Falmouth University has been awarded its largest research grant to date which will be used to appoint a European research area chair to promote research excellence in digital games technology.

The €2.4 million EU grant will see an internationally renowned professor and a team of researchers with specialist skills in digital games technology recruited by the university.

Professor Anne Carlisle, vice- chancellor and chief executive, said: "This is a vital moment for Falmouth. The digital games market is experiencing exponential global growth and is an industry that Cornwall and Europe, could take the lead on.

"As a catalyst for regional development, high-level research in this area has the potential to make a significant contribution to the 'grand challenges' facing society. From health and wellbeing to carbon reduction, games technology and thinking has tremendously exciting economic and societal applications. I am confident that the award will enable us to develop our digital games research capacity, building on our strengths in the arts and games design."