Symposium to explore how games and gametech increase belonging and learning

"Games Make A Difference: The Purdue Academic Gaming and Esport Symposium" on April 8 will bring together mental health and inclusion experts, scholars and practitioners who are promoting positive social change through games and gametech. The inaugural symposium will discuss how games can make a difference in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; the classroom and lecture hall; and mental health.

Stephen Reid, senior customer engagement program manager at Microsoft, will deliver the opening keynote address. Susanna Pollack, president of the nonprofit organization Games for Change, will deliver the closing keynote. The moderator for the event is James O’Hagan, College of Education alumnus, director of digital and virtual learning for Racine Unified School District and founder of The Academy of Esports. A complete list of speakers is available online.

The symposium, which has in-person and virtual options for attendance, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Córdova Recreational Sports Center. The cost to attend in-person is $59. Virtual attendance is free. Purdue students can attend in-person free with pre-registration. Attendees must register via this link. Individuals attending virtually will receive an email with information on how to access the event.

In addition, there will be a free esports competition from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 9 in the Córdova Recreational Sports Center's Feature Gym. Featured games will be Splatoon 2 and Dota 2.

Support for the event is provided by Purdue’s Office of Engagement, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Shawn Jung, assistant professor in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and students enrolled in HTM362/462.

Writer: Jennifer Jeffries, marketing and communication manager, College of Liberal Arts, 765-494-7884, jcjeffries@purdue.edu

Source: Chris Bishop, associate director of business development, Purdue Conferences 765-496-6205, bishopcj@purdue.edu