This book interrogates the role games and playfulness bear in both formal education and informal social learning. Responsive to contemporary social and ecological challenges, this book especially explores games’ interactions with social power. On one hand, games sometimes operate to reinforce ideologies that normalise social injustice and environmental disregard. On the other, games offer rich possibilities for questioning such ideologies and encouraging change. Strongly interdisciplinary, the book assembles 20 chapters written by 50 experts across fields including education, game design, cultural studies, sociology, Indigenous studies, disability studies, queer studies, STEM, legal studies, history, creative writing, visual arts, music, the creative industries, and social inclusion. These contributions not only make games a focus but incorporate playful research writing strategies, demonstrating methods of what we term ludic inquiry. This includes chapters written using arts-based research, practice-led research, poetic inquiry, narrative inquiry, autoethnography, duoethnography, and more. Organised across four themes – ‘philosophical sparks’, ‘lived experiences’, ‘pedagogical perspectives’, and ‘the spirit of play’ – this book emphasises the radical egalitarian possibilities inherent in critical attention to games and how we play (or get played by) them. Its fresh insights will interest all readers interested in creatively remaking our worlds.

International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, Second Edition, Fourteen Volume Set embraces diversity by design and captures the ways in which humans share places and view differences based on gender, race, nationality, location and other factors—in other words, the things that make people and places different. Questions of, for example, politics, economics, race relations and migration are introduced and discussed through a geographical lens. This updated edition will assist readers in their research by providing factual information, historical perspectives, theoretical approaches, reviews of literature, and provocative topical discussions that will stimulate creative thinking. Presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage on the topic of human geography Contains extensive scope and depth of coverage Emphasizes how geographers interact with, understand and contribute to problem-solving in the contemporary world Places an emphasis on how geography is relevant in a social and interdisciplinary context

Ludic Pedagogy: A Seriously Fun Way to Teach and Learn outlines why and how having fun and positive experiences in college and university classes (and not just at social events or parties) leads to increased student success in face-to-face, hybrid, hyflex, or online environments. It provides readers with the Ludic Pedagogy model, together with how instructors can employ the elements of the model – play, playfulness, and positivity – in the courses that they teach. This book is grounded in empirical research so that readers can appreciate why each element of the Ludic Pedagogy model contributes to increased learning and student wellbeing. It also offers examples, practical advice, and guidance on how faculty can employ activities and attitudes so that students have more memorable, meaningful, and valuable educational experiences in college/university. In order to win over the elbow-patched-blazer-wearing professoriate, we specifically address why the ludic mindset, and having fun, is compatible with “serious” academic work.

This unique collection of testimonials, critical essays, and first-hand accounts demonstrates the significant contribution of campus service workers in supporting the retention and success of first-generation college students. Using a Freirean framework to ground individual stories, the text identifies ways in which campus workers connect with students, provide informal mentorship, and offer culturally relevant support during students’ transition to college and beyond. Drawing on a range of interviews, case studies, and research studies, emphasis is placed on the unique challenges faced by first-generation and minority students such as cultural alienation, imposter syndrome, language barriers, and financial insecurity. Ultimately, the text dismantles notions of social hierarchies that separate workers and college students and encourages institutions to invest in these workers and their contribution to student well-being and success. This book will benefit researchers, academics, and educators with an interest in the higher education and student affair practice and higher education administration more broadly. Those specifically interested in multicultural education and the study of race and ethnicity within US higher educational contexts will also benefit from this book.

A wide-ranging consideration of the emerging field of contemplative education. Contemplative approaches to higher education have been gaining in popularity and application across a wide range of disciplines. Spurring conferences, a growing body of literature, and several academic programs or centers, these approaches promise to contribute significantly to higher education in the years to come. This volume provides an overview of the current landscape of contemplative instruction, pedagogy, philosophy, and curriculum from the perspectives of leading researchers and scholar-practitioners. Contributors come from a variety of disciplines, including education, management and leadership studies, humanities, social sciences, the arts, and information science. Drawing on diverse contexts, the essays reveal the applicability of contemplative studies as a watershed field, capable of informing, enriching, and sustaining the many disciplines and instructional contexts that comprise higher education. Chapters discuss the theoretical aspects of the field; the details, experiences, and challenges of contemplative approaches; and the hopes and concerns for the future of this field.

Addressing social inequalities and fostering holistic well-being has never been more pressing. As people grapple with environmental challenges and navigate the complexities of human interactions, the need for a paradigm shift in how businesses are managed becomes vital. Seeking to confront the profound issue at the heart of our societal fabric — the need for organizations, both public and private, to transcend conventional practices— emerges Game-Based Education Approaches to Inclusive Business Management as a tool for change. The book advocates for a transformative approach that integrates game-based learning and working methodologies to instigate a shift towards inclusivity, social responsibility, and overall well-being. Scholars, academics, practitioners, and those passionate about reshaping our societal fabric are invited to contribute to this collective effort, shaping a future where inclusivity and well-being are not mere ideals but integral components of business management. Grounded in the understanding that the fate of our planet hinges not only on environmental responsibility but also on the quality of human interactions within our work environments, this book ventures into uncharted territory. The objective is clear: to dissect the challenges impeding inclusive practices in business management. By melding research with game-based methodologies, the book seeks to uncover solutions that transcend traditional boundaries. It endeavors to examine the complexities of reducing inequalities and fostering inclusivity by delving into organizational, economic, and personal perspectives. The fusion of game-based learning and game-based working emerges as a driving force for promoting organizational well-being, challenging existing norms, and paving the way for a future where inclusivity is not just an aspiration but an intrinsic aspect of business management.

Collaboration in Higher Education, an open access book, focuses on the opportunities and challenges created by engaging in collaboration and partnership in higher education. As higher education institutions become ever more competitive to sustain their place in a global, neoliberal education market, students and staff are confronted with alienating practices. Such practices create an individualistic, audit and surveillance culture that is exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the wholesale 'pivot' to online teaching. In this atomised and competitive climate, this volume synthesises theoretical perspectives and current practice to present case study examples that advocate for a more inclusive, cooperative, collaborative, compassionate and empowering education, one that sees learning and teaching as a practice that enables personal, collective and societal growth. The human element of education is at the core of this book, focusing on what we can do and achieve together: students, academic staff, higher education institutions and relevant stakeholders. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Knowledge Unlatched.