ECGBL 2025
19th European Conference on Games Based Learning
Biographies
Below are the ECGBL Biographies of the Conference and Programme Chairs, Key Note Speakers and Mini-Track Chairs.
Conference and Programme Chairs
Helga Dis Isfold Sigurdardottir is a researcher at Nord University, focusing on digital game-based learning, video games, AI, online cultures, diversity, feminist theory, gender, mental health and career development. She has been an active ECGBL participant since 2011 and currently coordinates Work Package 3 (WP3) in the Neon Young Norway project, which develops social impact games and interactive media for young people’s recovery narratives.Dr.Sigurdardottir guides digital game development students in creating these media products, ensuring high-quality and ethical outputs. Her work bridges game development and mental health, advocating for inclusive and ethical digital media. Through her research, she contributes to the intersection of technology, diversity, and mental health, fostering collaborative, socially impactful projects
Robin Isfold Munkvold is a researcher and educator at Nord University with over a decade of involvement in the European Conference on Game-Based Learning (ECGBL) network. His research over the past 10-15 years has focused on enhancing the quality of technology programs in higher education, with specific expertise in gamification, game-based learning, and user experience (UX). Dr. Munkvold is also a key contributor to the Centre for Excellent IT Education (Excited), a nationally funded center dedicated to advancing IT education, where he has served in a leadership role for eight years. In addition to his research, Dr. Munkvold holds a prominent position within Forskerforbundet (The Norwegian Association of Researchers) at Nord University, advocating for academic professionals across Norway. His work contributes significantly to educational innovation and academic advocacy, reinforcing his influence in both technology education and the broader academic community.
Keynote Speakers
Tim Laning is the CEO and co-owner of Grendel Games, an independent award winning serious game development company from Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Grendel Games has been focused on creating games that drive behavior change for almost 25 years. The company is focused on three different sectors: healthcare, sustainability and education. From turning surgery training into a fun Nintendo game to using smart meters to generate levels for an infinite runner, Tim and his company love turning education into fascination and learning into gaming. Tim is a celebrated speaker at conferences from GDC San Francisco to Indiecade LA, member of the board for the Dutch Game Garden Incubation Program and External Executive for Nord University.
Mini Track Chairs
Dr. Panagiotis Fotaris is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton, UK, specialising in Game Design, Narrative, and User Experience. His research explores the use of escape rooms, generative AI, and immersive technologies in higher education, with a focus on enhancing game-based learning. Dr. Fotaris has authored over 40 publications, with more than 1,600 citations, and has led innovative projects on cybersecurity awareness and information literacy through educational escape rooms.
Sónia Pais, PhD in Education, is an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic of Leiria. She is a researcher at CiTUR – Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation. Her research interests are in educational sphere, including how best to teach math subjects. She has interest in Mathematical Education, Educational Technology, Pedagogical Innovation and Game Based Learning.
Martin Sillaots is an associate professor of serious games and the head of the master’s programme for digital learning games at Tallinn University. Teacher of project management and project-based courses, a national coordinator of international projects and a manager of national projects. Strategic advisor of the European Parliament Role-Playing Games.
Pre-Conference Workshop Facilitators
Guido Bruinsma With a background in work- and organizational psychology Guido finished his Ph.D. at the University of Twente on a simulation model on the orchestration of complex multi-organization collaborative work. Building on his passion for research methodology, technology and human behavior Guido’s research focusses on the development and implementation process of gamebased interventions (serious games) and the development of health, performance, and data driven systems for esports performance enhancement. Guido was one of the founders of the esportslab at the University of Twente and Gamelaboost in the municipality of Enschede. Guido furthermore is involved in several startups and organizations in the field of organizational improvement, applied gaming, and esports.
Dr Panagiotis Fotaris is a Principal Lecturer at the University of Brighton where he teaches Game Design, Narrative Design, and Design Thinking. He has previously held posts at King’s College London, the University of East London, the University of West London, and Abertay University. A game-based learning evangelist with a diverse background that combines computing with applied arts, games, and music, Panagiotis focuses his research on the pedagogic potential of escape rooms and generative AI in the context of Higher education. Additionally, he contributes to the global academic community as a scientific evaluator for the European Research Executive Agency of the European Commission, assessing project proposals under the “Arts and cultural awareness and expression in education and training” theme of Horizon Europe. When not playing point-and-click adventure games, making AI-assisted indie rock songs, or producing mashups and music podcasts, Panagiotis designs educational escape rooms for cybersecurity awareness training and information literacy.