Jonathan Walton

Jonathan Walton is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), where he has taught since 2022. He brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective combining 20+ years of indie game design experience with deep expertise in Chinese language, culture, and policy analysis. His academic appointment spans University Libraries, IDeATe, and the Sustainability Initiative, reflecting his broad interdisciplinary approach.

• PhD Candidate (ABD), Communication, UC San Diego (2014-present)
• MA, Communication, UC San Diego (2017)
• MA, International Studies (China), University of Washington (2011)
• BA, East Asian Studies (Chinese), Oberlin College (2004)
• Fulbright Fellow, Nanjing (2004-2005)
• Associated Colleges in China Program, Beijing (2001-2002)

Walton's research bridges game design, science & technology studies, and transpacific cultural exchange. His work focuses on hands-on, play-based learning in science centers and museums, examining how 'edutainment' institutions engage visitors with STEM topics and design thinking. He explores the intersection of traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary game design, particularly through his work with ancient Chinese oracle bones at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. His dissertation research at UC San Diego, tentatively titled 'Game for Anything: Becoming Citizens in Broken Science Arcades,' investigates how interactive experiences foster civic engagement.

Walton's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent pattern of exploring the political, social, and cultural dimensions of games. His publications span game studies, Chinese politics, and religious movements, with recent work focusing on Dungeons & Dragons' evolution, ocean conservation through game design, and historical narratives in role-playing games. His interdisciplinary approach connects game mechanics with broader societal issues like environmental ethics, political injustice, and cross-cultural understanding.

• Wimmer Fellow, CMU Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation (2023-24)
• Honorable Mention, Golden Cobra Challenge, Miles Below Midnight (2022)
• Game We're Most Excited About, Golden Cobra Challenge, Personal Testimony of the Last Kings of Heaven (2021)
• Best Adaptation, 1924 Public Domain Jam, The Hounds Follow All Things Down (2020)

Walton actively mentors students through ETC Project Courses, supervising work on Asian & transpacific cultures, science & technology, and retro & analog games. He secured the CMU Dietrich College Seed Grant (2024-present) for research & teaching on the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's collection of ancient Chinese oracle bones. His teaching approach emphasizes experiential learning, with students developing projects that address meaningful social issues while mastering technical and creative skills across digital and physical platforms.

Walton is developing the Pacific Gyre research & design lab at the intersection of game design, science & technology studies, and transpacific cultures. This emerging lab builds on his longstanding work in indie RPGs and his expertise in Chinese language and culture, creating innovative approaches to cross-cultural understanding through interactive media. The lab will support collaborative projects exploring connections between Eastern and Western approaches to interactive experiences, with applications in education, cultural preservation, and social change.