Dom Shaw is the first Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator for the UK video games and interactive entertainment trade association, Ukie, who manages their flagship diversity initiative – the #RaiseTheGame pledge, alongside supporting efforts towards other activities and initiatives Ukie provides like the Video Games Ambassadors programme with Into Games. Dom is also an ambassador for the UK’s leading autism research charity, Autistica, who strive to give autistic people the opportunity to live long, happy, healthy lives. The charity has a keen interest in the games industry due to the correlation between video games, emerging opportunities and neurodiverse individuals.
As an autistic, dyslexic and LGBTQ+ identifying individual from a single parent home, Dom has never been a stranger to the importance of diversity, inclusion and understands the struggle individuals from underrepresented backgrounds can face when trying to get a job in any industry, let alone the games industry that can be extra fierce due to the ratio of people to jobs there is. Having worked diligently to get his foot into the games industry, starting his journey when he was 16 in 2010, Dom has been energetically committed to encouraging, empowering and amplifying marginalised voices and increasing representation at all levels within the industry to ensure no one is excluded and anyone can seek opportunities on a fair playing field; similar to how he has worked hard but also been blessed with academic and professional opportunities.
Dom has been recognised for his efforts towards the industry by…
Businesses are more successful when they’re equal, diverse and inclusive places to work. But how can you make EDI essential to your games business, whether you’re working as a small team or in a major company?
In this session, we’ll bring together people who’ve sought to put EDI at the heart of the way their businesses work to give practical advice on driving diversity onwards. We’ll share tips on recruiting more diversely, on fostering an inclusive culture and broadening the content of games to foster a welcoming environment of all. We’ll also discuss how to make change stick, including how to set targets, change processes and turn incremental improvements into long term transformation.
Takeaway:
Develop:Brighton’s a great conference. It’s got a spread of people from all parts of the games industry talking about such a wide range of topics.
David Amor
Mag Interactive
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
Develop is important – the networking is very important. And go to talks they’re inspiring and get your creative juices flowing, they can make you think and you’ll learn how other people do things.
Jason Kingsley
Rebellion
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
One of the things I like about Develop is it brings people together from across Europe and the whole world. There is a very high level of professionals here, so you have company leaders having drinks with juniors from their community.
Dr Mata Haggis-Burridge
NHTV
Develop is the must-attend event for the games industry in the UK. It’s where we all come together and learn from each other. It’s the best way into the industry and it’s the best place to learn from your colleagues.
Hannah Flynn
Failbetter Games
Develop is an excellent way of catching up with people – there’s a really nice community feel here.
Mike Bithell
Mike Bithell Games
There’s something creative about Brighton, so it’s the perfect place to have the conference.
Graham Devine
Magic Leap
It’s really nice to see some of the younger people in our studio come to Develop, interact with other people in the dev community and make new contacts. I think it’s really important to learn from other people.
Abbie Heppe
Media Molecule
People should come to Develop because it’s where the UK games industry meets.
Maria Sayans
ustwo
There are many ways you can be part of Develop:Brighton - including taking a booth in the Expo or choosing one of the many sponsorship opporunities during the event or at the Star Awards.
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