Charles R. Hardnett is a software engineer, professor of Computer Science and the author of Virtual World Design and Creation for Teens. This ground-breaking book is a step-by-step guide that teaches kids how to create 3D virtual worlds such as video games, computer-animated short films and commercials.  His areas of specialty include High-Performance Languages and Compilers, Operating Systems, Embedded Systems, Computer Networks, and Computer Graphics/Gaming. He has published research articles in the areas of High-Performance Languages and Compilers, Embedded Systems, Computer Networks, and Computer Science Education. He has taught a college-level Computer Graphics course themed in game design that targets college junior and senior Computer Science majors. This course teaches students the principles of computer graphics as they learn to build computer games for PCs and Xbox 360 consoles.

Prof. Hardnett is the director of SMART Academy and the CARE (Computer And Robotics Education) Summer Camp at Spelman College. The camp is a vehicle to introduce students to Computer Science, digital gaming and digital animation careers.