About the University of Waterloo Interdisciplinary Network for Esports

The University of Waterloo has the potential to be global leaders in esports scholarship, teaching/learning, and student experiences. The collaborative efforts of esports researchers, staff, and industry professionals can capitalize on Waterloo’ strengths in innovation, work-integrated learning, applied research, and strong relationship to our surrounding community. Consistent with our Waterloo @100 strategic vision, esports as a global phenomenon, presents UW with a unique opportunity to build on our unconventional foundation to shape knowledge and understandings of these technologies and experiences in ways that serve society, rather than letting technology shape us. Waterloo @100 imagined technological futures where Waterloo leads transformations to ensure a safe and humancentered digital future. Our network will respond to Waterloo @100’s challenge to advance technology that is responsible, sustainable, and socially viable. Esports is a growing global phenomenon that is here to stay. Waterloo can help guide the use of this technology and critically examine how it can be used for good; as well as raise awareness about the potential harms of esports.  

Esports is as a form of sports where the primary aspects of the sport are facilitated by electronic systems; the input of players and teams as well as the output of the esports system are mediated by human-computer interfaces. Esports represent a burgeoning interdisciplinary phenomenon which intersects with society, humanities, and culture; equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDI-R); health/wellness; economics; business/event management; athletic/recreation; and technology. Our proposed network will facilitate opportunities to capitalize on our collective interests and expertise in esports by connecting and mobilizing faculty, staff, students, and industry professionals across these disciplines. 

The mission of our network is to strengthen esports-related scholarship, teaching/learning, and student experiences at the University of Waterloo. We will advance this mission through socially just and equity-oriented approaches, which seek to make esports more accessible and inclusive spaces for all. Our mission considers esports from a holistic wellbeing perspective, with considerations for potential physical, mental, social, and emotional benefits and harms of esports to participants and communities.