Paul Coulton
@proftriviality.bsky.social
Professor of Speculative and Game Design at Lancaster University 🏴
Gutted to hear of death of Mani as the memory of his base booming out over Spike Island still gives me goosebumps
November 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Gutted to hear of death of Mani as the memory of his base booming out over Spike Island still gives me goosebumps
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Are you a UK or Ireland-based designer looking to get started in the industry? Penguin UK has launched its cover design awards and this year, the focus is fantasy – and one of the two titles is Terry Pratchett's Night Watch. More details:
terrypratchett.com/news/calling...
terrypratchett.com/news/calling...
Calling all designers! Create your own version of a classic Discworld cover... | Terry Pratchett
Penguin UK has launched its annual cover design award contest where all UK and Ireland-based designers can submit their own designs for two classic Penguin titles. This year’s focus is fantasy and the...
terrypratchett.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Are you a UK or Ireland-based designer looking to get started in the industry? Penguin UK has launched its cover design awards and this year, the focus is fantasy – and one of the two titles is Terry Pratchett's Night Watch. More details:
terrypratchett.com/news/calling...
terrypratchett.com/news/calling...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
🍃 Are you a interested in a PhD in NetZero Futures?
The NetZero Futures Doctoral Landscape are offering fully funded EPSRC studentships for Royal College of Art PhD students starting in September 2026 and September 2027.
How to apply ➡️ www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-...
The NetZero Futures Doctoral Landscape are offering fully funded EPSRC studentships for Royal College of Art PhD students starting in September 2026 and September 2027.
How to apply ➡️ www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-...
Fully Funded Doctoral Landscape Studentship: NetZero Futures
NetZero Futures Doctoral Landscape Award is a Fully funded EPSRC scholarship with the RCA.
www.rca.ac.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:54 AM
🍃 Are you a interested in a PhD in NetZero Futures?
The NetZero Futures Doctoral Landscape are offering fully funded EPSRC studentships for Royal College of Art PhD students starting in September 2026 and September 2027.
How to apply ➡️ www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-...
The NetZero Futures Doctoral Landscape are offering fully funded EPSRC studentships for Royal College of Art PhD students starting in September 2026 and September 2027.
How to apply ➡️ www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
DiGRA 2026 (Ireland) CfP is now live
Full paper and abstracts deadline: 1 December 2025
Workshop proposals deadline: 15 February 2026
www.digraconference2026.com
#games #gamestudies
Full paper and abstracts deadline: 1 December 2025
Workshop proposals deadline: 15 February 2026
www.digraconference2026.com
#games #gamestudies
DiGRA 2026 Conference | Maynooth University
Join the DiGRA 2026 conference at Maynooth University, 14–18 June 2026. Theme “Intersectional Pleasures.” A global hybrid event for game research, culture, design, and industry.
www.digraconference2026.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:29 PM
DiGRA 2026 (Ireland) CfP is now live
Full paper and abstracts deadline: 1 December 2025
Workshop proposals deadline: 15 February 2026
www.digraconference2026.com
#games #gamestudies
Full paper and abstracts deadline: 1 December 2025
Workshop proposals deadline: 15 February 2026
www.digraconference2026.com
#games #gamestudies
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Looking forward to this event on social justice in tabletop games. Come see/play some games (inc Billionaires and Guillotines, Daybreak, Molly House) and explore the topic, it would be cool to see you there (London 14/11) www.tickettailor.com/events/kings... #gamedesign #gamesresearch
Select tickets – Gaming Social Justice – REACH Space
Gaming Social Justice – REACH Space, Fri 14 Nov 2025 -
‘Let the children once see clearly the gross injustice of our present land system and when they grow up, if they are allowed to develop naturall...
www.tickettailor.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Looking forward to this event on social justice in tabletop games. Come see/play some games (inc Billionaires and Guillotines, Daybreak, Molly House) and explore the topic, it would be cool to see you there (London 14/11) www.tickettailor.com/events/kings... #gamedesign #gamesresearch
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Suspect this New Statesman deep dive into the Tony Blair Institute makes the case that the correct "Economist descriptor" for the TBI is now "Oracle dealership" rather than "think tank" www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Inside the Tony Blair Institute
Who really benefits from the former PM’s tech evangelism?
www.newstatesman.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Suspect this New Statesman deep dive into the Tony Blair Institute makes the case that the correct "Economist descriptor" for the TBI is now "Oracle dealership" rather than "think tank" www.newstatesman.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
This time next week I will be officially unemployed (although I could still describe myself as a part-time PhD student). Taking a bit of time to regroup and then looking for something 2/3 days a week around community engagement, knowledge exchange, project management, or storytelling
September 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
This time next week I will be officially unemployed (although I could still describe myself as a part-time PhD student). Taking a bit of time to regroup and then looking for something 2/3 days a week around community engagement, knowledge exchange, project management, or storytelling
Reposted by Paul Coulton
For ICT4S 2024 we hosted a zine jam to make a space for ideas and work about tech and sustainability. The result was Liminal Excavations.
We've uploaded to itch.io (oliverbates.itch.io/liminal-exca...) and HCommons (works.hcommons.org/records/fh0v...).
#zine #sustainability #ict4s #tech #academia
We've uploaded to itch.io (oliverbates.itch.io/liminal-exca...) and HCommons (works.hcommons.org/records/fh0v...).
#zine #sustainability #ict4s #tech #academia
Liminal Excavations by oliver bates
A zine that explores alternative visions, ideas and critiques on the topic of sustainability and ICT
oliverbates.itch.io
September 2, 2025 at 9:51 AM
For ICT4S 2024 we hosted a zine jam to make a space for ideas and work about tech and sustainability. The result was Liminal Excavations.
We've uploaded to itch.io (oliverbates.itch.io/liminal-exca...) and HCommons (works.hcommons.org/records/fh0v...).
#zine #sustainability #ict4s #tech #academia
We've uploaded to itch.io (oliverbates.itch.io/liminal-exca...) and HCommons (works.hcommons.org/records/fh0v...).
#zine #sustainability #ict4s #tech #academia
Reposted by Paul Coulton
DiGRA 2026 will be hosted at Maynooth University in Maynooth, Ireland from 14 to 18 June 2026.
The 2026 conference theme is Intersectional Pleasures.
digra.org/digra-2026-h...
The 2026 conference theme is Intersectional Pleasures.
digra.org/digra-2026-h...
DiGRA 2026 Conference Announcement - DiGRA
The DiGRA Executive Board is pleased to announce that DiGRA 2026 will be hosted at Maynooth University in Maynooth, Ireland from 14 to 18 June 2026.
digra.org
September 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
DiGRA 2026 will be hosted at Maynooth University in Maynooth, Ireland from 14 to 18 June 2026.
The 2026 conference theme is Intersectional Pleasures.
digra.org/digra-2026-h...
The 2026 conference theme is Intersectional Pleasures.
digra.org/digra-2026-h...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
What the women stationed in a base in Antartica told Kim Stanley Robinson when he asked them about the possibility of relationships with men there: “The odds are good — but the goods are odd.”
August 8, 2025 at 5:03 AM
What the women stationed in a base in Antartica told Kim Stanley Robinson when he asked them about the possibility of relationships with men there: “The odds are good — but the goods are odd.”
Reposted by Paul Coulton
🎓 PhD Studentship Alert 💰
Want to do a fully funded PhD in serious games? 🕹️
We have a studentship open at Imperial on using service design to create games for undergraduate science curricula.
Apply by August 17, UK home students only.
Full details 👉 bit.ly/games-phd-25
@ & DM open, pls share!
Want to do a fully funded PhD in serious games? 🕹️
We have a studentship open at Imperial on using service design to create games for undergraduate science curricula.
Apply by August 17, UK home students only.
Full details 👉 bit.ly/games-phd-25
@ & DM open, pls share!
Designing applied games for deep conceptual learning in undergraduate science curricula – a service design perspective at Imperial College London on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - Designing applied games for deep conceptual learning in undergraduate science curricula – a service design perspective at Imperial College London, listed on FindAPhD.com
bit.ly
August 5, 2025 at 12:59 PM
🎓 PhD Studentship Alert 💰
Want to do a fully funded PhD in serious games? 🕹️
We have a studentship open at Imperial on using service design to create games for undergraduate science curricula.
Apply by August 17, UK home students only.
Full details 👉 bit.ly/games-phd-25
@ & DM open, pls share!
Want to do a fully funded PhD in serious games? 🕹️
We have a studentship open at Imperial on using service design to create games for undergraduate science curricula.
Apply by August 17, UK home students only.
Full details 👉 bit.ly/games-phd-25
@ & DM open, pls share!
AI fulfils its potential
July 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM
AI fulfils its potential
Reposted by Paul Coulton
A workshop at DIS25 on Saturday the 5th of July exploring the temporalities of speculation.
Submissions open now! See here: www.sixdegreesworkshop.com
Submissions open now! See here: www.sixdegreesworkshop.com
June 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
A workshop at DIS25 on Saturday the 5th of July exploring the temporalities of speculation.
Submissions open now! See here: www.sixdegreesworkshop.com
Submissions open now! See here: www.sixdegreesworkshop.com
Reposted by Paul Coulton
novaramedia.com/2025/06/04/k...
Data centres will not create the thousands of jobs gov would like us to think they will.
Data centres will not create the thousands of jobs gov would like us to think they will.
Keir Starmer Used Dodgy Figures to Claim 4,000 New Jobs. In Fact, It’s Only 400 | Novara Media
Labour’s plans to kickstart productivity are based on massively inflated numbers from a US private equity giant. Why is the prime minister doing Blackstone's PR? Polly Smythe reports.
novaramedia.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:31 AM
novaramedia.com/2025/06/04/k...
Data centres will not create the thousands of jobs gov would like us to think they will.
Data centres will not create the thousands of jobs gov would like us to think they will.
Reposted by Paul Coulton
If you're attending ACM #DIS2025, consider applying to our workshop on Expanding Historical Approaches to Speculative Design! We welcome participation from folks interested in history, design, and speculation.
Short position papers due June 13, more info here: sites.google.com/view/histori...
Short position papers due June 13, more info here: sites.google.com/view/histori...
DIS2025 Workshop
Expanding Historical Approaches to Speculative Design
sites.google.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
If you're attending ACM #DIS2025, consider applying to our workshop on Expanding Historical Approaches to Speculative Design! We welcome participation from folks interested in history, design, and speculation.
Short position papers due June 13, more info here: sites.google.com/view/histori...
Short position papers due June 13, more info here: sites.google.com/view/histori...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Across continents the world is fading from green to grey.
#ShowYourStripes for #BiodiversityDay
Download and share here: biodiversitystripes.info/global
#ShowYourStripes for #BiodiversityDay
Download and share here: biodiversitystripes.info/global
May 22, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Across continents the world is fading from green to grey.
#ShowYourStripes for #BiodiversityDay
Download and share here: biodiversitystripes.info/global
#ShowYourStripes for #BiodiversityDay
Download and share here: biodiversitystripes.info/global
Noticing a surge in interest around games as approach to futures so posting this old DRS paper for inspiration dl.designresearchsociety.org/cgi/viewcont...
dl.designresearchsociety.org
May 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Noticing a surge in interest around games as approach to futures so posting this old DRS paper for inspiration dl.designresearchsociety.org/cgi/viewcont...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
DL just around the corner! Apply by May 15 if you're interested in advancing research on theory translation and games
Is your PhD research on game design, game production, HCI, or design theory? I've got three 2-year postdoc positions in my ERC StG project to investigate what makes theory useful and usable in game design / interaction design.
Reposts much appreciated. Thx!
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
Reposts much appreciated. Thx!
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
Postdoc positions in HCI and Videogames Theory at IT University of Copenhagen
The IT University of Copenhagen invites highly motivated individuals to apply for a Postdoc position in HCI and Videogames Theory at IT University of Copenhagen
candidate.hr-manager.net
May 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
DL just around the corner! Apply by May 15 if you're interested in advancing research on theory translation and games
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Colleagues of mine are seeking to commission a graphic novel that captures their research project's findings.
Commission value £24,000, application deadline 7th May
To apply: Send CV and portfolio to reimagining@lancaster.ac.uk
Further details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nuri-k...
Commission value £24,000, application deadline 7th May
To apply: Send CV and portfolio to reimagining@lancaster.ac.uk
Further details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nuri-k...
April 30, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Colleagues of mine are seeking to commission a graphic novel that captures their research project's findings.
Commission value £24,000, application deadline 7th May
To apply: Send CV and portfolio to reimagining@lancaster.ac.uk
Further details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nuri-k...
Commission value £24,000, application deadline 7th May
To apply: Send CV and portfolio to reimagining@lancaster.ac.uk
Further details here: www.linkedin.com/posts/nuri-k...
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Only two more weeks to take this survey, please help us out by filling it in and spreading the word. Especially #artdirector #gameart #worldbuilding #gamedesign 🙏🏼
We are designing a toolkit to support desirable and sustainable futures aesthetics in games, and we need your help!
If you are a game art director, artist or otherwise involved in game visuals, aesthetics and worldbuilding, please complete this short survey.
please share 🔃
#gamedev #gameart
If you are a game art director, artist or otherwise involved in game visuals, aesthetics and worldbuilding, please complete this short survey.
please share 🔃
#gamedev #gameart
Qualtrics Survey | Desirable Futures Toolkit
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
auckland.au1.qualtrics.com
May 1, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Only two more weeks to take this survey, please help us out by filling it in and spreading the word. Especially #artdirector #gameart #worldbuilding #gamedesign 🙏🏼
Reposted by Paul Coulton
✨Very excited to share details of our British Academy-funded one-day symposium at Lancaster University in July: SPECULATIVE MACHINES AND US: HISTORIES AND FUTURES OF AI. ✨💥Featuring @ohalpern.bsky.social @mbfazi.bsky.social @aleenachia.bsky.social and more💥 tinyurl.com/bde6x7ub Please share widely!
Speculative Machines and Us: Histories and Futures of AI
We warmly invite colleagues to join us for an in-person one-day symposium on Thursday 17th July 2025. To join, please register using the link below. The event is organised by the Centre for Science…
wp.lancs.ac.uk
April 29, 2025 at 9:23 AM
✨Very excited to share details of our British Academy-funded one-day symposium at Lancaster University in July: SPECULATIVE MACHINES AND US: HISTORIES AND FUTURES OF AI. ✨💥Featuring @ohalpern.bsky.social @mbfazi.bsky.social @aleenachia.bsky.social and more💥 tinyurl.com/bde6x7ub Please share widely!
Part fiction (and a little parody) this paper posits that 'smart' devices sould not focus on alleviating us of some mundane task (solutionism) but as a way of managing repair and maintainance of connected devices to turn right to repair into capacity to repair.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Smarter Repair 2053
In 2023 the European Union enacted the right-to-repair for European citizens which was undoubtedly a step forward in tackling planned obsolescence and the deluge of electronic product waste being p...
www.tandfonline.com
April 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Part fiction (and a little parody) this paper posits that 'smart' devices sould not focus on alleviating us of some mundane task (solutionism) but as a way of managing repair and maintainance of connected devices to turn right to repair into capacity to repair.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Paul Coulton
Love tinkering with tech? Care about peeps and our planet? Check out our #sustainablefutures activities Fri 11th in Morecambe + Sat 12th in Lancaster for #LancasterUniversity's #CampusInTheCity event 🤖🎨🌿
#RePlay #ROBBEtheRobot #RepairLand #EnergyMaster
#TheMakingRooms @imaginationlanc.bsky.social
#RePlay #ROBBEtheRobot #RepairLand #EnergyMaster
#TheMakingRooms @imaginationlanc.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Love tinkering with tech? Care about peeps and our planet? Check out our #sustainablefutures activities Fri 11th in Morecambe + Sat 12th in Lancaster for #LancasterUniversity's #CampusInTheCity event 🤖🎨🌿
#RePlay #ROBBEtheRobot #RepairLand #EnergyMaster
#TheMakingRooms @imaginationlanc.bsky.social
#RePlay #ROBBEtheRobot #RepairLand #EnergyMaster
#TheMakingRooms @imaginationlanc.bsky.social
Generative AI seems to generate new AI experts at a prestigious rate
March 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Generative AI seems to generate new AI experts at a prestigious rate