Call for Speakers
Connected Futures, led by Professor Karen Cham, is sponsoring the Develop:Research academic track, an applied research showcase at influential games industry conference, Develop:Brighton. The conference will be held between 9-11 July 2019 at the Hilton Brighton Metropole in Brighton and will be an opportunity to demonstrate the impactful research and enterprise of our university community and our key collaborators.
Develop:Brighton is an industry-facing event which brings together people from the European gaming community, routinely attracting more than 2000 attendees from across the games industry. This expansive convention features a conference, workshops, networking events and an extremely well-attended exhibition hall. As such, this is an excellent opportunity to showcase industry-facing academic research, identify potential collaborators and gain insight into the breadth of technical and creative innovation shaping the sector.
This year, Develop: Research Chair, Helen Kennedy, is working closely with Professor Gregor White from Abertay University and esteemed colleagues from across the UK to address the gap in a dedicated, sector-facing, game conference where academics at UK universities can engage with industry to generate economic and cultural impact.
We will curate critical research presentations, workshops and demonstrations that address the following "Games for Good" thematics:
1. Games for Good - Sustaining the future of the games industry
What are the technological, aesthetic and cultural developments to be aware of in order to ensure the continued success of games in the immersive experience economy? What new partnerships are made possible, necessary, even vital to ensure the continuation of this creative sphere? What fields of artistry and innovation do contemporary developers draw upon in order to invigorate the industry?
2. Games for Good - How can academic research and engagement enable games, games culture and the games industry to 'clean up' ...
the toxic image it has as a space of employment, an immature art form and as an inclusive leisure activity? To what extent might researchers positively intervene in controversies surrounding game titles, cultures and practices? In what ways can criticism contribute to the creation of ethical games and ethical gaming?
3. Games for Good – An opportunity to showcase the leading edge of academic research...
deploying the immersive and interactive potentials of games to promote innovation in relation to health, social engagement, political awareness or educational benefits. Selected presentations will be considered for review and potential publication. Conventional papers, panels, workshops and demonstrations are all welcome.
Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words, a bio and keywords outlining your proposed session to: FuturesAdmin@brighton.ac.uk by the deadline of 7 March 2019.
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Develop is a very important place – it’s one of the few developer focussed conferences we have in Europe and that makes it very valuable.
Rami Ismail
Vlambeer
If you really want to have a good interface with the British game developer community then this is the place to come.
Kate Edwards
Geogrify
I’ve been to every single Develop in the last 12 years. One thing you get here is networking - you will meet the most amazing individuals in the video games industry.
Kish Hirani
Terra Virtua
Building games is hard and it’s taxing physically, mentally and emotionally. So being around a community that understands that is great – there’s a comraderie here.
Haden Blackman
Hangar 13
We are so lucky to have Develop here in the UK. It’s a unique event where you can come and discover new things with people who care passionately about video games. It’s a sea full of new ideas.
Jonathan Smith
TT Games
A lot of the opportunities that come from being here are speaking to other developers who are doing exactly the same thing as you. And there are some good parties – it’s very much a pleasurable work experience!
Gemma Foster
Dlala Studios
There really is a huge mix of people at Develop - loads of peers that you can learn from and the perfect blend of every element of game development as well.
Alex Moyet
Curve Digital
By coming to Develop what you get is the opportunity to network like you can’t in any other situation. Everyone knows everyone and it’s such a wonderful community feel.
Jessica Saunders
Salix Games
I absolutely love coming to Develop, it’s a brilliant, brilliant conference – you just know you’re guaranteed to meet everyone.
Jo Twist, OBE
Ukie
Develop is an excellent way of catching up with people – there’s a really nice community feel here.
Mike Bithell
Mike Bithell Games
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