The last few years has given education a great insight into its own practices. Between online classrooms during the pandemic and the rapid emergence of more and more powerful technologies, we educators have seen a growing need to reevaluate our classrooms, as well as work with new tech to enhance these learning environments.

As such, we believe that the best way forward is to find new and innovative ways to integrate technologies into the classroom, like VR in Law or video games in composition classrooms, by bringing forward-thinking educators together to learn from each other. We believe that by fostering collaboration between faculty and Universities, we can unlock a world of possibilities that will shape the future of learning across the globe. To do so, the University of Kentucky UKFCU Esports Lounge and affiliated faculty would like to cordially invite you to submit abstracts and to attend our upcoming “Leveling up the Classroom” conference, an interdisciplinary and hybrid event emphasizing the pedagogical utility of games and VR in classrooms across the university setting. Some potential abstract topics (this list is non-exhaustive) include:

- Accessibility
- Games/VR, diversity, and inclusion
- Game-based learning theory and application
- Implementing games/VR in classrooms (humanities or otherwise)
- Specific games you have used successfully in the classroom

The conference will also feature keynote addresses from Dr. Anastasia Salter, professor and director of the University of Central Florida's Texts and Technology Ph.D.; Dr. Edmond Chang, associate English professor at Ohio University; and Scot Osterweil, Founder, Lead Game Designer, and Creative Director for the Learning Games Network.

Abstracts of no more than 500 words, for papers that can be presented in twenty to twenty-five minutes, should be sent to gavin.pulley@uky.edu. Please include your name, email, standing, institutional affiliation, and preferred method of presenting (online or in-person) in the body of the email, with the abstract attached as a Microsoft Word document prepared for anonymous review. The deadline for submission is October 15th at midnight EST. Abstracts will be reviewed and presenters notified by October 29th. Graduate students, faculty, and educationally-focused game developers are encouraged to apply. A registration fee of 40$ to cover food expenses will be required for attendees and presenters once the conference schedule is finalized.

This two-day event will be held in the University of Kentucky’s UKFCU Esports Lounge, located in the Cornerstone building (401 S Limestone, Lexington, 40508) on January 27th and 28th. Lunches will be provided both days, and a light breakfast will be provided the second day. You can find more information on the conference webpage:https://esports.uky.edu/cfa-and-conference-details. If you have any remaining questions, email nash.meade@uky.edu