CfP: The Bulletin of Science, Technology, & Society invites submissions for a special issue dealing with video games

As video and computer games have increased in accessibility, influence, and cultural prominence, they have had a significant impact on many facets of society, culture, and our attitudes toward technology, including entertainment, industry, play, education, identity, community, and art. At the same time they have provoked both popular and academic debate and controversy over their perceived benefits and issues. In addressing these claims and concerns, video games have become an important focus of academic work as scholars seek to better understand their impact on the people who play them and on culture and society in general.

We invite submissions to a special issue of the Bulletin of Science, Technology, & Society that further this body of work by critically engaging with video games and their implications. Video games are an ideal subject for interdisciplinary research and discussion, as they can be analysed using a variety of theoretical lenses and methodological approaches including those of social science, anthropology, technology history and technology studies, media, political economy, and the hard sciences. Therefore, this issue is open to critical perspectives on video games in culture and society from any discipline. Topics of interest include, but are not limited, to:

(details after the jump)

– the history and progression of video games

– video game industries (software and/or hardware)

– political economy and economics

– theories of play

– issues and benefits of video games

– players, audiences, and reception

– gaming cultures and communities

– avatars, digital bodies, and identity

– representations of age, race, and gender

– video games in education

– serious gaming

Interested scholars should submit an abstract of up to 500 words for consideration. Submissions should be emailed to Jennifer Martin at jmart9@uwo.ca by January 15, 2012. We aim to make decisions regarding abstract acceptance by January 22, 2012. Full papers will be due by March 1, 2012 for peer review.

Correspondence may be directed by email to jmart9@uwo.ca or by fax at 519-661-3506. Additionally, phone messages may also be left with Tim Blackmore at 519-661-2111 ext. 88513.

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