DAY 1: Remote working, pastoral care and hard-to-hire skills
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Thursday 21st April 2022
0945-1030: Registration and tea/coffee
1030-1035: Welcome from the Chair, Rick Gibson, CEO, BGI
1035-1050: Keynote: James Butcher, Epic Games
1055-1140: The Great Debate
Senior games educators and studios discuss the biggest challenges facing games education and recruitment.
Chair: Rick Gibson, BGI
Ian Goodall – Aardvark Swift
Aurore Dimopoulos, Unity
James Butcher, Epic Games
Peter Howell, Portsmouth Uiversity
1140-1225: Remote working
Studios and educators look at how working and learning have changed post-pandemic, including flexible and remote working/learning, 4 days weeks and what challenges and opportunities this has created.
Chair: Liz Prince – Amiqus
Jess Gaskell, Media Molecule
Jayne Morgan, Exient
Brian MacDonald, Falmouth University
Chris Windmill, University of Derby
James Tatum, Bulkhead
1225-1325: Lunch break and networking
1325-1345: Keynote: Gina Jackson OBE, GameDev Bootcamps
1345-1430: Games, mental health and wellbeing
How the changing views of games and wellbeing are having a positive impact on players whilst the mental health of those in the industry seemingly continues to suffer.
Chair: Gina Jackson OBE, Game Dev Bootcamps
Rosie Taylor, Safe in our World
Victoria Zamperoni, Mental Health Foundation
Maria Stukoff, University of Salford
Leah Dungay, National Videogame Museum
1430-1515: Hard-To-Hire Jobs – The Skills Shortage Hot Spots
What are the skills most in demand from games companies and how are educators catering to record levels of hiring in the games sector? Studios and educators discuss the toughest areas of recruitment and suggest some solutions.
Chair: Ian Goodall, Aardvark Swift
Tamsin O’Luanaigh, nDreams
Finlay Peraston, Abertay University
Matt Wilson, Cloud Imperium
1515-1600: Workshops
Delegates break into teams to debate key challenges and opportunities for studios and educators.
1600-1645: Workshop Results
Teams share, debate and prioritise their discussions on key challenges and opportunities.
Workshop moderator: Philip Oliver, PANIVOX
1645: Closing words from the Chair
1700-1900: Networking event and Grads in Games Awards at the National Videogame Museum
1900 onwards: Evening meal at Kommune
DAY 2: PATHWAYS TOWARDS GAMES CAREERS
Friday 22nd April 2022
0900-0930: Registration & Coffee
0930-0935: welcome from the Chair, Rick Gibson, CEO, BGI
0935-0955: Keynote: Aurore Dimopoulos – Unity
0955-1040: Filling Your Bag With Loot
A Fireside Chat between Marcia Deakin, Next Gen Skills Academy, and Karen Hedger, AIM Group, on how students can acquire knowledge, skills and training on their quest for a Golden Career
1040-1100: Keynote, Dr Doug Brown & Dr Michael Scott, Falmouth University
1100-1145: A Time Well Spent
Top tips from students on getting the most out of University.
Chair: Charlie Hargood, Bournemouth University
Paul Brown, Bournemouth University
Kimera Anderson, Bournemouth University
Dominic McCollum, Sheffield Hallam
Tom Hoare, Sheffield Hallam
1145-1245: Lunch and networking
1245-1330: A Foot In the Door
A spotlight on how young professionals landed their first jobs in games, plus advice on pathways.
Chair: Rick Gibson, BGI
Shivani Rambaran, Kuato Studios
Molly Johnston, Into Games
Andrew Patton, D3T
Shomair Hanuk, Stellar Entertainment
1330-1415: Everyone Welcome!
What the games sector is doing to make the industry safe and welcoming to all.
Chair: Leon Killin, Sumo Digital
Dom Shaw, Ukie
Liz Wright, No More Robots
Mikalyla Sinead, Bridge Network Group
1415-1500: Summit Wrap
An open discussion between panellists and delegates about the Summit’s conclusions, and suggestions for 2023
Chair: Rick Gibson, BGI
Aurore Dimopoulos, Unity
Matt Wilson, Cloud Imperium
Jacob Habgood, Sumo
James Butcher, Epic Games
Marcia Deakin, NextGen Skills Academy
1505: Thanks from the Chair
1510: Summit close
1600: Search for a Star awards at the National Videogame Museum