Daniel Gardner

Daniel Gardner is a Lecturer of computing and game design at Robert Gordon University's School of Computing, Engineering & Technology. His academic work bridges game design, human-computer interaction, and critical social perspectives, with particular emphasis on issues of representation and accessibility for marginalized communities in digital spaces.

Dr. Gardner's research interests include:

• Interaction and game design with critical perspectives
• Collaborative and participatory research-through-design methodologies
• Counter-design processes that challenge exclusionary practices
• Critical usability analysis of digital interfaces
• Game software studies examining infrastructural and systemic issues

His work specifically investigates 'inequitable interactions enabled or enforced by interfaces and infrastructures on the periphery of digital games and media,' focusing on how 'transactions of authority and exclusion mediated by access controls, character configuration, and physical interfaces/controllers' disproportionately affect historically marginalized communities.

Analysis of Dr. Gardner's recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a consistent research trajectory examining representation across multiple dimensions including character design, game covers, microtransaction systems, access controls, and infrastructure barriers. His methodology often combines qualitative analysis of player experiences with critical examination of design systems, frequently employing collaborative approaches that involve diverse stakeholders in the design process.

Professional recognition includes:

• Japan Association for Language Teaching (2024)
• Convergence journal affiliation (2023)
• ACM SIGCHI Equity Committee membership (2022)
• DiGRA Diversity Working Group participation (2019)
• Editorial Board membership for iThrive's Journal of Games, Society, and Self (2019)

He has maintained active involvement with major conferences including ACM CHI, CHI PLAY, CSCW, and DiGRA across multiple years.

In teaching, Dr. Gardner covers interaction and game design, social implications of digital technologies, and research/project design/management. His scholarly approach to pedagogy is evident in his 2024 publication addressing barriers to teaching teamwork in STEM education, demonstrating his commitment to addressing practical challenges in collaborative learning environments while connecting technical education to broader social contexts.