Game Research Network

Game Research Network is an interdisciplinary network uniting researchers and students who are interested in game studies.

Multidisciplinary research on games and play

Game Research Network aims to support game-related research endeavors at University of Jyväskylä and communication between researchers from different disciplines. The network organizes seminars and informs its members of new research opportunities, relevant events and news in the field.

The network has created a shared space for discussion for years. The network has slowly grown and today it includes researchers from nearly all faculties and multiple departments.

Game Research Network - what and why

The Game Research Network at the University of Jyväskylä is a network of researchers interested in games, play and related phenomena.

Game Research Network supports loca researchers in networking, doing research, and sharing their expertise. The network has a mailing list and Facebook group for information about events, project opportunities and news related to the field.

Network meetings occur once or twice per year and include presentations on existing research projects and planning network activities. The network functions on voluntary basis.

Facebook group

Do you wish to join the mailing list? Contact

Game Research Network Coordinator: Maria Ruotsalainen, maria.a.t.ruotsalainen@jyu.fi

Game Research at the University of Jyväskylä

Games and play are a topic of research in multiple fields

Research on games and play extends from boardgames to videogames and related phenomena. Specific strengths of games-related research at the University of Jyväskylä are serious games, games and learning, and game culture studies.

Game research at the University of Jyväskylä covers games, game design, players, game cultures, and application of games in different domains. Research topics have included, for example, the creation of meaning in and with games, narratives and storytelling in games, esports, and game addiction.

The University of Jyväskylä is knon for its traditions in education and learning. This tradition is also strongly visible in game research. A significant portion of research at the University of Jyväskylä is focused on learning games, game-based learning and the design of games for learning. Games and learning have been a theme in research in different disciplines and research centres from education to business studies and information technology. Research at the University of Jyväskylä has for example focused on, how can games be a part of language learning, what factors effect motivation for children in using learning games, and how can learning games be used to tackle learning disabilities. This research has also practical applications in the form of learning games.

Game research projects at the University of Jyväskylä

Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies

ORE: Ontological Reconstruction of Gaming Disorder

Game Music Everyday Memories (GAMEM)

Game research and education

Are you interested in game research? Enrol on multidisciplinary course on game studies or write your thesis on a topic related to games!

Courses related to games are taught every year., and there are usually also one or two courses in English. Most of these courses are multidisciplinary and open to students from different faculties. The Department of Music, Arts and Culture Studies offers a module (25 credits) on game studies and game design. Additionally, computer science students can focus their degree on game development. If you want to write your thesis on a game-related topic, contact your education coordinator or the representative of your degree programme. You may also want to check the list of experts on this page and see whether you can find a representative of your own discipline!

List of experts

Game Research Network also offers information on experts in different areas of games and play.

This list contains areas of expertise of members of the Game Research Network and experts' names. If you cannot find an expert for your particular need, please, contact the network coordinator Maria Ruotsalainen (maria.a.t.ruotsalainen@jyu.fi).