Join MMGC member, Tom Brock and others for two days of in-depth discussion panels, networking opportunities, enlightening presentations, and the chance to contribute to the future of esports.
Embark on a journey to explore and delve deep into the fascinating world of esports.
This symposium will bring together researchers, academics, industry professionals, and gaming enthusiasts to shed light on aspects of esports through numerous disciplinary lenses.
Our aim:
Academic inquiry: Clarify the underexplored academic domains of esports, ranging from psychology, sociology, business, sports science, computer science and law.
Industry dynamics: Unpack the complexities of the esports industry, its business models, marketing strategies, player dynamics, and the implications of technological advancements.
Global impact: Highlight the international influence of esports, the cultural exchanges it promotes, its role in digital economies, and the ethical concerns and regulations surrounding it and its social and environmental impact.
Community building: Understand the esports community, fan culture, diversity, and inclusivity, and discuss ways to ensure its healthy growth.
Educational implications: Investigate esports’ potential as an educational and training tool, and its impact on youth development and careers.
This event is supported by the British Digital Games Research Association.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Whether you are a scholar, an industry professional or a casual gaming enthusiast, there’s something for everyone at this unique esports symposium.
A small travel bursary is available for esports researchers in the UK who need financial support to attend — contact Dr Tom Brock.
2023 PROGRAMME
Benzie Building, Room BZ303
TUESDAY 29 AUGUST
9:30am-10:00am Registration and welcome
10:00am-11:00am Keynote – Seth Jenny (Navigating Esports Research and Steering the Handbook of Esports Global Project)
11:00am-11:30am Break
11:30am-1:00pm Session 1 – Josh Jarrett (Esports Fandom), Usva Friman, Maria Ruotsalainen, and Matilda Ståhl (Diversity and Inclusion in Esports), Julian Frommel and Regan Mandryk (Toxicity in Esports)
1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch
2:00pm-3:30pm Session 2 – Raine Koskimaa (Esports Culture in Europe), Yaewon Jin (Esports Culture in Asia), David Micallef (Esports Culture in Oceania)
3:30pm-4:00pm Break
4:00pm-5:00pm Keynote – Julia Hiltscher (Esports and Environmental Sustainability)
WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST
9:00am-9:30am Registration
9:30am-11:00am Session 3 – Joanna Donohue and Peter Varga (Experimental/Intervention Esports Research Methodology), Hee Jung Hong (Esports Players), Laura Swettenham, Oliver Leis and Callum Abbott (Applied Esports Psychology)
11:00am-11:30am Break
11:30am-1:00pm Session 4 – Pia Büßecker, Gian Luca Vitale, Matthias Ruhland, Tobias Scholz and Friederike Lenke (Human Resource Management in Esports), Brian McCauley and Bradley Baker (Esports Branding and Marketing), Leandro Becka, Marcos Antón, José Agustín Carrillo Vera and Federico Iván Ruera (Esports Hospitality and Tourism)
1:00pm-2:00pm Lunch
2:00pm-3:30pm Session 5 – Seth Jenny, Joey Gawrysiak, James O’Hagan and Nico Besombes (Esports Education), Danielle Rourke and Raymond Pastore (Esports Equipment and Infrastructure), Nyle Sky Kauweloa (Esports Venue Design and Venue Management)
3:30pm-4:00pm Break
4:00pm-5:30pm Session 6 – Amanda Cote, Maxwell Foxman and Ying-Ying Law (Qualitative Esports Research Methodology), Tanja Välisalo, Tom Brock and Ying-Ying Law (Esports Spectorship), Tom Brock and Mark Johnson (Esports Gambling)