Digital Games Erasmus+ ICM academic staff mobility at Ritsumeikan University

Prof. Gordon Calleja visited Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto for an Erasmus+ Staff Exchange.

The Institute of Digital Games has completed several mobilities to Ritsumeikan along with visiting conferences with faculty moving in both directions.

Prof. Calleja describes the relationship between the two institutions as "truly blossoming". During his visit to Ritsumeikan Prof. Calleja was asked to do a deep dive with their game-focused PhD students.

The doctoral candidates presented their thesis work and, during a full-day seminar, addressed specific questions regarding aspects of their research where they were encountering difficulties. Prof. Calleja delivered a series of short, condensed lectures on common research areas that posed challenges for them, while also providing general guidance on PhD research and practice.

Prof. Calleja also gave talks on Immersive Theatre and Game Design to the faculty and postgraduate students that went more into his recent research and design work, which created strong interest given the lack of theoretical work, particularly in Japan, on immersive theatre.

Prof. Calleja left Japan warmed by the conversations with students and faculty and with a better understanding of how PhD work is organised in Japan. He also made new connections he looks forward to visiting again on his next mobility.

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