Name: State of Play: A history of Playful Learning in 10 Video Games
Start: 2025-10-15T16:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-10-15T17:30:00+01:00
Location: Lecture Theatre 003

15th October 2025

Lecture Theatre 003

5.30pm - 6.30pm

State of Play: A history of Playful Learning in 10 Video Games

In this illustrative inaugural lecture, Professor Nic Whitton will explore how playful learning in higher education has evolved and become increasingly embedded in universities over the past twenty years.

She will discuss her own research and experiences, highlighting video games that have influenced her practice or thinking.

About the Speaker

Professor Nic Whitton has a varied academic background starting with a degree in Business Management from the University of Newcastle followed by several years working in the not-for-profit sector.

She returned to education in her late twenties, undertaking a Masters degree in Information Systems at Edinburgh Napier University followed by a part-time PhD while working in a range of learning technology and academic development roles.

After completing her PhD in the potential of collaborative video games for learning Profesor Whitton worked in the School of Education at Manchester Metropolitan University until 2018. This was followed by a five-year stint as Director for the Centre for Academic Development at Durham University before moving to Northumbria in September 2023.