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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Call for Participation- The Practices and Politics of Inclusivity in Games<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A co-hosted workshop of the <a href="http://www.meccsa.org.uk/networks/womens-media-studies-network/">
MeCCSa Women’s Media Studies Network</a> and the <a href="http://www.refig.ca/">ReFIG partnership</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Hosted by the Department of Media and Communication, University of Leicester, as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-CA">September 15, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Academic and market research over the last decade has shown that audiences of women and girls for digital games has increased in tandem with the expansion of this major global media industry. Despite their presence and
contributions, as not only players but also designers, writers, community managers, critics, and journalists, women’s participation in digital games culture has been characterized by often polemical and sexist discourse and action from those who deem their
practices less legitimate, authentic, and worthy. In response, an array of inclusivity practices within digital games culture, often spearheaded by women, trans people, disabled people, and people of colour, have demonstrated that taking part in digital games
is both playful and political. Through these practices, they have transformed the culture of this media form.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">This workshop aims to highlight these diverse practices and their politics with a focus on showcasing cutting-edge research innovating on theory and methods, from a range of perspectives including play, production, journalism,
criticism and beyond. It will feature three speakers undertaking research and activism in this domain:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Helen Kennedy (University of Brighton)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Phoenix Perry (Goldsmiths, University of London)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Siobhan Thomas (London South Bank University).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The event will also feature selected talks by graduate students in the area. Please submit an abstract of 250-300 words including your paper title, a brief summary of its topic and methods, and your affiliation. Bursaries
are available to support the travel costs of students if accepted. Send all abstracts to Dr Alison Harvey at
<a href="mailto:ah463@le.ac.uk">ah463@le.ac.uk</a> by<b> June 15, 2016.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">This event will be held at the University of Leicester, Bankfield House Seminar Room, on Thursday, September 15, 2016. Lunch and refreshments will be served, and the event is free though registration is required as space
is limited. Please register by emailing Dr Alison Harvey at <a href="mailto:ah463@le.ac.uk">
ah463@le.ac.uk</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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