We invite you to contribute to a three-day Game Studies conference held on Wednesday 5th, Thursday the 6th, and Friday the 7th of February, 2025, at the University of South Australia, City West Campus, in Adelaide, South Australia. Registration is free. 

Important dates

Friday 11 October 2024 – Submission deadline
Monday 4th November 2024 (approximately) – Notification of submission outcomes
Wednesday to Friday 5-7 February 2025 – Conference 

Details

The DiGRA Australia 2025 National Conference is an opportunity for games researchers, critics, designers, developers and artists at any career stages to share their work. We aim to provide an inclusive forum that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Game Studies in Australia, and that allows interdisciplinary dialogues to critically engage with games, players and the culture that surrounds them. 

DiGRA Australia 2025 will be hosted at the University of South Australia’s City West Campus in Adelaide, Australia. It will run as a hybrid conference, allowing both online and in-person attendance and presentations.  

This year’s conference theme is “Communities of Practice and Play”. We want to hear about the latest research in the game studies community. We welcome submissions describing research and/or creative projects that are completed or still underway. Tell us about that idea you’ve been turning over in your mind that you’d like to test out in front of an audience!

For the first time, we also welcome experimental project submissions to a new Experimental Track. The Experimental Track accepts games, playful experiences, and interactive installations in an expansive scope,  including game demos, websites, posters, live performances, board games, escape rooms, and anything that can be interacted with in an exhibition space.

Submission process

Extended abstracts 

This is the standard format for submissions to the DiGRAA conference. Extended abstracts of a maximum 800 words (excluding references) using the DiGRA Australia Template. Submissions do not have to be anonymised. Submissions will be reviewed by the DiGRA Australia programming committee.

Accepted Extended Abstracts will be presented at the conference as either a 10- or 15-minute talk (pending on ultimate number of accepted papers). In-person presenters will present live, and online presenters will be requested to provide a pre-recorded video to minimise technical issues. All presenters, in-person and online, are expected to be present in their session for a live Q&A.

Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRA Australia website. Video presentations will be published on a dedicated YouTube channel (subject to permission). Aligning with DiGRAA social media policy, you will have the option not to have your video archived.

Extended abstracts are to be submitted via Google Form at this link.

Experimental works

In 2025, for the first time, DIGRA Australia will also be trialling a new submission format made with non-traditional research outputs (NTROs) in mind, specifically for those wishing to exhibit and present an experimental work at the conference. The Experimental Track exhibition will be programmed as part of the conference and is aimed at including industry and creative practitioners at DiGRA Australia. Conference attendees will have opportunities to mingle in the exhibition space and discuss the works.

Submissions to the Experimental Track include a description of the work and a research statement using the DiGRA Australia Experimental Track Template. Submissions do not have to be anonymised. Experimental submissions containing software must be able to run standalone or on a browser. Experimental submissions will be reviewed by the Experimental track programming committee (TBC).

Accepted works into the Experimental Track will be presented at the conference as a 5-minute lightning talk. Accepted works will be archived on the DiGRAA website. Presentation requirements, recording, and social media policy is the same as above.

Experimental works are to be submitted via Google Form at this link.

Submission rules

To ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to present their work, only one submission may be made per lead author, per submission type, and individuals may present only one paper per submission type during the conference. There is no limit on secondary authorship. 

To present at DiGRAA 2025 you will need to be a member of DiGRA Australia. Membership is optional for non-presenting authors. You do not need to be a member at the time of submission, only at the time of the conference. You do not need to be a member of DiGRA International.

DiGRA Australia conferences have a ‘grey list’ policy for accepted submissions that are withdrawn with no reason provided, or for which the presenter simply does not attend. Please familiarise yourself with the specifics of this policy here. 

Tips for authors 

We advise potential authors to review the papers from previous DiGRA Australia conferences as a guide to the expected tone and quality. Some further tips: 

• We welcome submissions that explore both in-progress and complete works, but they should represent novel scholarship. If the submission resembles previously published work, we recommend the author explicitly identify the additional contribution of their DiGRA Australia submission. 
• Papers can present any kind of research, analysis or commentary, but should be written so that the importance of the work can be understood by reviewers working in different disciplines or using different approaches. 
• We recommend that submissions articulate the issue or research question to be discussed, the methodological or critical framework used, the findings or conclusions to be presented, and/or the relevance to the wider game studies discipline. 

Submissions from academics are typically expected to have references to reflect the author’s engagement with existing scholarship. 

Abstract writing information session: Dr Jacqueline Burgess, an experienced conference abstract peer-reviewer, regular DiGRAA presenter and a member of the Executive, will facilitate an information session that will provide some tips and hints for writing and structuring your DiGRAA 2025 abstract and an introduction to DiGRAA for new attendees. There will also be time for questions. The session ran September 23rd 1pm-2pm QLD time. The recording is available to watch here.

Conference organising committee

Associate Professor Erik Champion, University of South Australia (Conference Co-Chair)
Dr Susie Emery, University of South Australia (Conference Co-Chair)
Sophia Booij, University of South Australia
George Martin, University of South Australia
Associate Professor G Stewart Von Itzstein, University of South Australia
Louise Trudgett-Klose, University of South Australia
Dr Sarven McLinton, University of South Australia
Corey McKechnie-Martin, University of South Australia 
Dr Douglas Kelly, University of South Australia
Dr Lauren Woolbright, Flinders University
Shane Bevin, Flinders University
Dr Xavier Ho, Monash University
Dr James Manning, RMIT University
Jesus Cuauhtemoc Moreno Ramos, Serenade Games
Ashlee Borgkvist, University of South Australia
Josh McLean, University of South Australia
Steve Cook, University of Adelaide

We invite you to contribute to a three-day Game Studies conference held on Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, and Wednesday 14th of February, 2024, at The University of Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. Registration is free. 

Important dates 

3 November 2023 – Submission deadline (extended from 27 October 2023)
24 November 2023 – Notification of submission outcomes
12–14 February 2024 – Conference 

Details 

The DiGRA Australia 2024 National Conference is an opportunity for academic and non-academic games researchers, critics, designers, developers and artists to share their work. We aim to provide an inclusive forum that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Game Studies in Australia, and that allows newcomers and veterans alike to meet other people who are critically engaged with games, players and the culture that surrounds them. 

2024 marks ten years since the founding of DiGRA Australia and our first event – a one day symposium, “What is Game Studies in Australia?”. While there is no theme for this year’s conference, we still want to hear about whatever you in the Australian Game Studies community have been working on. We welcome submissions describing research projects that are completed or still underway. We also welcome contributions from industry members. Tell us about that idea you’ve been turning over in your mind that you’d like to test out in front of an audience. 

DiGRAA 2024 will be hosted at University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus in Melbourne, Australia. It will run as a hybrid conference, allowing both online and in-person attendance (including online presentations).  

Submission process 

Submissions will be based on Extended Abstracts of 400-800 words. Instructions on how and where to submit Extended Abstracts will be circulated before the submission deadline. 

All submissions will be reviewed by members of the organising committee and the program committee which is chaired by Dr Melissa Rogerson. Submissions do not need to be anonymous. 

Extended Abstract submissions 

This is the standard format for submissions to the DiGRAA conference. Between 400 and 800 words (excluding references) using the DiGRAA template. Accepted Extended Abstracts will be presented at the conference as a 10-minute talk (live or pre-recorded video) followed by a live group question time. Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRAA website. 

Submission rules 

To ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to present their work, only one submission may be made per lead author, and individuals may present only one paper during the conference. There is no limit on secondary authorship. 

To present at DiGRAA 2024 you will need to be a member of DiGRA Australia. Membership is optional for non-presenting authors. You do not need to be a member at the time of submission, only at the time of the conference. You do not need to be a member of DiGRA International.

Please note that as of July 2022, membership for those in full-time work with at least 12 months remaining on their contract will cost $50/year. Membership is free for all others (including students, sessional academics, etc.). Membership registration processes are currently being developed and will be available in time for conference registration. 

The DiGRA Australia conference has a ‘grey list’ policy for accepted submissions that are withdrawn with no reason provided, or for which the presenter simply does not attend. Please familiarise yourself with the specifics of this policy here. 

UPDATE: All submissions are to be made via this Google Form https://forms.gle/wR73FwzB6QvqoeMP9

Publication 

Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRAA website. Video presentations (subject to permission) will be published on a dedicated YouTube channel. Aligning with DiGRAA social media policy, you will have the option not to have your video archived. 

Tips for authors 

We advise potential authors to review the papers from previous DiGRA Australia conferences as a guide to the expected tone and quality. Some further tips: 

• We welcome submissions that explore both in-progress and complete works, but they should represent novel (unpublished) scholarship. If the submission resembles previously published work, we recommend the author explicitly identify the additional contribution of their DiGRA Australia submission. 
• Papers can present any kind of research, analysis or commentary, but should be written so that the importance of the work can be understood by reviewers working in different disciplines or using different approaches. 
• We recommend that submissions articulate the issue or research question to be discussed, the methodological or critical framework used, the findings or conclusions to be presented, and/or the relevance to the wider game studies discipline. 
• Submissions from academics are typically expected to have references to reflect the author’s engagement with existing scholarship. 

Conference Organising Committee 

Dr Mahli-Ann Butt, University of Melbourne (Conference Co-Chair)
Dr Lucy Sparrow, University of Melbourne (Conference Co-Chair)
Dr Melissa Rogerson, University of Melbourne (Program Chair)
Nellie Seale, University of Melbourne (Social Program Officer)
Matthew Sidji, University of Melbourne (Hybrid & Tech Officer)
Madeleine Antonellos, University of Melbourne (Diversity & Accessibility Officer)
Brian McKitrick, University of Melbourne
Timothy Williams, University of Melbourne
Dorsa Kafili, University of Melbourne
Rory Manning Graham, University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Eddie Paterson, University of Melbourne
Professor Martin Gibbs, University of Melbourne

Any queries about the conference can be directed to Mahli-Ann Butt: mahliann.butt@unimelb.edu.au 

We invite you to contribute to a two-day game studies conference to be held on the 6th and 7th of February, at Macquarie University. Registration is free. 

Important dates 

    1 November 2022 – Submission deadline 

    6 December 2022 – Notification of submission outcomes 

    6–7 February 2023 – Conference 

Details 

The DiGRA Australia 2023 National Conference is an opportunity for academic and non-academic games researchers, critics, designers, developers and artists to share their work. We aim to provide an inclusive forum that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of game studies in Australia, and that allows newcomers and veterans alike to meet other people who are critically engaged with games, players and the culture that surrounds them. 

There is no theme for this year’s conference—we want to hear about whatever you in the Australian game studies community have been working on. We welcome submissions describing research projects that are completed or still underway. We also welcome contributions from industry members. Tell us about that idea you’ve been turning over in your mind that you’d like to test out in front of an audience. 

DiGRAA 2023 will be hosted at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus in Sydney. It will run as a hybrid conference, allowing both online and in-person attendance (including online presentations).  

Submission process 

Submissions will be based on Extended Abstracts of 400-800 words. All submissions are to be made via EasyChair. 

All submissions will be reviewed by the organising committee. Submissions do not need to be anonymous. 

Extended Abstract submissions 

This is the standard format for submissions to the DiGRAA conference. Between 400 and 800 words (excluding references) onusing the DiGRAA template. Accepted Extended Abstracts will be presented at the conference as a 10-minute talk (live or pre-recorded video) followed by a live group question time. Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRAA website. 

Submission rules 

To ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to present their work, only one submission may be made per lead author, and individuals may present only one paper during the conference. There is no limit on secondary authorship. 

To present at DiGRAA 2023 you will need to be a member of DiGRA Australia. Membership is optional for non-presenting authors. You do not need to be a member at the time of submission, only at the time of the conference.  You do not need to be a member of DiGRA International.

Please note that as of July 2022, membership for those in full-time work with at least 12 months remaining on their contract will cost $50/year. Membership is free for all others (including students, sessional academics, etc.). Membership registration processes are currently being developed and will be available in time for conference registration. 

The DiGRA Australia conference has a ‘grey list’ policy for accepted submissions that are withdrawn with no reason provided, or for which the presenter simply does not attend. Please familiarise yourself with the specifics of this policy here. 

Publication 

Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRAA website. Video presentations (subject to permission) will be published on a dedicated YouTube channel. Aligning with DiGRAA social media policy, you will have the option not to have your video archived. 

Tips for authors 

We advise potential authors to review the papers from previous DiGRA Australia conferences as a guide to the expected tone and quality. Some further tips: 

• We welcome submissions that explore both in-progress and complete works, but they should represent novel (unpublished) scholarship. If the submission resembles previously published work, we recommend the author explicitly identify the additional contribution of their DiGRA Australia submission. 
• Papers can present any kind of research, analysis or commentary, but should be written so that the importance of the work can be understood by reviewers working in different disciplines or using different approaches. 
• We recommend that submissions articulate the issue or research question to be discussed, the methodological or critical framework used, the findings or conclusions to be presented, and/or the relevance to the wider game studies discipline. 
• Submissions from academics are typically expected to have references to reflect the author’s engagement with existing scholarship. 

Conference Organising Committee 

Malcolm Ryan, Macquarie University (Chair) 
Mitchell McEwan, Macquarie University 
Cameron Edmond, Macquarie University 
Kayson Whitehouse, Macquarie University 
Mark R Johnson, University of Sydney 
Mahli-Ann Butt, University of Sydney 

Any queries about the conference can be directed to Malcolm Ryan: malcolm.ryan@mq.edu.au. 

DiGRA Australia 2022 National Conference – Call For Papers

We invite you to contribute to a two-day game studies conference to be held on the 14th and 15th of February, fully online. Registration is free.

Important dates

• 1 November 2021 – Submission deadline
• 6 December 2021 – Notification of submission outcomes
• 14–15 February 2022 – Online conference

Details

The DiGRA Australia 2022 National Conference is an opportunity for academic and non-academic games researchers, critics, designers, developers and artists to share their work. We aim to provide an inclusive forum that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of game studies in Australia, and that allows newcomers and veterans alike to meet other people who are critically engaged with games, players and the culture that surrounds them.

There is no theme for this year’s conference—we want to hear about whatever you in the Australian game studies community have been working on. We welcome submissions describing research projects that are completed or still underway. Tell us about that idea you’ve been turning over in your mind that you’d like to test out in front of an audience.

Following the success of 2021’s online conference, DiGRAA 2022 will once again be held fully online via Zoom and Discord, with a variety of playful social events and opportunities to chat with other attendees.

Submission process

There are two options for submitting to DiGRAA 2022: Extended Abstract or Short Abstract. All submissions are to be made via EasyChair at this link.

All submissions will be reviewed by the organising committee. Submissions do not need to be anonymous.

Extended Abstract submissions

This is the standard format for submissions to the DiGRAA conference. Between 400 and 800 words (excluding references) on the DiGRAA template. Accepted Extended Abstracts will be presented at the conference as a 10-minute pre-recorded video followed by a live group question time. Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRAA website.

Short Abstract submissions

This is a format to tell us about your research in brief. What are you working on? What has you stumped? Between 100 and 200 words on the DiGRAA template or in plain text. Accepted Short Abstracts will be presented at the conference as a 5-minute pre-recorded video followed by a live group question time. Accepted Short Abstracts will not be archived on the DiGRAA website.

Submission rules

To ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to present their work, only one submission may be made per lead author, and individuals may present only one paper during the conference. There is no limit on secondary authorship.

The DiGRA Australia conference has a ‘grey list’ policy for accepted submissions that are withdrawn with no reason provided, or for which the presenter simply does not attend. Please familiarise yourself with the specifics of this policy here.

Publication

Accepted Extended Abstracts will be archived on the DiGRAA website. Video presentations (subject to permission) will be published on a dedicated YouTube channel. Aligning with DiGRAA social media policy, you will have the option not to have your video archived.

Tips for authors

We advise potential authors to review the papers from previous DiGRA Australia conferences [see here] as a guide to the expected tone and quality. Some further tips:

• We welcome submissions that explore both in-progress and complete works, but they should represent novel (unpublished) scholarship. If the submission resembles previously published work, we recommend the author explicitly identify the additional contribution of their DiGRA Australia submission.
• Papers can present any kind of research, analysis or commentary, but should be written so that the importance of the work can be understood by reviewers working in different disciplines or using different approaches.
• We recommend that submissions articulate the issue or research question to be discussed, the methodological or critical framework used, the findings or conclusions to be presented, and/or the relevance to the wider game studies discipline.
• Submissions from academics are typically expected to have references to reflect the author’s engagement with existing scholarship.

Conference Organising Committee

Jane Mavoa, University of Melbourne
Fraser Allison, University of Melbourne
Madeleine Antonellos, University of Melbourne
Premeet Sidhu, University of Sydney
Harriet Flitcroft, University of Sydney
Brendan Keogh, Queensland University of Technology
Erin Maclean, Griffith University
Gawain Lucian Lax, Monash University