The Games Institute acknowledges that we are living and working on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the Games Institute do?
The Games Institute (GI) conducts research across the broad field of interactive immersive technologies and experiences, including:
- Game and Interactive Media Studies
- Game and Interaction Science
- Interactive Media for Understanding
This field includes games, but it has expanded to incorporate virtual and augmented reality, large interactive and collaborative displays, smartphones and tablets, and any other device where game-like interactions drive the user experience. The field is constantly looking to the future, to emerging technologies and their resultant applications and experiences, and the GI is dedicated to exploring, critiquing, and designing the forward trajectory of the field.
Q: What kind of projects does the GI support?
See a more comprehensive list of the GI's projects.
Q: How do you become a GI member?
Curious to know if you qualify? Check out our Prospective Members page!
The GI accepts graduate students from all faculties on campus, as long as their supervisor is an affiliated faculty member of the GI or their research is related to games and interactive media studies, game and interactive science, and/or interactive media for understanding. The GI also accepts Research Assistance who work under an affiliated GI faculty member. If you do have a supervisor that is affiliated with the GI, please email the Games Institute (games.institute@uwaterloo.ca) to start your onboarding process.
Q: How can I become a Research Assistant at the GI?
The GI does not offer direct RA positions. However, we do post updates whenever a faculty member is hiring or looking for an RA on our News Bites page.
Q: I am an undergraduate student. Can I still be involved?
GI membership is restricted to UW graduate students and faculty members. Undergraduates can be involved in the following ways:
Q: How do I stay in touch with the GI?
Follow the GI on social media! Check out our News Bites and Research Spotlights.
If your question is not listed here, please email games.institute@uwaterloo.ca.