In October 2020, Yvonne Backholm-Nyberg and I arranged the webinar Games and Learning. Based on the feedback we received, we realised that there was a need for something more than an event that spanned one afternoon and the idea for a research based network was born! The project is financed by Högskolestiftelsen i Österbotten and further information is available below and on our webpage.

While digital games have gained some research interest, there remains untapped potential in terms of learning and education. We see a need to explore research on games to support teacher education in terms of learning in and for the future. The constant development of digital games results in a rapidly shifting environment where all actors are needed to facilitate a research-based understanding of games and learning. 

Through this project, we endeavour to create possibilities for networking and collaboration between relevant actors on a regional, national and international level. 

We aim to strengthen the field of games and learning at the Faculty of Education and Welfare studies at ÅAU through collaboration. We identify research gaps and the needs from those working in the field, strengthen networks as well as design the pilot phase of this research project.  

We also aim to create ecosystems with relevant actors – researchers, teachers/schools/organisations and game developers. Through this project we combine the competence on games and learning as well as other relevant areas at the Faculty of Education and Welfare studies; Experience Lab, Matilda Ståhl’s research as well as other game-oriented research endeavours (e.g., Tandem på spel and Redit).  

The project has two phases: 1) the networking and piloting phase and 2) the implementation phase. Likewise, the project has two main areas – research as well as networking and collaboration, which in turn creates a supportive and engaging environment for developing new ideas.  Through creating a network based is Ostrobothnia with national and international collaborations and networks, we strengthen the research environment and the teacher education at the faculty. Further, as part of the project, we have together with Dr Mariana Rocha (Dublin Technological University) established “Games and Learning – an International Junior Researchers Network”.

Our short-term goal is to create a platform for research on games and learning. In terms of long-term goals, we aim to support the creation of international research projects where the results are employed in teacher education and the educational field at large.  

Research coordinator: Matilda Ståhl, matilda.stahl@abo.fi 

Project manager: Yvonne Backholm-Nyberg, yvonne.backholm@abo.fi  

Project team: Matilda Ståhl, Yvonne Backholm-Nyberg och Joachim Majors