As educators, how can we support students in developing skills to facilitate and engage in constructive conversations around social change? Large-scale social simulations (“megagames”) provide space and context needed to train these skills. At this seminar, Ola Leifler from Linköping University will present their leading research on large-scale social simulations, and demonstrate some of the games they use in their teaching.
Following our seminar series on Teaching for Sustainability – Serious Games, we will now take a closer look at megagames – a type of serious games that take the shape of large-scale social simulations. A serious game is any intervention or simulation that integrates educational content, skills development, and learning outcomes into a game-like environment that promotes student engagement, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. By combining game mechanics with pedagogical principles, serious games allow students to explore complex real-world issues, experience decision-making scenarios, and apply theoretical concepts in an interactive and inclusive learning environment.
Join our seminar to explore how megagames are being used as a pedagogical approach to advance student understanding of complex sustainability issues and in particular fosters constructive dialogue on social change. Ola Leifler at Linköping University has long experience with serious games and leads a research project on megagames, focused on energy transitions, regional transformation, and sustainable consumption.
During the seminar, we will:
- Get an introduction to megagames as an educational activity
- Hear about the latest research on megagames
- Get a demonstration of megagames used at Linköping University
- Explore the possible use of megagames in our own teaching
About the Speaker: Ola Leifler
Associate Professor Ola Leifler is lecturer at the Department of Computer and Information Science at Linköping University. His research focusses on creating good conditions for conversations about social change through large-scale social simulations (megagames). As a teacher, Ola has a strong interest in Education for Sustainability. Read more about Ola’s research here: Ola Leifler – Linköping University
The seminar will be held in English.
Registration
Registration is open until Tuesday 18 March. For late registration, contact terese.thoni@cec.lu.se.
Visit the registration page here.
Audience
This seminar is intended for programme directors, course coordinators, educators, and study administrators at Lund University. Others are welcome to register, but priority will be given to those from Lund University with existing educational assignments. You do not need previous experience with serious games to attend the seminar.
Venue
The seminar will take place at the Department of Physics, Sölvegatan 14C. Upon entering, signage will be visible directing you to the room location.
