“Digital Public Interest Collective Podcast” features interview with Emma Vossen and Kishonna Gray

Thursday, May 5, 2022

GI members Dr. Emma Vossen and Dr. Kishonna Gray were interviewed about harassment and abuse in games and games culture for the “Digital Public Interest Collective Podcast.” 

The Digital Public Interest Collective was founded by Jaigris Hodson, Chandell Gosse, Shandell Houlden, Victoria O’Meara, and Andrea Galizia. They are a collective of interdisciplinary researchers and scholars examining misinformation and conspiracy theories, health and science communication, technology-facilitated violence and abuse, and the potential and limits of online influencer practice.

Vossen and Gray clarified that while these issues are present in games culture, they are by no means exclusive to games culture. When asked why games culture tends to be so hostile, Vossen explained, “It’s not so much that things are worse in gaming, it’s just that gaming is where we see the true face of our culture, as horrifying as it is.”

While the podcast's subject matter is heavy, Vossen and Gray made sure to discuss their shared optimistic outlook with listeners. Gray explained that “the heaviness sometimes takes priority” because it’s essential that people can “take part in leisure activities without harm”, but it’s not all bad. She elaborated that as female gamers, “we found each other” and “we have found safety” and “community” with each other. “We want to protect that”, Gray finished.  

Vossen agreed, saying, “we’ve talked about the reasons why [games culture] sucks, but there are also positives” because “we have this opportunity now to find progressive gamers.” Vossen says, “games were forced to become a space of activism, " but you can now “find people whose values align with your own in gaming.” The podcast hosts crowned Gray and Vossen “the most quotable duo” and thanked them for their perspectives.

The larger podcast series features academic experts on online abuse and harassment from many disciplines. The podcast series features episodes about the impact of online abuse on academic work, the role of legal remedies, the ways online abuse impacts educational institutions, anti-trans hate groups, and hostility towards journalists.