Emma Reay

Emma Reay is a Lecturer in Media and Communication at the Cambridge School of Creative Industries, Anglia Ruskin University, where she teaches Critical Games Studies, Digital Media Theory, and Youth Culture modules. She also delivers Game Design and Art courses at the University of Southampton, with research bridging games studies, childhood studies, and education.

Her academic credentials include:

• BA in English Literature from the University of Oxford
• MA in English Literature from the University of Oxford
• MPhil in Children’s Literature from the University of Cambridge
• PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge

Dr. Reay’s research centers on child representation in digital media, with pioneering work on the silent child trope and toy studies in gaming. Her scholarship examines cuteness as a narrative device, social justice themes in children’s media, and the intersection of literary theory with game design, particularly in how games handle childhood vulnerability and agency.

Her publication trajectory reveals a concentrated focus on children’s representation in contemporary video games (2018-2022), with increasing emphasis on ethical dimensions like violence against child characters and social justice applications. Key outlets include Game Studies and Journal of Gaming and Virtual Worlds, demonstrating methodological innovation through large-scale game analysis (e.g., surveying 500+ games for her PhD).

Her accolades include:

• Jaqueline Wilson award
• Pigott award
• Vice-Chancellor's award

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Dr. Reay serves as Game Design consultant for higher education institutions and indie developers. She is a key collaborator on the University of Cambridge’s Good Death project exploring gaming and mortality, while maintaining active conference engagement through invited talks at IRSCL, ChLA, and DiGRA events. Her Twitter presence extends public discourse on games and media.