International Authors will be presenting their Experience of Games and Learning

List of Authors (more to be added shortly):
Dr. Fabrizio Amarilli, Dublin City University
Dr. Leslie Haas, Xavier University of Louisiana, United States of America
Dr. Marie-Pierre Maechling, University of Strasbourg
Dr. Laurence Schmoll, University of Strasbourg
Dr. Dave Pape, University at Buffalo
Dr. Bryan Duggan, Technological University Dublin
Dr. José Luis Fernandez-Robles, University of Guadalajara
Dr. Roxana Recio-Colmenares, University of Guadalajara
Dr. Carolina Recio-Colmenares, University of Guadalajara
Dr. César Alejandro Garcia-Garcia, University of Guadalajara
Mr Gabe Martin, University at Buffalo
Mr Rob OSullivan, Munster Technological Unoversity
Mr. James Clarke, Technological University Dublin
Ms Claudia Jefferson, University at Buffalo
Ms. Oxana Timakova, Independent Researcher, Italy
Ms. Jane Dooley, Munster Technological University
Ms. Lisa Brennan, Waterford Wexford ETB

Dr. Fabrizio Amarilli, Dublin City University

Fabrizio Amarilli is an Assistant Professor of Digital Business at Dublin City University (DCU) Business School and an adjunct professor of Management Information Systems at Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Management. His research and professional interests focus on the intricate relationship between digital technologies and organizational transformation. With 25 years of experience in applied research, he has actively participated in several research projects, mostly funded at the international level, conducted project evaluations for the European Commission, and provided consultancy services to both SMEs and large corporations, alongside his entrepreneurial ventures. In his teaching activities, he is dedicated to using real case studies and innovative approaches to engage students. He holds a PhD in Information Systems from VU University Amsterdam and an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Politecnico di Milano

Fabrizio’s presentation (s): Enhancing Board Game Integration in Educational Contexts Using Generative AI

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Ms. Lisa Brennan, Waterford Wexford ETB

Lisa Brennan is a FET teacher and has worked with Waterford Wexford ETB for the past 13 years. Lisa teaches a range of modules from QQI Levels 3–6. She has a BA (Hons) in Training and Education, a BA (Hons) in Adult and Further Education, and an MEd in Teaching and Learning. Lisa has a passion for inclusion and values teaching methods that promote positive inclusive practices. As a person who enjoys games, puzzles, and logical challenges, she loves to explore how game-based learning, and the gamification of tasks can positively impact learners. Lisa is also a strong advocate for lifelong learning and continuously strives to engage and support learners with diverse needs. In her teaching practice, Lisa actively integrates game-based strategies to enhance learner engagement, build problem-solving skills, and create more inclusive learning environments that encourage new ways of thinking. She lives in Wexford, with a busy household including her partner, three children, two fish, and one dog.

Lisa’s presentation (s): Levelling the playing field: Creating inclusive learning opportunities in the FET Sector

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Mr. James Clarke, Technological University Dublin

James Clarke is a research assistant in the School of Computer Science who has been working with Godot for the past two years.

James’s presentation (s): Porting Tunepal to Godot

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Ms. Jane Dooley, Munster Technological University

Jane Dooley is the Social Media Manager and a content developer at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, working on outreach projects and interactive digital content for their science exhibition. Since starting at BCO, she has delivered countless planetarium shows, tours and workshops and has attended and facilitated at events such as the Mallow Science Fair, Mayo Dark Skies Festival, Cork Carnival of Science and Pint of Science. Jane has a BSc in Astrophysics from University College Cork (UCC) and is passionate about astronomy, physics and science communication. She has previously worked as a lab demonstrator and teaching assistant in UCC, tutoring over 400 students, for which she won the student nominated ‘Postgraduate Demonstrator of the Year’ award in 2022 and was nominated again in 2023. Jane was co-founder of an equality in physics network in UCC called EPONA, that strives to make physics accessible to all. In 2019 she was one of two students to take part in the first I-LOFAR (Irish Low Frequency Array) Education Internship at Birr Castle, where she spent the summer designing exhibit pieces and children’s summer camps, while also giving daily tours of the telescopes on site.

Jane’s presentation (s): Terrestrial – Exploring Exoplanet Research via Board Game

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Dr. Bryan Duggan, Technological University Dublin

Dr Bryan Duggan has been teaching courses on Games Engines for over 20 years and 2 years ago I switched all my courses to Godot. I have experience teaching the engine at all levels, from high-school to 4th year, to students on Computer Science and Game Design programs.

Bryan’s presentation (s): Porting Tunepal to Godot

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Dr. José Luis Fernandez-Robles, University of Guadalajara

Dr. José Luis Fernández Robles is a professor affiliated with the Department of Information Systems at the University Center for Economic and Administrative Sciences of the University of Guadalajara. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Technologies (2018) and a master’s degree in Learning Technologies (2012) from the University of Guadalajara. His teaching areas include IT Project Management, IT Service Management, Graphic Design, and Video Editing. He also collaborates with university professors in seminars on instructional design and the development of educational materials. His research interests focus on the planning and development of educational materials for teaching children in primary education, particularly the use of video games (serious games) for teaching mathematics.

José Luis’s presentation (s): Molecular Duelist: A TCG-inspired digital serious game for learning stoichiometry

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Dr. César Alejandro Garcia-Garcia, University of Guadalajara

Dr. César García is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in academia and research. Currently serving as a Full-Time Professor at the University of Guadalajara since 2014, Dr. García specializes in Computer Science Engineering and Applied Mathematics. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology from the University of Guadalajara, where he focused on modeling and simulation. Additionally, he completed doctoral studies in Applied Mathematics at the University of Toulouse-Capitole, France, specializing in mathematical modeling. Dr. García has made notable contributions to the field through numerous publications and thesis supervision. His current research interests are artificial intelligence, serious games, and energy efficiency.

César Alejandro ‘s presentation (s): Molecular Duelist: A TCG-inspired digital serious game for learning stoichiometry

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Dr. Leslie Haas, Xavier University of Louisiana, United States of America

Teaching experiences across Dr. Haas’ career include working with K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students. Additional experiences include instructional coaching, professional development, curriculum design, and department administration. Opportunities in highly diverse settings have acted as both a catalyst and foundation for her focus on integrating and connecting literacy across disciplines through culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices. Dr. Haas is particularly interested in technology-based literacy opportunities for underrepresented populations through engagement with popular culture, specifically gaming and fanfiction. She has been honored for her work in research, teaching, and technology through Buena Vista University, Fierce Education, The Texas A&M University System, and The Dallas Catholic Foundation.

Leslie’s presentation (s): Beyond Lectures: Integrating Game-Based Learning for First-Year English Courses in Central Asia

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Ms Claudia Jefferson, University at Buffalo

Claudia Jefferson is a recent Computer Science graduate from the University at Buffalo, with a minor in Art. During her time at the university, she explored both hardware and software development while experimenting with various artistic media. In the fall semester of her senior year, she collaborated with Professor David Pape and a team of undergraduates on an experimental virtual film project. As lead tech on the production, she researched emerging technologies, learned film software, and managed the technical aspects of on-set virtual scenes and effects. She also contributed to the project’s documentation by writing reports, capturing behind-the-scenes photography, and editing process videos. Klaudia is passionate about combining technology and creativity, and she looks forward to opportunities where she can continue to bridge the gap between art and innovation.

Claudia’s presentation (s): Game development tools in student filmmaking

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Dr. Marie-Pierre Maechling, University of Strasbourg

Marie-Pierre Maechling is Senior Lecturer in English Linguistics at the University of Strasbourg, and a member of UR 1339 Linguistique, Langues, Paroles. She has devoted much of her career to issues relating to first-year students, and in particular to student success or failure. Her research, initially in English stylistics, is now focusing on the didactics of grammar in higher education. In particular, she is attempting to understand and improve the reception of grammatical theory through some action-research projects undertaken since 2020.

Marie-Pierre’s presentation (s): Playful and creative activities to reduce anxiety when speaking in a foreign language, the example of Lego® – An action-training research

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Mr Gabe Martin, University at Buffalo

Gabe Martin is an undergraduate student at the University at Buffalo. He is a double major in Media Study and English, and studies narrative film-making, cinematography, and creative writing.

Gabe’s presentation (s): Game development tools in student filmmaking

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Mr Rob OSullivan, Munster Technological Unoversity

Rob is a science communicator, working in the creation, administration, and delivery of educational programs at the Research Ireland Discover Centre – MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO). He is the National Outreach Coordinator of Space Week Ireland, and works with the team at BCO to develop space-themed educational resources for use by stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds. He was project manager of the recently completed Research Ireland Discover Award Program – Terrestrial. Rob works in a variety of science outreach roles and is part of the National Outreach Coordination team for the International Astronomical Union and for the European Southern Observatory

Rob’s presentation (s): Terrestrial – Exploring Exoplanet Research via Board Game

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Dr. Dave Pape, University at Buffalo

Dave Pape is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media Study of the University at Buffalo, where he directs UB’s Virtual Reality Studio and the Game Studies program. He works in the creation of interactive virtual environments, as well as the development of tools for computer art and performance. He received a PhD in Computer Science from the Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL), of the University of Illinois at Chicago, working on development of the CAVE virtual reality system. Prior to that, he was at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, in the Scientific Visualization Studio and the High Performance Computing & Communications branch.

Dave’s presentation (s): Game development tools in student filmmaking

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Dr. Carolina Recio-Colmenares, University of Guadalajara

Dr. Carolina Livier Recio Colmenares is a distinguished researcher and member of the National System of Researchers in Mexico, recognized as a Candidate for National Researcher for the period 2022-2025. Her expertise lies in the field of Design and Optimization of Advanced Materials, contributing to the Lines of Generation and Application of Knowledge at the University of Guadalajara, specifically within the Department of Water and Energy Studies. In addition to her research endeavors, Dr. Recio Colmenares serves as the Program Coordinator for the bachelor’s degree in Energy Engineering at the University of Guadalajara. Dr. Recio Colmenares holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, a master’s degree in water and energy engineering, and a Doctorate in Water and Energy, all from the University of Guadalajara. Her current research interests are ecological remediation using advanced materials as well as energy efficiency

Carolina’s presentation (s): Molecular Duelist: A TCG-inspired digital serious game for learning stoichiometry

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Dr. Roxana Recio-Colmenares, University of Guadalajara

Dr. Roxana Berenice Recio Colmenares is a researcher and member of the National System of Researchers in Mexico, recognized as a Candidate for National Researcher for the period 2023-2026. Her expertise lies in the areas of thermo-solar energy and design and evaluation of energy micro-grids using artificial intelligence. Dr. Recio Colmenares holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, a master’s degree in water and energy engineering, and a Doctorate in water and energy, all from the University of Guadalajara. Her current research interests are solar drying technology for food preservation, designing micro-grids applying artificial neural networks, and energy efficiency

Roxana’s presentation (s): Molecular Duelist: A TCG-inspired digital serious game for learning stoichiometry

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Dr. Laurence Schmoll, University of Strasbourg

Laurence Schmoll is Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at the University of Strasbourg, and a member of the LiLPa research unit (UR 1339 LiLPa, Linguistique, Langues, Parole). Her research focuses on pedagogical engineering, play-based approaches to teaching and learning (toys, games, gamification), and technology-mediated language teaching and learning, more specifically digital games.

As part of European projects or with a company, she has helped to design five digital games for learning French (Thélème, Les Éonautes), English (Biumiz), or German (Architekt 2015, Avenkraft) as a foreign language, a website offering modules and teaching sheets on designing online tasks (Lingu@num), and a website for intercomprehension in Romance languages (Babelweb.eu).

Latest publications:

Di Filippo, L., Schmoll, L. (Dir.). 2024. Les mondes ludiques. Constructions et détournements. L’Harmattan.
Schmoll, L. 2024. Outils numériques pour l’enseignement : des espaces numériques aux salles de classe, Alsic, 27 (2). https://journals.openedition.org/alsic/7715
Ollivier, C., Perrot, L., Schmoll, L. 2023. Atouts et limites de tâches ancrées dans la vie réelle pour le développement de compétences langagières et de la citoyenneté numérique. Perceptions d’enseignants. Alsic, 26 (1). https://journals.openedition.org/alsic/7103

Laurence’s presentation (s): Playful and creative activities to reduce anxiety when speaking in a foreign language, the example of Lego® – An action-training research

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Ms. Oxana Timakova, Independent Researcher, Italy

Oxana Timakova is a language educator and intercultural communication specialist with expertise in game-based learning methodologies. Her multidisciplinary background combines an MSc in Industrial Design from the Russian State University of Tourism and Service with post graduate degrees in Intercultural Communication and Management from the University of Verona, Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language from Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Game-Based Learning from the University of Urbino. Oxana leverages her design thinking and pedagogical expertise to develop engaging educational experiences for diverse student populations. She gained professional experience in teaching by working with professionals and students at the Secondary School Civico Polo Scolastico Manzoni in Milan. Oxana specializes in helping students and professionals develop effective intercultural and language communication skills through innovative approaches that integrate game-based learning principles. She is the creator and administrator of Ludi2Learn (www.ludi2learn.com), a platform dedicated to promoting and sharing resources on GBL in language teaching.

Oxana’s presentation (s):