School of Informatics

The School of Informatics was created in 1998 through the merger of the Department of Artificial Intelligence, Centre for Cognitive Science, Department of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute, and Human Communication Research Centre. It originally formed part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, but since major university restructuring in 2002, has been part of the College of Science and Engineering.

The School was originally dispersed over six sites: 80 South Bridge, the Appleton Tower, Buccleuch Place, Forrest Hill, the James Clerk Maxwell Building, and the Darwin Building. The 80 South Bridge building, which housed around 25% of the School was destroyed in the Old Town fire of December 2002, also resulting in the loss of the unique Artificial Intelligence Library. Staff and students were relocated to the Appleton Tower. In June 2008, the Informatics Forum was opened, finally bringing all the School's departments together under one roof.