The proposed Regina Integrative Cognitive Experimentation (RICE) Lab, an interdisciplinary project between the Departments of Psychology and Computer Science at the University of Regina, has been awarded $123,445 in development funds by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

The RICE Lab will be used to carry out research in experimental psychology and human-computer interaction and to develop patentable software. Research will address challenges in eyewitness testimony and the development of composite sketches of crime suspects.

“Computer scientists and psychologists have worked separately on issues of composite generation and eyewitness testimony. Our approach, however, is to combine expertise in these areas with the goals of better understanding eyewitness testimony and developing software that works within the limits of witness’ vocabulary and attention to detail,” says Chris Oriet, professor of psychology and project leader for the RICE Lab. Other researchers involved in the project are Katherine Arbuthnott, professor of psychology (Campion College) and Daryl Hepting, professor of computer science.

The lab will also be used to conduct research regarding the effectiveness of training materials for software and the development of usable privacy and security software. The total cost of the RICE Lab is $314,000 and it will be located in the new Laboratory Building addition under construction at the U of R.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI’s mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians.