معرفی
Dr. Stefan Werning is an Associate Professor of Digital Media and Game Studies at Utrecht University, affiliated with the Department of Media and Cultural Studies within the Faculty of Humanities. He co-coordinates the Game Research focus area and leads the Utrecht Game Lab, which explores analytical game design as a research method. His work involves developing game prototypes for educational and external partnerships, such as with the Liszt Museum and Beeld en Geluid. Werning holds a PhD in Media Studies from the University of Bonn (2010) and a venia legendi from the University of Bayreuth (2015). He has also served as a visiting researcher at MIT's Comparative Media Studies program and previously worked in the games industry at Codemasters and Nintendo of Europe.
His research focuses on game design as a cultural technique, eco-modding, and the intersection of digital media with sustainability. Key publications include Making Games: The Poetics and Politics of Game Creation Tools (MIT Press, 2021) and articles on discursive game design, data literacy through games, and media distribution platforms. Werning organizes interdisciplinary initiatives like the annual Multidisciplinary Game Research summer school and the Ecogames symposium, emphasizing playful approaches to complex societal issues.
- Education: North American Studies (undergraduate), PhD in Media Studies (University of Bonn), venia legendi (Bayreuth).
- Grants/Activities: Organized Spationomy 2.0 Winter School (2021), Ecogames Symposium (2021), and numerous international conferences. Hosted visiting scholars and led research collaborations.
His work bridges academia and practice, advocating for games as tools for civic engagement and critical inquiry into digital culture. The Utrecht Game Lab’s projects highlight innovative applications of game design in education, sustainability, and historical analysis.
