Local Organisation Committee

• Conference Chair

• Doctoral Consortium Co‑Lead (with Tom Apperly)

• Childcare Lead

• Budget & Finance Lead

Dr. Jeneen Naji is Associate Professor of Digital Media in the Department of Media Studies in Maynooth University, Ireland where she lectures on the BA Media Studies, MA in Critical Creative Media and the BSc Multimedia, Mobile & Web Development in Computer Science. Dr. Naji’s research is in the area of intersectional digital arts and culture specifically exploring the impact of the digital apparatus on poetic expression.

• University Systems Liaison

• Programme Scheduling

• ECPR Reviewer

• Irish Dancing Night Organiser

• Russell Library Tours Organiser

• Conference Co‑Chair

• ECPR Chair

• Communications Lead

Dr. John P Healy is a Lecturer in game design across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the School of Media at TU Dublin. His research explores the creative process of game development and focuses on how the practice of digital game design unfolds at the interface between computers and culture. John maintains active industry engagement as a consultant for clients from healthcare, education, and public service on the implementation of game systems. He has worked on games which have been played by millions of players worldwide.

• Visa Support Letters

• Volunteer Management Lead

• Programme Scheduling

• Conference Co‑Chair

• Exhibition Co‑Lead

Dr. Cathy Ennis is an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at Maynooth University (MU), where she teaches Machine Learning and Neural Networks and Multimedia Technology to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research focusses on perceptually guided graphics, particularly the development of realistic virtual humans, groups and crowds, and multisensory perception within virtual environments.

• University Systems Liaison (Shared)

• Programme Scheduling

Dr Darragh Lydon is a lecturer in Games Development in the Medialab, a new multidisciplinary facility based in Queen's University Belfast. His research focus is on applied games technologies, particularly focused on Serious games for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Digital Twins, Natural & Built Environment and the Humanities.

Dr. Anna Hickey-Moody Anna is a cultural studies scholar who is interested in the interface of digital and analogue in games cultures and ludic forms. She works across industry and academia, largely in relation to young people and informal education practices such as gaming, arts, media production and consumption.

Yekta is a visual designer and A PhD candidate at Maynooth University and an Assistant Lecturer at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), where she teaches Game Art and Game Design. Yekta’s research explores cultural adaptation in video game design and has led to the creation of the CultureCraft Model (CCM), a framework for ethical and creative approaches to representing culture in games. They have worked as a cultural consultant on titles such as 30 Birds and 1001 Nights and currently serve as the Diversity Officer on the International DiGRA Board

Dr. Mariana Rocha is a lecturer at the School of Computer Science at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) in Ireland, where she contributes to teaching and research on digital games. Her research work focuses on the development and testing of game-based learning, with a particular focus on games for mathematics education in primary schools. She also researches inclusive educational technologies, exploring ways to reduce barriers to participation in computer science and supporting diverse learners.

Dr. Liang (Charlie) Xu is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at Dublin City University. His research interests include Immersive Technologies (VR, XR, Games), Natural Language Processing, Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Human-Computer Interaction, AI Applications in Education and EdTech.

Dr. Maria O’Brien is Lecturer in Taxation in both the School of Law and the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway. Her research interests include tax and the creative industries. She is a board member of DiGRA Ireland and of the Cultural Policy Observatory of Ireland.

Robert is a board member of IMIRT (the Irish Game Makers Association) and currently works as a Recruitment Consultant at nineDots.io. He previously worked as a Talent Acquisition and CSR Specialist at Black Shamrock, a leading video game studio in Ireland, where he led educational outreach initiatives, building connections between academia and industry and championing diversity in the games sector.