Race and game studies scholars discuss how board games can inspire conversations that confront racism and educate players about what needs to be done to address systems of white supremacy.
Three University of Waterloo groups - the Research, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Council, the Games Institute, and the Council for Responsible Innovation and Technology (CRIT) - have partnered to launch UW’s first ever Racial Equity Board Game Showcase, under the guidance of University of Waterloo’s Office of Research and with consultation from the Equity Office.
To inspire game submissions and begin this very important conversation, REDI Council, the Games Institute, and CRIT are hosting a panel event on October 21, 2020 with games and race studies researchers Drs. Kishonna Gray, Lai-Tze Fan, and Aynur Kadir.
The panel will raise awareness for the showcase and allow interested participants to learn about the possibilities, expectations, and issues surrounding the design of board games that promote racial equity. Submissions for the showcase will open this upcoming winter and will be evaluated based on criteria set by a group of game studies and anti-racism scholars.