Esports Research Network Conference 2024: What to expect 

The ERNC2024 is set to take place in autumn this year at Staffordshire University, London, with the theme ‘Where Worlds Collide’. The conference is an interdisciplinary gathering of scholars, researchers, industry professionals and enthusiasts. The conference explores the everchanging landscape of esports and the intersections between gaming cultures, competitive play, game design and spectatorship within the esports ecosystem. The conference accommodates mixed attendance, with opportunities to attend either online or in person. 

The conference has been co-organised with Staffordshire University and Manchester Game Centre’s esports lead, Tom Brock, with funding from Man Mat’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the MGC.

Keynote speakers 

For the opening of the conference, we welcome keynote Brett Abarbanel, presenting “The Bettor Part of Valor(ant)”. In this keynote, Dr. Abarbanel will discuss where we have been along the journey of gambling and gaming convergence internationally, calling on perspectives from esports, sports, and gambling.  

On the second day of the conference we welcome our next keynote, Emma Witkowski, discussing “Collisions, Context, and Coming Together: Exploring the Intersection of Traditional Sports and Esports”. In this talk, Dr. Witkowski will discuss local to global transformations in esports under sports worlds.  

For the closing of the conference, keynote Anna Baumann will present “Beyond the Agora: Esports and the Fractured Dream of a Unified Society - A Modern Phaedrus Revisited”. This keynote will critically assess developments within esports and explore whether esports is still on the path to fulfilling its original, unifying vision or if the dream has become fractured. 

Industry Talks 

Throughout the conference, we will be joined by industry professionals who will be sharing their expertise in the industry. Some talks to look forward to are “Personal Histories in Esports” presented by Julia Hiltscher, Michael O'Dell, Anna Baumann, Jeesun Park, Graham Ashton, (tbd Patrik Sattermon) and “Esports Legislation: Balancing Innovation with Regulation” by Cameron Vanloo, Graham Ashton, Luke Seagrove, John Jackson.  

These sessions provide the opportunity to dive deep into various topics within esports, with opportunities for Q&A and interaction with experts.  

Panels and abstract presentations are a highlight of the conference, covering the vast esports ecosystem and including topic such as: economics, sustainability, health, expertise, gambling, along with many more. These talks provide scholarly and professional perspectives on esports, offering many valuable insights.  

With a schedule full of engaging content, networking opportunities and valuable insights into esports, the ERNC24 is an event you won’t want to miss!  

Don’t forget to stay up to date with the conference by following us on LinkedIn.