Pawel Grabarczyk

Pawel Grabarczyk serves as Associate Professor at IT University of Copenhagen, leading the Play, Culture, and AI research group within the Games Research Group. He maintains dual affiliations with the Center for Computing Education Research and the Center for Digital Play, reflecting his interdisciplinary work spanning game studies and computing education.

His research interests form a unique intersection of game studies, critical theory, and computing education. Grabarczyk applies frameworks like Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and Science & Technology Studies (STS) to analyze video game design, particularly focusing on loot boxes and gambling-like mechanics. His work on gender diversity in computing education has demonstrated that programs emphasizing people rather than technical aspects appeal more to women, with significant implications for recruitment and curriculum design.

Analysis of his 41 publications reveals consistent thematic threads across his career. Early work focused on game design and critical theory, while more recent publications address sustainability in gaming through the Nordic Alliance for Sustainability in Gaming projects. His computing education research shows increasing attention to onboarding strategies for students lacking programming confidence, with practical implications for reducing dropout rates.

Grabarczyk has secured substantial research funding through multiple projects, including the European Commission-funded MSG (Making Sense of Games) project (2016-2022) and the Nordic Alliance for Sustainability in Gaming series (2021-2024). His work has generated significant media attention in Denmark, with coverage on topics ranging from addressing fake news through games to improving gender balance in the IT industry.

As Head of the Play, Culture, and AI research group, he directs a team examining how artificial intelligence intersects with play and cultural practices. His research bridges academic inquiry with practical applications, evidenced by collaborations with game developers and educators seeking to implement his findings on inclusive computing education and ethical game design.