Seminars
Programme autumn 2026
No registration needed for the online seminars.
Welcome!
Book talk: The science of learning meets AI
Presenter: Susanne Mirbt, Head of Unit for Academic Teaching and Learning, Uppsala university
Date: Wednesday 16th of September
Language: English
Zoom: https://uu-se.zoom.us/my/mirbt
The Science of Learning Meets AI: A Practical Faculty Guide to Purposeful Integration, Student Engagement, and Ethical Practice, authored by Lewis D. Ludwig and Todd D. Zakrajsek (2026), provides a research-grounded framework for integrating generative AI into higher education. The authors offer practical tips on when, how, and when not to use AI applications to support student learning. Drawing on their experience in higher education pedagogy, they base their guide on established research on how students learn.
This seminar is based on the book and highlights the teacher’s role as an “active coach”. During the seminar, participants will discuss a number of practical strategies presented in the book.
How can Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) cultivate Democratic Engagement?
Presenter: Sarah Lynne Bowman, Senior lecturer at the Department of Game design, Campus Gotland
Date: Wednesday 7th of October
Language: English
Zoom: https://uu-se.zoom.us/s/68457117134
In this seminar, Sarah Lynne Bowman explores how role-playing games can be used to raise awareness, build resilience, and foster critical thinking in a time when disinformation spreads rapidly and democratic principles are increasingly challenged.
As a concrete example, she presents The Assembly, a role-playing game designed to simulate how community members can engage in democratic deliberation. Deliberation in this context involves clearly articulating one’s position on an issue while also listening carefully and respectfully to the perspectives of others—even in situations marked by strong disagreement. The emphasis lies on building mutual understanding and practicing the skills needed for a well-functioning democracy.
This scenario is part of the Horizon Europe research project Larpocracy, which investigates the potential impact of live action role-playing (larp) on democratic values and civic skills.
Sarah is also a founding member of the Transformative Play Initiative, a research group dedicated to exploring how the design and practice of role-playing games can serve as a medium for personal and social transformation.
In recognition of her teaching, Sarah received one of the 2026 Distinguished Teaching Awards for “Assessment that promotes student learning.” The award highlights her strong pedagogical contribution, particularly within transformative game design and LARP.
You can also watch a short film on transformative play on the Uppsala University website.
Reading tip:
Bowman, S. L., Öberg, P., Johansson, K., & Waern, A. (2025). Mapping the Design Terrain between Live Action Role-Playing Games and Deliberative Events for Democratic Skill Development. In Education and Analog Role-Playing Games (pp. 232–279). CRC Press. (The book is available online via the University Library.)
Responsible for online seminars is Ulrike Schnaas, Educational developer, Unit for Academic Teaching and Learning, ulrike.schnaas@uu.se