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Research article
First published online June 20, 2013

Public Engagement Through the Development of Science-Based Computer Games: The Wellcome Trust’s “Gamify Your PhD” Initiative

Vickie CurtisView all authors and affiliations
Volume 36, Issue 3
https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547013492436

Abstract

New developments in digital technologies are enabling scientists to explore novel avenues of engagement beyond face-to-face approaches. “Gamifying” science through the creation of computer games based on scientific research is part of this trend. Recently, the Wellcome Trust held a competitive “hackfest” called “Gamify Your PhD.” Six finalists were selected to develop their research into a computer game with the help of professional games developers. I was able to observe this event with the aim of exploring the collaboration between scientists and games developers and observing how science-based computer games can be used to engage the wider public.

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Biographies

Vickie Curtis is a full-time doctoral student at the Open University in the United Kingdom. She is exploring how digital technologies are changing public engagement in the sciences, with a focus on online citizen science projects.

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Published In

Volume 36, Issue 3
Pages: 379 - 387
Article first published online: June 20, 2013
Issue published: June 2014

Keywords

  1. computer games
  2. gamify
  3. public engagement
  4. biomedical sciences
  5. hackfest

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© 2013 SAGE Publications.
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History

Published online: June 20, 2013
Issue published: June 2014

Authors

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Vickie Curtis
The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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Notes

Vickie Curtis, Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK. Email: [email protected]

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