Supporting research

While a great deal of scientific data is currently available on video games, very little is available on board games despite growing interest in this type of game in all disciplines. This is why Game in Lab launches calls for projects every year to support the production of multidisciplinary scientific knowledge on board games. 

International call for projects

International call for projects

Game in Lab provides financial support to scientific research projects every year.

Projects supported

    • Project
    • Underway


    Collective Role Play as Inclusive Territory (CRIT): Role-playing as and with diverse others to promote gender and sexual orientation social inclusion

    In 2024, Game in Lab selected Dr. Benjamin Le Hénaff’s project to explore how playing characters with different genders and sexual orientations can foster empathy and intergroup interaction. Through a series of experimental studies, this research investigates the potential of role-playing games to reduce prejudice and promote social inclusion among players of the Dungeons & Dragons community. This contributes to a deeper understanding of how games can become spaces for experiencing and transforming gender and sexual norms.
    • Project
    • Underway


    The impact of board games’ materiality on the reception of their environmentalist message

    In 2024, Game in Lab selected Pr. Gabrielle Trépanier-Jobin's project to examine how the materiality of board games influences the reception of their environmentalist messages. This research focuses on games that promote sobriety and degrowth, and investigates whether minimalist or sophisticated production choices affect negatively or positively players’ interpretation of ecological values. The project will contribute both to the advancement of game studies and sustainable design practices.
    • Project
    • Underway


    Play and the city: Investigating the cultural heritage of games of the City of Rome (200 BC-500 AD)

    In 2024, Game in Lab selected Dr. Tim Penn's project to explore the cultural significance and social role of board games in the city of Rome between 200 BC and 500 AD. The project aims to shed light on a lesser-known facet of ancient Roman society. Using a digital approach that ensures the preservation of data for future research, it documents and analyzes archaeological evidence of board games found across Roman sites.
Scientific Committee

Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee is responsible for the scientific and ethical direction of the Game in Lab program. It also supervises scientific actions conducted under the program, and selects projects under the annual calls for projects.

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