"It was inspiring to see the high level of quality of research being produced by the game development students."
Two significant research conferences were held last month, showing the interest and enthusiasm among students, faculty, and independent researchers for venues that allow them to share the latest developments in their disciplines, connect and network with each other, and foster synergies that will encourage collaboration and cooperation.
The 2nd Communication Research International Conference was held Oct. 17-18 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman Cine Adarna. Of the 112 abstracts received, 56 were accepted for presentation at 16 parallel sessions.
CRIC, organized by the UP-D College of Mass Communication Department of Communication Research, was first held in 2016 and grew out of the National Communication Research Conference first staged in 2012 and the Communication Research Student Conference initiated in 2008.
CRIC 2019 was a venue for students, faculty, and media professionals across and outside the Philippines to share and disseminate their studies in the field of communication and media.
Among the many topics discussed were social media, group chats, mobile payment, online news, consumer behavior, disaster risk reduction and management, public shaming, and mental health.
The keynote remarks were delivered by Hans Lopez-Vito, COO of BBDO Greater China, who spoke about the impact of the digital economy on brand communication and research.
One of the plenary speakers was Florida State University Professor Mia Liza Lustria, who explained and explored the concept of mass interpersonal persuasion brought about by the integration of web technologies into the communication repertoires of individuals. This has practical application in the design of persuasive systems or experiences related to social influence processes.
Congratulations to the organizers—the UP-CMC Department of Communication Research and the Philippines Communication Society—and a shout-out to UP-CMC Commres Dept. chair and CRIC convenor Dr. Julienne Baldo-Cubelo for the successful and well-attended conference.
Meanwhile, ludology—game studies—is having a moment now courtesy of game development teachers and gaming industry people who staged the country’s first academic research conference on the topic.
Held Oct. 23 at SMX Mall of Asia and hosted by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines, the LARO (Ludology Academic Research Output) Conference showcased seven research papers in the morning, while industry-related forums were held in the afternoon.
Presented to the attendees, mostly game development students, were researches by students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University-Bacolod, Philippine Women’s University, and Asia Pacific College.
Almost all the games discussed were educational and related to advocacies. Turtle Tale promotes ocean plastic waste reduction strategies; Nutrimania informs players about world hunger and what to do about it; Riffraff teaches the value of waste segregation and hygiene; and Fragments brings attention to the plight of street children.
Pleaseed with the success of the event, DLS-CSB game development professor Dr. Beatrice Margarita V. Lapa and GDAP’s Bea Aranas said that they and the other event organizers will plan a two-day conference next year to accommodate more researches.
Lapa also said that they are developing an academic journal for ludology research.
Taking center stage at the event were students engaging in worthy causes and using their skills and talents to educate others on important issues. For instance, one of Nutrimania’s creators, Nathaniel Gonzales, said, “Not everyone is privileged [enough] to eat away their hunger… Game developers can fight against world hunger by putting the challenge of zero hunger in our games.”
It was also inspiring to see the high level of quality of research being produced by the game development students.
Yes to Filipino research! Kudos at salamat sa mga baliw na baliw sa pananaliksik! /FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO