Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Well, I design and teach degree courses at the University of Leicester, UK, in and around historical subjects (Archaeology – my background, Museums and History); I also design games for education, museums and charities.
How does your work relate to play & games?
My research area, since I first encountered alternate reality games in 2006 (and lost about a year of my life to them), has been in the use of games and game design techniques for learning: and I embed the principles of this research in everything I do. My History and Archaeology courses teach academic research skills through game-based approaches, I teach an interactive Museums and Play module, and I helped design a successful fundraising ARG for Cancer Research UK. Currently, I’m most interested in the aspects of pervasive gaming which encourage deep engagement and set contexts for learning.
What is your favorite way of playing?
With others – whether that’s my kids, or with friends over a beer. Learning to play, and master, a new game with others is one of the most enjoyable activities I know.
