of science in human-computer interaction and a graduate certificate in Management of Technology from Georgia Tech. His thesis project focused on the introductory experience to academic makerspaces and digital tools that support new users. In this work, Tim prototyped a new digital training aid for makerspaces to allow more seamless introduction for new users while satisfying training requirements.