Join us for the "2nd Geogames Symposium: Connecting Communities Through Games and Play", in Dublin, Ireland, where cutting-edge innovation and community-centred approaches converge! Explore how analogue and digital games can foster a deeper understanding of our world and communities. Whether you are a researcher, developer, or gaming enthusiast, this event is your gateway to the future of geogames. Feel invited to be part of our event in Dublin on June 5-6, 2025 – where virtual worlds and the real world collide!

This year we will highlight the intersection of geogames with new ecological epistemologies. We will examine how geogames can enhance our comprehension of the planet Earth as a complex network of interconnected actors and self-regulating systems to rethink how we/humans impact the urban environment. Let’s explore together how geogames can promote environmental awareness, foster community engagement and cohesion, and offer creative solutions to unprecedented local and global urban challenges.

We invite everyone who is working on fundamental and application areas of geogames which may include games for urban planning, architectural design, cultural heritage conservation, urban geography, climate risks and disaster management, geotechnical engineering, environmental psychology, cultural anthropology, urban/mental health and more.

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

• Extended abstracts Between 750-1000 words. Please describe your research in the suggested form: problem statement, research focus, research methodology, results, discussion and conclusions.
• Workshops Around 300 words. You may submit a suggestion for a 2–3 hours workshop.
• Game demonstrations and game play Around 300 words. Propose a demonstration or testing of your game/prototype.

List of Topics

• Topic 1: Geogames and Environmental Awareness: Explore how games can educate players about ecological systems and promote sustainable and regenerative practices, utilizing both analog tools such as board and card games and digital platforms.
• Topic 2: Community-Centred Geogame Implementation: Discuss the role of community input and evaluation in creating engaging geogames that address local and global urban issues.
• Topic 3: Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in Geogames: Investigate the immersive potential of AR and VR technologies to create interactive and educational experiences rooted in real-world contexts.
• Topic 4: Artificial Intelligence and Geogames: Examine how AI can enhance geogames by creating dynamic, responsive environments and personalized experiences.
• Topic 5: Examples of Geogames and how they were created: Discuss geogames prototypes, their purpose, implementation, goals and testing.

Committees

Local Committee

• Chiara Cocco (University College Dublin)
• Ítalo Sousa de Sena (University College Dublin)

Program and Organizing committee

• Alenka Poplin (Iowa State University)
• Bruno Amaral de Andrade (Portucalense University)
• Ítalo Sousa de Sena (University College Dublin)

Scientific committee

• Alenka Poplin (Iowa State University, USA)
• Anson Call (Iowa State University, USA)
• Brian Tomaszewski (Rochester Institute of Technology, USA)
• Bruno Amaral de Andrade (Portucalense University, Portugal)
• Christoph Schleider (Bamberg University, Germany)
• Deepak Marhatta (Tribhuvan University, Nepal)
• Ítalo Sousa de Sena (University College Dublin, Ireland)
• Jeffrey Wheatley (Iowa State University, USA)
• Jeremy Best (Iowa State University, USA)
• Mónica Alcindor (Portucalense University, Portugal)
• Micael Sousa (University College Dublin, Ireland)
• ...more scholars t.b.c.

Invited Speakers

• To be confirmed

Publication

Best extended abstracts of the 2GGS proceedings will be invited to be published in our special issue on Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science.

Venue

The conference will be held at the University College Dublin campus.

Contact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to the Organization committee (geogamesgroup@gmail.com) with copy to Alenka Poplin (apoplin@iastate.edu).

Sponsors

Geogames Lab

UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy

College of Design, Iowa State University