Dr. Joost Raessens

Biography

Joost Raessens holds the chair of Media Theory at Utrecht University, where he coordinates the Horizon Europe-funded project focusing on the sustainable transition of Europe’s game industries. His research investigates the impact of games, artificial intelligence, and extended reality on the climate crisis, aiming to foster ecological citizenship through interactive experiences. Raessens has been involved in notable projects such as 'Collapsus' and 'SpaceBuzz', aiming to create awareness about sustainability through gaming. Not only has he co-edited various influential books on gaming and media studies, but he has also supervised numerous PhD projects and contributed significantly to the academic community through his involvement in editorial boards of leading journals in the field. Raessens has a proven track record in organizing conferences, notably chairing the Digital Games Research Association conference in Utrecht. His academic contributions have been recognized through various publications, including his inaugural lecture on the ludic turn in media theory. Throughout his career, he has actively promoted the intersection of gaming and environmental challenges, exemplified by his recent projects and collaborations in educational and community contexts, continuing to shape the discourse on media and sustainability.

Research Interests

Experience