Welcome to the Games Institute
The Games Institute (GI) is an interdisciplinary research centre at the University of Waterloo, advancing the study of interactive and immersive technologies and experiences
News Items
Games Institute members are busy people! We bring you the latest news to keep you informed on the latest research and activities of all our members.
Research Spotlights
Every Research Spotlight offers an insider’s look into the interdisciplinary research done at the Games Institute.
News
- Feb. 1, 2023GI Faculty Members Lili Liu and Ben Thompson Awarded Graham Seed Fund
Congratulations to Drs. Lili Liu (Dean of the Faculty of Health) and Ben Thompson (Optometry and Vision Science) who were awarded the Graham Seed Fund, launched by the Health Initiatives team at UW!
- Jan. 19, 2023GI Faculty Member Adan Jerreat-Poole Gives Virtual Talk to McMaster’s Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship
On January 19th, 2023, Dr. Adan Jerreat-Poole (Communication Arts) was a speaker at the 6-part “DS Bytes: A Lunchtime Speaker Series” where they discussed Glitch Feminism, disability, and technology.
- Jan. 16, 2023The Games Institute secures $50,000 of funding for Esports Scholarship Program
The University of Waterloo Games Institute has secured $25,000 of funding per year over two years from the Ontario government to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in the gaming and esports industries. The successful application was an interdisciplinary collaborative effort between the Games Institute (GI) and the faculties of Arts, Health, Math, Engineering, and Science.
Events
- Feb. 2 to 5, 2023WINTER 2023 Global Game Jam
On February 2nd- February 5th, 2023, join us for the GLOBAL GAME JAM! Build a game with your team, join a thriving community & have lots of fun over the weekend!
WINTER 2023 Global Jam
Start: Time TBD, Thursday, February 2nd
End: Time TBD, Sunday, February 5th
- Feb. 9, 2023Workshop on Structures of Care and Accessibility with SoftChaos
- Feb. 23, 2023The Impact of Genuine and Mindful Inclusion of Marginalized Communities in Creative Works.
Join Elaine Gómez as she will describe the importance of representation in games and digital media. She will speak to how gaming has the power to destroy the perpetuation of stereotypical perceptions and will explain how games can be designed to create social impact in meaningful ways.
Blog
- Dec. 5, 2022PhD Student Sid Heeg speaks at GI about refuting misinformation around farming on social media
On October 19th, 2022, PhD student Sid Heeg (School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development) presented “Reap What You Sow: Refuting Misinformation about Farming and Farm Practices.” The talk was an overview of Heeg’s dissertation research focusing on the misinformation that circulates on social media about farmers and farming, including the effects and harms this misinformation has on the farmers themselves.
- Dec. 5, 2022GI Members take part in Dibaajimowin exhibition at Waterloo Region Museum
On September 27th, the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum unveiled a new exhibit to the public—”Dibaajimowin | Stories From this Land.” The exhibit was assembled by Anishinaabe curator Emma Rain Smith, an MA student from Waterloo. The exhibit highlights Indigenous contributions to the region’s history with an emphasis on Urban Indigeneity. GI members Dr. Aynur Kadir (University of British Columbia) and PhD student Sid Heeg (Environment, Enterprise, and Development) took part in the design, curation, and research associated with the exhibition. The entire project is the result of the collaborative work between researchers, activists, and community members from the region, including the University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University.
- Oct. 25, 2022"A Discussion on Games and Health” Highlights the Effectiveness of Interactive Technologies
On July 5th, Drs. Lili Liu (School of Public Health Sciences), John Muñoz (Systems Design Engineering), and Michael Barnett-Cowan (Kinesiology and Health Sciences) were brought together to share their knowledge and expertise on how games and interactive technologies are being used in the healthcare industry. The panel was hosted and moderated by the Games Institute’s Research Communications Officer Dr. Emma Vossen.
Meet our people
Jim Wallace
Jim Wallace is an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health Sciences at University of Waterloo. He leads the HCI and Health lab, with research addressing how technologies like large, interactive displays, smart devices, and machine learning can prevent disease, prolong life, and promote human health.
