Professor Ulla Richardson (University of Jyväskylä)
Title of the keynote: Bubbling Up: The Making of Evidence-Based Learning Game Lukukupla to Support Reading Skill Development
(Photo by Petteri Kivimäki)
I am a professor of technology-enhanced language learning at the Centre for Applied Language Studies at the University of Jyväskylä. I am UNESCO Chair for Inclusive Literacy Learning for All and lead the multidisciplinary GraphoLearn/Ekapeli research and development team.
My research is focused on skill development in reading and writing across different languages and orthographies, dyslexia, speech processing, and evidence-based technology in language learning. Our GraphoLearn team has developed the evidence based GraphoLearn digital learning environment (info.GraphoLearn.com) for 30 languages to support learners to develop their reading and spelling skills. Our latest R&D product is the extensive, engaging, and individually adaptive game Lukukupla.
Dr. Annakaisa Kultima (Aalto University)
Title of the keynote: Praxiological Criticality in Game Studies
Dr. Annakaisa Kultima is a Senior University Lecturer at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, where she also serves as the Head of Programme at Aalto for the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Programme in Game Design, REPLAY. She has been teaching and researching game design and game development since 2006 and has published extensively on game development, creativity, game industry trends, and game jams. Her research is centred on game design praxiology, the study of games through the practices of their creation. At Aalto University, she leads the Game Design Praxiology Group. Dr. Kultima is a longstanding member of international research communities, including DiGRA, FDG, and ICGJ, and an active contributor to the game ecosystem in Finland and internationally. She has served in editorial, conference organization, reviewing, and chairing roles, presented at academic and industry conferences including GDC, and is a co-founder of Finnish Game Jam, a founding member of the Finnish Museum of Games, and the founder of Kumma Gallery, an exhibition space dedicated to playful and playable art.
Game Research Days comes to Jyväskylä on 3–4 November, running over two days for the first time. More than 30 talks from universities and universities of applied sciences across Finland will map what game research looks like in Finland right now. Programme and registration coming soon. See you in Jyväskylä!
