Laura Crawford

Laura Crawford is a Lecturer in Games and Interactivity at Swinburne University of Technology, School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. She also holds an adjunct researcher position in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Tasmania and serves as a funding consultant to Creative Victoria. Her interdisciplinary work bridges game design, media theory, and psychological aspects of player engagement.

Her research interests include the psychology of attraction to screen violence, player memory, serious games, and critical media theory. She is deeply involved in the Australian games community, frequently speaking at national and international conferences and facilitating discussions on violence in games, independent game design, and social issues in the industry.

The publications reflect a strong focus on game policy, moral engagement, media ethics, and the cultural dimensions of gaming. Key themes include video game classification, epistemology of player experience, and the societal impact of game narratives. Her work spans academic chapters, journal articles, and public media engagement, demonstrating a commitment to both scholarly and public discourse.

• MCV Pacific Top 100 Influential Women in Games (2016)
• MCV Pacific Top 75 Influential Women in Games (2015)
• Australian Postgraduate Award (2010)
• Lifetime member, Golden Key International Honours Society (2007)

Laura is actively involved in professional service, including committee membership in the Digital Games Research Association (Australian chapter). She is not currently available for student supervision. Her teaching includes undergraduate courses in game design and postgraduate critical media theory. She contributes significantly to public understanding of games through media appearances and public talks.