Welcome to GLS 5.0!

Back and better than ever, the Games+Learning+Society Conference 5.0 will feature substantive discussion and collaboration among academics, designers, and educators interested in how videogames, commercial and otherwise, can enhance learning, culture, and education.

Evaluate GLS 5.0

This year’s theme — Learning Through Interaction — highlights the expansive nature of our definition of games and game culture to include research and design in areas including popular culture and fandom, interactive design more generally, and digital/visual cultures.

New this year: The conference is three days long, will move to the UW’s historic Memorial Union overlooking downtown Madison’s beautiful Lake Mendota, and will have capacity for all of last year’s attendees plus last year’s waiting list.

Highlights

• Explore topics like game design, digital pop culture, and learning (broadly defined)
• Attend keynotes by leaders from academia and industry
• Take part in hands-on workshops, by and for gamers, researchers, and designers
• Engage in fireside chats with speakers and other special guests
• Attend guided Chat ’n’ Frag sessions in the conference arcade
• Peruse the Wednesday night poster session over cocktails
• Enjoy our signature Thursday night dinner party overlooking Lake Mendota
• Relax over a casual evening of machinima in a cozy theater

Confirmed speakers: James Paul Gee, Idit Caperton, Alex Chisholm, Doug Church, Mia Consalvo, Elonka Dunin, Drew Davidson, Rich Halverson, Erica Halverson, Lisa Nakamura, Bonnie Nardi, Kurt Squire, Constance Steinkuehler, Steven Thorne, Dmitri Williams, and Eric Zimmerman.

We look forward to seeing you in Madison in June (and we promise, no snow)!