Group DiscussionsFree

More Than Playthings

In what ways are games more than entertainment?

Video games are a global, multi-billion pound industry but often face a media spotlight that shines brightly on claims that games are harmful and damaging. Games have been making positive contributions to people’s lives for generations, and continue to grow as one the most important industries for twenty-first century living.

In this talk, Abertay University and RSE Young Academy Academics will demonstrate how universities and the public sector are applying games to a wide variety of academic challenges and societal problems. The talk will focus on where games can help researchers with investigations, engage with different audiences, contribute towards solutions – and still entertain!

Schedule

9th August – Gaming in the real world

Dr Andrew Reid, Abertay University, introduces you to the world of Applied Games – designed with a primary purpose other than entertainment – and its many applications in education, scientific exploration, health care, engineering, and politics. With Kevin Jones, they will share their experience in the use of games for training at the University of St Andrews and the School of Chemistry’s Game Jams.

16th August – Using games for public engagement

Games are wonderful tools to start conversations – presenting big ideas in intuitive ways to encourage players to problem solve and understand the world around them. Dr Jonathan Wilkin, Abertay University, and Erik Gauger, Heriot Watt University, explore how they bring their research in food science and quantum physics (respectively) to a wider audience.

23rd August – Learning through play

Join Dr Lynn Love, Abertay University, as she discusses the importance of play, its role in bringing people and the impact on the individual, group, community and culture – is play a good indicator of the health of society? She will be joined by Dr Iain Donald, Abertay University, whose recent research into applied historical games explored commemoration and memorialization in games.

Tea & Talk Series

The Tea & Talk series invites everyone to enjoy a cup of tea while engaging with experts in a friendly, relaxed discussion. There won’t be any powerpoints, notes or formality here – just the chance to ask questions and to listen to some of Scotland’s leading authorities on a variety of subjects.

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Additional Info

All Tea & Talk events will take place using Zoom Meetings so attendees can take part using audio and video. Due to this attendees must be 17+ years old. To encourage discussion and allow for everyone an opportunity to ask questions we have limited the number of spaces available.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUDIO OF THESE SESSIONS WILL BE RECORDED FOR MARKETING PURPOSES – ONLY THE SPEAKER’S AUDIO WILL BE USED. RECORDINGS WILL BE DELETED ONCE THE NECESSARY AUDIO HAS BEEN EDITED.