Event Series
The Transformative Play Initiative Event Series at Uppsala University’s Department of Game Design features monthly events, including lectures and roundtables, from prominent thinkers and practitioners interested in using role-playing games as vehicles for change. The Initiative researches the ways in which games can become vehicles of change and ignite processes of transformation.
We will also hold Town Hall Meetings for group discussions and lightning talks from community members on topics pertaining to transformative play.
Recent events
- TPI Seminar 2022: Experience China’s Intangible Cultural Heritages in Role-playing Games — Yuqiao LiuThis poster presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Experience China’s Intangible Cultural Heritages in Role-playing Games — Yuqiao Liu
- TPI Seminar 2022: ‘Make It Urgent’: Prototyping Role-play Design for Intercultural Trainings — Alexandra SchreiberThis poster presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: ‘Make It Urgent’: Prototyping Role-play Design for Intercultural Trainings — Alexandra Schreiber
- TPI Seminar 2022: Learning the History of Ancient Roman Forum of Thessaloniki through Edu-Larp- Theodosiou & GkountonaThis poster presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Learning the History of Ancient Roman Forum of Thessaloniki through Edu-Larp- Theodosiou & Gkountona
- TPI Seminar 2022: Literature Surrounding the Intersection of Role-Playing Games, Race, and Identity — Marissa BakerThis poster presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Literature Surrounding the Intersection of Role-Playing Games, Race, and Identity — Marissa Baker
- TPI Seminar 2022: Fictional History Frames in an Intercultural Larp — Michael FreudenthalThis poster presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Fictional History Frames in an Intercultural Larp — Michael Freudenthal
- TPI Seminar 2022: Looking Behind the Curtain: Assessing the Invisible Work of the Magic Circle — Steven L. DashiellThis poster presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Looking Behind the Curtain: Assessing the Invisible Work of the Magic Circle — Steven L. Dashiell
- TPI Seminar 2022: Larp in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) — Lennart BartensteinThis poster presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Larp in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) — Lennart Bartenstein
- TPI Seminar 2022: Vampire Foucault: Erotic Horror Role Playing Games as a Technologies of the Self — Albert SpencerThis poster presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Vampire Foucault: Erotic Horror Role Playing Games as a Technologies of the Self — Albert Spencer
- TPI Seminar 2022: Reparative Play in Dungeons & Dragons — Giuseppe FemiaThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Reparative Play in Dungeons & Dragons — Giuseppe Femia
- TPI Seminar 2022: A Coin with Two Sides: Role-Playing Games as Symbolic Devices — Miguel Angel Bastarrachea MagnaniThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: A Coin with Two Sides: Role-Playing Games as Symbolic Devices — Miguel Angel Bastarrachea Magnani
- TPI Seminar 2022: Intentionally Designing a Game to Help Alleviate Symptoms of Depression — Pandi CunotiThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Intentionally Designing a Game to Help Alleviate Symptoms of Depression — Pandi Cunoti
- TPI Seminar 2022: How Larp Can Facilitate Cultural and Historical Understanding” — Liv Hernø-ToftildThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: How Larp Can Facilitate Cultural and Historical Understanding” — Liv Hernø-Toftild
- TPI Seminar 2022: Heritage of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in Polish Role-playing and Reenactment — Michał MochockiThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Heritage of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in Polish Role-playing and Reenactment — Michał Mochocki
- TPI Seminar 2022: Role-playing Games and Education — Josefin WestborgThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Role-playing Games and Education — Josefin Westborg
- TPI Seminar 2022: Using the Inspirisles RPG to Teach ASL and Cultural Awareness — Cullinan and OxenhamThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Using the Inspirisles RPG to Teach ASL and Cultural Awareness — Cullinan and Oxenham
- TPI Seminar 2022: Adapting Edu-larp Design for Different Learning Environments — Erik Strömberg and Karin JohanssonThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Adapting Edu-larp Design for Different Learning Environments — Erik Strömberg and Karin Johansson
- TPI Seminar 2022: Transforming Organization Culture with Aesthetic Doubling — Susi Mikael NousiainenThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Transforming Organization Culture with Aesthetic Doubling — Susi Mikael Nousiainen
- TPI Seminar 2022: Larp as Rapid Prototyping of Cultural Experiences – Karin Johansson, Paulina Rajkowska, Annika WaernThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Larp as Rapid Prototyping of Cultural Experiences – Karin Johansson, Paulina Rajkowska, Annika Waern
- TPI Seminar 2022: Playing with Wonders, Objects and Role-playing Games — Rian Rezende and Denise PortinariThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Playing with Wonders, Objects and Role-playing Games — Rian Rezende and Denise Portinari
- TPI Seminar 2022: A Conceptual Model of Bleed — Kjell Hedgard HugaasThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: A Conceptual Model of Bleed — Kjell Hedgard Hugaas
- TPI Seminar 2022: Building Gaming Worlds: The Construction of TRPG Scenes — White, Mizer and LaLoneThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Building Gaming Worlds: The Construction of TRPG Scenes — White, Mizer and LaLone
- TPI Seminar 2022: Self Arcana: A Self-Reflective, Story Based Tarot Game — Ayça Durmuş and Ege Sedef TopçuoğluThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Self Arcana: A Self-Reflective, Story Based Tarot Game — Ayça Durmuş and Ege Sedef Topçuoğlu
- TPI Seminar 2022: Playing the Belly of the Beast: Exploring Conflicting Roles for Social Change — Aditya AnupamThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Playing the Belly of the Beast: Exploring Conflicting Roles for Social Change — Aditya Anupam
- TPI Seminar 2022: Bridging Historical and Present Day Community through Embodied Role-playing — Hilda LevinThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Bridging Historical and Present Day Community through Embodied Role-playing — Hilda Levin
- TPI Seminar 2022: Exploring the Erotic in Honey & Hot Wax — Katherine Castiello JonesThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Exploring the Erotic in Honey & Hot Wax — Katherine Castiello Jones
- TPI Seminar 2022: Gaming Capital in Contemporary Online Role-playing Game Scenes — Korkeila and HarviainenThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Gaming Capital in Contemporary Online Role-playing Game Scenes — Korkeila and Harviainen
- TPI Seminar 2022: Analog Role-Playing Game Studies: A Brazilian Overview — Tadeu Rodrigues Iuama and Luiz FalcãoThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Analog Role-Playing Game Studies: A Brazilian Overview — Tadeu Rodrigues Iuama and Luiz Falcão
- TPI Seminar 2022: Anthropophagic Reflexes in Brazilian Larp Scenes — Tadeu Rodrigues IuamaThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Anthropophagic Reflexes in Brazilian Larp Scenes — Tadeu Rodrigues Iuama
- TPI Seminar 2022: RPG as Reaction Means to Humanitarian Crisis — Weronika SzatkowskaThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: RPG as Reaction Means to Humanitarian Crisis — Weronika Szatkowska
- TPI Seminar 2022: Jeppe and Maria Bergmann Hamming’s Literary-Musical Larp Adaptations — Evan TornerThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Jeppe and Maria Bergmann Hamming’s Literary-Musical Larp Adaptations — Evan Torner
- TPI Seminar 2022: Humble Materials and Transformative Play — Rebecca Rouse and Nassim ParvinThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Humble Materials and Transformative Play — Rebecca Rouse and Nassim Parvin
- TPI Seminar 2022: Methodological Musings on Larping as Research — Kaya Toft ThejlsThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Methodological Musings on Larping as Research — Kaya Toft Thejls
- TPI Seminar 2022: The Player Category Research of Murder Mystery Game — Shuo Xiong, Ruoyu Wen, Huijuan ZhengThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: The Player Category Research of Murder Mystery Game — Shuo Xiong, Ruoyu Wen, Huijuan Zheng
- TPI Seminar 2022: Walk Like an Englishman? The Cultural Experience of Walking Simulators — Felix SchnizThis presentation was delivered on October 20, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Walk Like an Englishman? The Cultural Experience of Walking Simulators — Felix Schniz
- TPI Seminar 2022: Gaming the Systems: Breaking Down RPGs — Maryanne Cullinan and Jennifer GenovaThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Gaming the Systems: Breaking Down RPGs — Maryanne Cullinan and Jennifer Genova
- TPI Seminar 2022: Larp as a Potential Space for Non-formal Queer Cultural Heritage — Josephine BairdThis presentation was delivered on October 21, 2022 at the Transformative Play Initiative Seminar 2022: Role-playing, Culture, and Heritage.… Read more: TPI Seminar 2022: Larp as a Potential Space for Non-formal Queer Cultural Heritage — Josephine Baird
- RPGs as a Leadership Practice – Joe LasleyEnjoy this third (3) of three (3) Lightning Talks from the Spring 2022 Town Hall Meeting in the Transformative… Read more: RPGs as a Leadership Practice – Joe Lasley
- Larp and Conflict Transformation – Shirin Khosropour, Charlotte Gullick, and Laila TaraghiEnjoy this second (2) of three (3) Lightning Talks from the Spring 2022 Town Hall Meeting in the Transformative… Read more: Larp and Conflict Transformation – Shirin Khosropour, Charlotte Gullick, and Laila Taraghi
- Games and Play for Intercultural Learning – Alexandra SchreiberEnjoy this first (1) of three (3) Lightning Talks from the Spring 2022 Town Hall Meeting in the Transformative… Read more: Games and Play for Intercultural Learning – Alexandra Schreiber
- To Play or Not to Play: Edu-Larp in Curricular Settings – Katrin GeneussEnjoy our next lecture in the Spring 2022 season of the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “To Play or… Read more: To Play or Not to Play: Edu-Larp in Curricular Settings – Katrin Geneuss
- Journey into Fear: Horror as a Vehicle for Healing and Transformative Play – Yeonsoo Julian KimEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Journey into Fear: Horror as a Vehicle for… Read more: Journey into Fear: Horror as a Vehicle for Healing and Transformative Play – Yeonsoo Julian Kim
- Beyond the Couch: Psychotherapy and Live Action Role-playing – Elektra DiakolambrianouEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Beyond the Couch: Psychotherapy and Live Action Role-playing”… Read more: Beyond the Couch: Psychotherapy and Live Action Role-playing – Elektra Diakolambrianou
- Innovating for Growth: Designing a Culture of Safety in Games – John StavropoulosEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series:“Innovating for Growth: Designing a Culture of Safety in… Read more: Innovating for Growth: Designing a Culture of Safety in Games – John Stavropoulos
- Designing Intensity: A Case Study of an Extraordinary 24h Scenario Session – Lauri LukkaEnjoy our next lecture in the Spring 2022 season of the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Designing Intensity: A… Read more: Designing Intensity: A Case Study of an Extraordinary 24h Scenario Session – Lauri Lukka
- Introduction to Transformative Game Design – Sarah Lynne BowmanThis lecture by Sarah Lynne Bowman gives an introduction to transformative role-playing games (RPGs). Bowman establishes definitions and distinctions… Read more: Introduction to Transformative Game Design – Sarah Lynne Bowman
- Designing for Queer Erotic Adventures – Hanne GrasmoEnjoy this one (1) of three (3) Lightning Talks from the Fall 2021 Town Hall Meeting in the Transformative… Read more: Designing for Queer Erotic Adventures – Hanne Grasmo
- Career Design through Serious Play – Magdalene LohEnjoy this one (1) of three (3) Lightning Talks from the Fall 2021 Town Hall Meeting in the Transformative… Read more: Career Design through Serious Play – Magdalene Loh
- Transformative Play Initiative Roundtable Fall 2021 – Beltrán, Koljonen, Leonard, Stenros, & TurnerEnjoy our Fall 2021 roundtable in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series! This roundtable features a discussion on the… Read more: Transformative Play Initiative Roundtable Fall 2021 – Beltrán, Koljonen, Leonard, Stenros, & Turner
- Disrupting Monkey, Laughing Raven: The Magic of the Tricksters’ Dance – Allen TurnerEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Disrupting Monkey, Laughing Raven: The Magic of the… Read more: Disrupting Monkey, Laughing Raven: The Magic of the Tricksters’ Dance – Allen Turner
- Why Do Humans Play? Exploring the Functions, Benefits, and Meanings of (Dark) Play – Jaakko StenrosEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Why Do Humans Play? Exploring the Functions, Benefits,… Read more: Why Do Humans Play? Exploring the Functions, Benefits, and Meanings of (Dark) Play – Jaakko Stenros
- Playing for Pain: Benefits, Pitfalls, & Strategies for RPing Marginalized Characters – Diana LeonardEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Playing for Pain: Benefits, Pitfalls, & Strategies for… Read more: Playing for Pain: Benefits, Pitfalls, & Strategies for RPing Marginalized Characters – Diana Leonard
- Personal & the Political: Playing & Designing for Transformation in Nordic Larp – Johanna KoljonenEnjoy our next lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “The Personal and the Political: Playing and Designing… Read more: Personal & the Political: Playing & Designing for Transformation in Nordic Larp – Johanna Koljonen
- Everything is the Self: Designing Character Ensembles for Player Catharsis — Whitney BeltránEnjoy our first lecture in the Transformative Play Initiative Event Series: “Everything is the Self: Designing Character Ensembles for… Read more: Everything is the Self: Designing Character Ensembles for Player Catharsis — Whitney Beltrán
- Introduction to the Transformative Play InitiativeThe Transformative Play Initiative Event Series consists of lectures, workshops, roundtable discussions, and open invitation town hall events. These… Read more: Introduction to the Transformative Play Initiative