Staffordshire University London will host a three-day esports conference in 2024, highlighting new research and insights into competitive gaming.
The Esports Research Network conference will take place at Staffordshire University London from Wednesday October 30th to Friday November 1st and is open to industry experts and academics alike.
There will also be an Open Panel event on Tuesday October 29th, where students can network with researchers attending the conference.
The event is a collaboration between the Esports Research Network, Staffordshire University and Manchester Metropolitan University, and will form part of the 20 years of games celebrations at Staffordshire University.
The inaugural iteration of the conference took place in 2021 online. It was supposed to take place in Paris, but due to Covid was moved online. Then, another took place in 2022 at Jonkoping University, Sweden, in collaboration with Dreamhack, with speakers from established esports organisations, such as ESL Faceit Group, Riot Games, Fnatic, Ninjas in Pyjamas and Esports Insider.
Dr Tom Brock, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Manchester Met and Board member for the Esports Research Network, said: ‘‘At a time when the industry faces several challenges, from sustainability and ethical practices to the intricacies of global collaboration, this event offers an opportunity to forge new, evidence-based pathways. ‘Where Worlds Collide’ is not just a theme; it’s a call to action for thinkers, creators, and leaders in the esports community to address pressing issues and shape a resilience and inclusive future for the industry.”
Staffordshire University Esports lecturer and conference co-organiser Cameron Vanloo added:
“We are thrilled to host the Esports Research Network Conference at our specialist London campus at Here East, which is centred on the gaming and computing sectors.”
Cameron Vanloo, Staffordshire University
“Esports continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and this conference provides a platform for scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts to exchange ideas and insights. Drawing on our rich history in games education and the recent surge of esports events in the UK, we are poised to deliver an exceptional conference experience.”
The conference will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, paper presentations and interactive workshops, offering attendees an overview of the latest trends and developments in esports research and practice.
Participants can expect to engage with experts, network with peers, and contribute to discussions that will shape the future of esports, according to a press release.
A call for submissions is open for:
- Presentation abstracts (up to 300 words) deadline Monday May 20th
- Full papers (for a chance to be featured in the Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports): October 1st
- Panels and workshops (500-word rationale)
- Poster presentations (200-word abstract and design concept)
Submissions can be made via EasyChair, while early bird registration will open on Thursday August 15th on the Esports Research Network website.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
