Current research demonstrates the potential of games for learning and society. As game studies matures and expands its influence across a range of fields and industries, a space is needed for academics, industry leaders, educators, and policy makers to engage not just in industry building but also in serious discussion about the current state of the field, where we ought to be headed, and what impact games can and ought to have on culture and society. Games are an important medium, revealing new worlds in the virtual realm and inspiring new worldviews in the physical one. Millions of people play, for both work and recreation - and they participate in ongoing economic and social change as a result. Game studies and related literature is influencing business, entertainment, education, and government across the country. As interest intensifies and the number of events dedicated to the discussion of games increases, it is crucial that issues of learning and social impact not get lost in the equally worthy cause of industry building.

The third annual Games, Learning & Society (GLS) Conference to be held July 12-13, 2007 in Madison, Wisconsin will explore such issues. Sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education and the Academic ADL Co-Lab, the GLS Conference fosters substantive discussion and collaboration among academics, designers, and educators interested in how game technologies - commercial games and others - can enhance learning, culture, and education. Speakers, discussion groups, interactive workshops, and exhibits will focus on game design, game culture, and games’ potential for learning.

This two-day conference will be held at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Monona Terrace overlooking downtown Madison’s beautiful Lake Monona. Conference highlights include a special session of hands-on workshops designed by and for videogame researchers and designers, a two-day lounge featuring Chat 'n' Frag sessions with key scholars and designers, fireside chats with special guests, a gameroom, webcasts of selected conference sessions, and, of course, our signature Thursday night dinner party.

We invite creative and interactive proposals for presentations, discussions, symposia, workshops, debates, respondents, and exhibits on topics and issues related to conference themes (above) in the following session formats. The deadline for submission is February 15, 2007. To continue providing a high-quality program, all submissions will go through peer review and be evaluated with respect to quality, originality, clarity, and relevance to conference themes. Based on positive feedback from last year's conference, we especially encourage interactive session formats such as workshops, debates, and hands-on events for the GLS lounge.