Author: hevga
Washington, DC – We unwaveringly support our LGBTQ faculty, students, and members and will always advocate for their right to be treated equally under the law and with respect in society. That is why the Higher Education Video Game Alliance resolutely opposes the Department of Justice’s latest amicus brief on Title VII aimed at restricting the rights of LGBTQ people to live and work.
LGBTQ people are integral to the games community and we would not have a booming field and industry without them. In order for our people to have opportunities to thrive, they must be protected from discrimination on the basis of both sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Trans*, non-binary, gender fluid, and other non-cisgender people continue to have the least protections and face the most serious threats and acts of discrimination, particularly trans* women of color. The administration’s actions put existing federal protections at grave risk and seriously damages ongoing battles yet to be won.
The Department of Justice’s brief is in direct opposition to The Alliance’s mission to underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video games, as our universities and programs suffer when LGBTQ people are discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. We are committed to our LGBTQ members and will ensure their voices continue to be heard.
Washington, DC – May 4, 2017
The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) is working with Uppsala University, Sweden, and the Gotland Game Conference to expand its international goals on a broader scale. HEVGA’s mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities. The key is to create a robust network of resources–including unified advocacy, policymaker engagement, media coverage, and external funding–in order to incubate and harness the impact of this community in a 21st century learning environment.
How does this translate to an international scene? How do we build a network of resources that are valuable by country, across institutions and across borders?
At this year’s Gotland Game Conference, the Department of Game Design at Uppsala University is hosting an international summit for game educators, and inviting all game educations to participate.
An outcome of HEVGA’s Annual Meeting on February 26, this is a first meeting to start working towards a European alliance of game educations. The goal is to ask basic questions such as: who are we, what do we teach now, and how do we see that changing in the future; and, the deeper ones, like how can we build a network of resources that are valuable across institutions in each country and across borders?
The summit takes place on two days, separated by the GGC. Sunday (28/5) is spent getting know other meeting participants; informal presentations that focus on the work we do and how we do it, followed by a VIP dinner and booth crawl amongst the games on the show floor. 29-30/5 is spent networking and soaking up inspiration at the conference proper, before the summit picks up again with a working day on Wednesday 31/5.
The second day of the summit will focus on what HEVGA in Europe could look like, with a focus on actionable goals for building a platform that supports us all: a unified advocacy, a media amplifier, taking local achievements global, a better way to secure funding and a network that recognizes the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of game educations at colleges and universities.
If time allows, there will be a breakout into groups in the afternoon, to discuss specific topics like base education, research, industry outreach, alliance details, and [insert-your-suggestions-here!].
Register for a conference- and summit pass here: https://ti.to/campus-gotland-game/ggc2017
For summit details, and to submit a presentation: http://gotlandgameconference.com/2017/game- educators-summit/
For more information about the GGC, see: http://gotlandgameconference.com/2017/about/
For questions or inquiries, please email Jonathan Elmergreen, Executive Director, at jonathan@138.197.45.69.
Washington, DC – May 4, 2017 The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) is working with Uppsala University, Sweden, and the Gotland Game Conference to expand its international goals on a broader scale. HEVGA’s mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities. The key is to create a robust network of resources–including unified advocacy, policymaker engagement, media coverage, and external funding–in order to incubate and harness the impact of this community in a 21st century learning environment.
How does this translate to an international scene? How do we build a network of resources that are valuable by country, across institutions and across borders?
At this year’s Gotland Game Conference, the Department of Game Design at Uppsala University is hosting an international summit for game educators, and inviting all game educations to participate.
An outcome of HEVGA’s Annual Meeting on February 26, this is a first meeting to start working towards a European alliance of game educations. The goal is to ask basic questions such as: who are we, what do we teach now, and how do we see that changing in the future; and, the deeper ones, like how can we build a network of resources that are valuable across institutions in each country and across borders?
The summit takes place on two days, separated by the GGC. Sunday (28/5) is spent getting know other meeting participants; informal presentations that focus on the work we do and how we do it, followed by a VIP dinner and booth crawl amongst the games on the show floor. 29-30/5 is spent networking and soaking up inspiration at the conference proper, before the summit picks up again with a working day on Wednesday 31/5.
The second day of the summit will focus on what HEVGA in Europe could look like, with a focus on actionable goals for building a platform that supports us all: a unified advocacy, a media amplifier, taking local achievements global, a better way to secure funding and a network that recognizes the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of game educations at colleges and universities.
If time allows, there will be a breakout into groups in the afternoon, to discuss specific topics like base education, research, industry outreach, alliance details, and [insert-your-suggestions-here!].
Register for a conference- and summit pass here: https://ti.to/campus-gotland-game/ggc2017
For summit details, and to submit a presentation: http://gotlandgameconference.com/2017/game- educators-summit/
For more information about the GGC, see: http://gotlandgameconference.com/2017/about/
For questions or inquiries, please email Jonathan Elmergreen, Executive Director, at jonathan@hevga.org.
Washington, DC – April 12, 2017
The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) applauds New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan (D) for introducing the Reigniting Opportunity for Innovators (ROI) Act to help alleviate student debt by supporting young entrepreneurs to grow small businesses. Young entrepreneurs have declined while student loan debt has sharply risen. The act would help entrepreneurs reduce federal student loan debt by allowing deferment of loan payments and interest accrual as well as eligibility for $20,000 in debt cancellation by locating the start-up in economically distressed areas.
“We praise Senator Hassan for her continued support of students and recognition that young people are important innovators in business and the economy,” said HEVGA President Constance Steinkuehler. “For young entrepreneurs hoping to start-up a games studio or games related organization in the tech industry, student loan debt is a major obstacle and can result in delays or complete abandonment of a start-up for fear of defaulting on loans or not being able to secure capital above their own resources.”
“New York’s recent decision to offer free tuition to full-time students at two- and four-year SUNY/CUNY schools for families making $125,000 or less clearly shows the growing interest and need to address soaring student debt. Senator Hassan’s bill simultaneously works to alleviate debt while also growing our economy,” said Andy Phelps, HEVGA Treasurer. “Similarly, state-funded efforts to establish regional interactive gaming hubs at NYU, RPI, and RIT, as well as state support of the RIT MAGIC Spell Studios effort, speak to continued investment in university-based commercialization and entrepreneurship efforts. Programs such as these are critical if we are to continue the growth of games and media as a critical STEM sector of the national economy.
“Our reports show that alumni of games-based programs in higher education do well on the job market, leading to high-paying jobs where the average salary for a full-time position is $76,200 and 82.9% of graduates describe themselves as “thriving” at work,” said Katherine Isbister, HEVGA Communications and Outreach Officer. “Many alumni go on to found or work in start-ups or small studios in the multi-billion dollar games industry, a driver of economic activity and innovation. The ROI Act would provide our graduates with crucial support towards alleviating the financial worry that comes with student loan debt and help encourage the growth of small businesses in the games industry, leading to a more creative workforce, job creation, and well-paid positions. We praise Senator Hassan for introducing this bill.”
The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) is the professional organization for video games scholars and programs at universities across the country and abroad. Our mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities. The key is to create a robust network of resources–including unified advocacy, policymaker engagement, media coverage, and external funding–in order to incubate and harness the impact of this community in a 21st century learning environment. For more information, please visit www.hevga.org
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Washington, DC – April 12, 2017 – The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) applauds New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan (D) for introducing the Reigniting Opportunity for Innovators (ROI) Act to help alleviate student debt by supporting young entrepreneurs to grow small businesses. Young entrepreneurs have declined while student loan debt has sharply risen. The act would help entrepreneurs reduce federal student loan debt by allowing deferment of loan payments and interest accrual as well as eligibility for $20,000 in debt cancellation by locating the start-up in economically distressed areas.
“We praise Senator Hassan for her continued support of students and recognition that young people are important innovators in business and the economy,” said HEVGA President Constance Steinkuehler. “For young entrepreneurs hoping to start-up a games studio or games related organization in the tech industry, student loan debt is a major obstacle and can result in delays or complete abandonment of a start-up for fear of defaulting on loans or not being able to secure capital above their own resources.”
“New York’s recent decision to offer free tuition to full-time students at two- and four-year SUNY/CUNY schools for families making $125,000 or less clearly shows the growing interest and need to address soaring student debt. Senator Hassan’s bill simultaneously works to alleviate debt while also growing our economy,” said Andy Phelps, HEVGA Treasurer. “Similarly, state-funded efforts to establish regional interactive gaming hubs at NYU, RPI, and RIT, as well as state support of the RIT MAGIC Spell Studios effort, speak to continued investment in university-based commercialization and entrepreneurship efforts. Programs such as these are critical if we are to continue the growth of games and media as a critical STEM sector of the national economy.”
“Our reports show that alumni of games-based programs in higher education do well on the job market, leading to high-paying jobs where the average salary for a full-time position is $76,200 and 82.9% of graduates describe themselves as “thriving” at work,” said Katherine Isbister, HEVGA Communications and Outreach Officer. “Many alumni go on to found or work in start-ups or small studios in the multi-billion dollar games industry, a driver of economic activity and innovation. The ROI Act would provide our graduates with crucial support towards alleviating the financial worry that comes with student loan debt and help encourage the growth of small businesses in the games industry, leading to a more creative workforce, job creation, and well-paid positions. We praise Senator Hassan for introducing this bill.”
The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) is the professional organization for video games scholars and programs at universities across the country and abroad. Our mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities. The key is to create a robust network of resources–including unified advocacy, policymaker engagement, media coverage, and external funding–in order to incubate and harness the impact of this community in a 21st century learning environment. For more information, please visit www.hevga.org
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GDC Member Meeting 2017
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WELCOME 2017 FELLOWS
Washington, DC – February 27, 2017 – Today, The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) proudly announces their Fellows program, inducting 30 scholars into their inaugural cohort of leaders in games in higher education. Established in 2017, The Higher Education Video Game Alliance Fellows program recognizes senior scholars in the games domain who have made significant contribution to the field in design, theory, or research. HEVGA Fellows are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to games-based research and design in higher education. Fellows serve as integral ambassadors for the organization and are inducted as lifetime members. HEVGA is committed to providing a robust network of resources and support to its members and member institutions, whose contributions are essential to the success of the field and the international games community.
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GDC MEMBER MEETING
Washington, DC – February 10, 2017 – The Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA), with generous support from iThrive, is excited to announce it will host a member meeting on Sunday, February 26. Held at the Intercontinental San Francisco in Telegraph Hill from 1:00 – 6:00pm prior to GDC, the meeting will bring together leaders in games and higher education to begin generating a series of reports on key areas instrumental to the continued success of the field, such as tenure, program rankings, publishing in journals and conferences, alumni tracking, and blueprints for creating games programs.
The first of their kind, the reports will serve as vetted guidelines and gold standards for the field, acting as crucial resources for programs, departments, faculty, and students as they continue to grow and develop their work at their institutions.
Members will collaborate with pioneers who have proven track records and successes in each area. Together, attendees will have first access towards shaping the content of the reports and opportunities for authorship or listing as a contributor.
Capacity is limited to 40 in order to maximize intellectual cross-pollination, genuine face-time, and professional networking.
Following the meeting, members may attend an elective informal dinner at a local downtown restaurant.
For questions or inquiries, please email Jonathan Elmergreen, Executive Director, at jonathan@hevga.org.
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About HEVGA
Our mission is to create a platform for higher education leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities. The key is to create a robust network of resources–including unified advocacy, policymaker engagement, media coverage, and external funding–in order to incubate and harness the impact of this community in a 21st century learning environment. For more information, visit hevga.org, like HEVGA on Facebook, or follow @HigherEdGames on Twitter.
About iThrive
iThrive is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering teens through great games. They collaborate with game developers, conduct research, and provide resources and support to foster teen thriving through gameplay. www.ithrivegames.org
An ASU professor is pushing back against criticism by Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake of government-funded video game development.
“Whether or not you like them as a platform for learning, to condemn these programs for which there are hundreds of emerging game designers is to really lock out your state of an emerging industry,” said James Gee, a Regent Professor at ASU’s Teacher’s College of Education.
To read the full story, click here.