Jens Junge

Prof. Dr. Jens Junge is a faculty member at SRH University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, where he serves as Professor and Director of the Institute for Ludologie within the School of Design and Communication. His work bridges academia and cultural practice, focusing on the scientific study of games and play. He leads major initiatives in game preservation, digital archiving, and public understanding of ludic culture.

• Institution: SRH University of Applied Sciences, Berlin
• School: School of Design and Communication
• Role: Professor and Director, Institute for Ludologie
• Research Sites: Altenburg, Nuremberg, Flensburg, Berlin

His research interests center around ludology, gamification, digital and board game culture, and the role of play in society and education. With a background in comics, publishing, and internet entrepreneurship, he brings a unique transdisciplinary perspective to game studies. He advocates for the recognition of play as a cultural force and has contributed significantly to policy discussions through advisory roles and media engagement.

The recent scholarly articles reflect a strong thematic focus on the cultural, psychological, and educational dimensions of play. His work analyzes games not just as entertainment but as tools for learning, therapy, social cohesion, and identity formation. From Tetris to poker-inspired business strategies, his research spans classic titles, modern applications, and philosophical reflections on why humans play.

Notable recognition includes coordinating the successful application to include 'Brettspielkultur in Deutschland' in the national UNESCO Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage, effective March 26, 2025.

• UNESCO Immaterielles Kulturerbe recognition (2025)
• Co-founder and Chair, Förderverein Spielzeugmuseum Nürnberg e.V.
• Member, Beirat Spielen of Deutscher Verband der Spielwarenindustrie (DVSI)
• Founder, Stiftung Spielen (end of 2023)

Prof. Junge advises various cultural and educational institutions and collaborates with museums such as the Spielkartenmuseum Altenburg and Spielzeugmuseum Nürnberg. He has received no named grants in the text but leads high-impact projects like brettspiele.digital and spielen.de. He is actively involved in shaping national discourse on games through media appearances, publications, and public lectures.

He leads the International Game Museum initiative in Altenburg, housing over 82,000 board games, and is a driving force behind the Yosephinum – Erlebe die Kraft des Spielens, a €24.7 million state-funded experiential world of games set to open in 2027. His team includes researchers, curators, and developers working on digital archiving, game design, and public outreach.