Introduction
Although definition of sustainability is a highly contested, the prevailing view of sustainable development emphasises the need to balance economic, environmental and social systems to give future to the next generations. Grand challenges of sustainable development are complex and interconnected, and this is captured in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs cover diverse range of problems to be addressed and many of them are grounded in more than one pillar of sustainability.
These epic challenges require epic solutions, new solutions to these problems, such as the use of gamification and serious games. With this symposium Heriot-Watt aim to build a community of researchers and practitioners who are passionate about sustainable development and believe in the power of games. This symposium is dedicated to looking at the existing successful examples of using gamification and serious games to address major challenges our society is facing and developing further agenda.
Symposium goals
- Presentation and discussion of the cases that use gamification or serious games to address different aspects of sustainable development
- Building research collaborations in the field of gamification and sustainable development
- Increase of visibility of gamification in the field of sustainable development and developing further agenda for research and practice
Call for abstracts
If you would like to present at the symposium, you are invited to submit 500 words abstract summarising your research project. The abstract can be submitted to giecs@hw.ac.uk. Heriot-Wat are specifically looking for gamified, gameful or playful contributions in the following areas:
- Climate action
- Sustainable behaviour
- Sustainability wellbeing
- Multidimensional poverty and poverty alleviation
- International development
- Energy transition
- Green and sustainable transport
- Zero-carbon housing
- Circular economy
- Aging population
- Diversity and inclusion
All the other participants are invited to indicate in the registration form which topics they are particularly interested in for the collaboration development workshop in break-out rooms. This event is open to anyone interested in the topic and will be of particular interest to academics and practitioners working in industry and third sector.
Prior to the symposium, authors of accepted abstracts will be asked to pre-record their presentations in a video of up to 10 minutes. The videos will then be uploaded to a Symposium Youtube channel. At the symposium, the presenters will have approximately 15 minutes to video-play the presentation and have a subsequent discussion.
Heriot-Wat will provide attendees with a certificate of participation at the end of the symposium.
Key Dates
30 September 2021: Abstract submission deadline
31 October 2021: Notification of acceptance
30 November 2021: Registration deadline
20 November 2021: Video presentation submission deadline
08 December 2021: Registration deadline
15 December 2021: International Symposium
Programme
09.00 – 09.15 Introduction and Welcome
09.15 – 10.15 Keynote speaker 1: Dr Harald Warmelink
10.15 – 10.30 Coffee break
10.30 – 12.00 Presentations
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch Break
13.00 – 14.00 Keynote speaker 2: Dr Philipp Busch
14.00 – 14.15 Coffee break
14.15 – 15.45 Collaboration development workshop (in break-out rooms)
15.45 – 16.00 Symposium wrap-up