"In five years, UiA has gone from launching a degree programme to becoming the place where international esports players want to meet. This is because we have managed to link esports to academia and education in a way few others have done", says Rune Andersen, head of UiA’s research centre for academic esports and gaming technology (FLARE) and programme director for academic esports at UiA.
Next week, he will welcome researchers, experts, educators and several key figures from the Norwegian and international esports community for the third time to the Academic Esports Seminar.
Among the guests is His Royal Highness Prince Omar bin Faisal of Jordan – nephew of King Abdullah II of Jordan and fourth in line to the throne. He is president of the Jordanian Esports Federation and a board member of the International Esports Federation (IESF).
In addition, representatives will be attending from, among others, Gen.G in South Korea – one of the world’s largest and best-known esports companies – as well as international industry leaders and esports federations from various parts of the world.
Programme
The programme includes talks by leading experts in esports and digital culture. Andersen highlights some of the key events:
- Brett Abarbanel (Executive Director, International Gaming Institute, University of Nevada)
- Benjamin Bays (Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin)
- Nyle Sky Kauweloa (Director, UH Esports, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa)
- Nicole Minkyung Choi (Gen.G Global Academy)
- Vlad Marinescu (President, International Esports Federation (IeSF))
- Cathrine Hopstock (Senior Vice President / Head of Technology, Gard AS)
- Sayo Okamoto (CEO, GAKU
- David Cami (Faculty Executive Director, UNSW Sydney)
- Eric Whitaker (former US Ambassador to Niger)
“There are people who actually help shape the future of this industry. This gives us a unique opportunity to have important discussions about the future of esports, particularly in the area of education, where UiA has a unique position,” says Andersen.
A changing esports landscape
Esports is currently experiencing a period of commercial decline. The focus is shifting from major tournaments to the local level, involving clubs, schools and youth groups where esports actually shapes young people.
"Norway is a good place for discussions about esports. We have strong traditions of voluntary sport and a growing research community within esports. Now that we are bringing together both national and international stakeholders in Grimstad, UiA becomes a natural meeting point for those who will shape the future of esports", says Andersen.
The theme of the conference is ‘Roots in the future: Grassroots, belonging and people-centred esports in a changing digital society’. The days will be filled with panel discussions and lectures featuring leading experts in esports.
On Tuesday, UiA and Óbuda University from Budapest, Hungary, will also sign a new cooperation agreement.
In the days leading up to the event, the Norwegian Esports Summit will also take place on 7–8 May, a national workshop on esports-based youth education in Norway.
Taking a leading role for Norway
In 2025, Andersen and his colleagues at the University of Agder (UiA) established the research centre for academic esports and gaming technology (FLARE: Future Lab for Academic Research in Esports).
"Norway is investing in esports, not just as an industry, but as a platform for innovation across disciplines. “With this new centre, Norway can take a leading role internationally in esports policy, research and education,” says Andersen.
UiA puts Grimstad on the map
Grimstad Municipality is the host municipality for UiA Campus Grimstad.
"It is a positive development for the municipality that UiA is succeeding in building academic environments that attract national and international attention. It strengthens Grimstad’s position as a university town and gives the town a clearer place in discussions about technology, education and the digital communities of the future,” says Beate Skretting, Mayor of Grimstad Municipality.
Contact person:
- rune.andersen@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 41 62 86 34
- tobias.scholz@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 40 10 69 82