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    Call for Submissions Now Open — DuE:    July 15

    BIPOC Game Studies
    Conference

    January 14–15, 2027 University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL

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    Where BIPOC voices
    shape gaming’s future

    The Conference on BIPOC Game Studies (C-BIPOC) is a first-of-its-kind academic and professional gathering dedicated to amplifying the voices, scholarship, creativity, and lived experience of Black, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and People of Color communities within gaming — as players, creators, scholars, and subjects of study.

    C-BIPOC sits at the intersection of academic inquiry, creative practice, and industry leadership — bringing together peer-reviewed research, curated game showcases, dynamic keynotes, and open community conversations in service of a gaming culture that is more inclusive and representative.

    “This conference is the culmination of ongoing efforts to shine a light on existing work that has too often been overlooked and to preserve the stories and practices of BIPOC game creators for future generations.”
    Dr. Lindsay Grace — Conference Co-Chair, Knight Chair in Interactive Media, University of Miami
    2nd
    Annual conference, building on a landmark inaugural year
    9
    Conference themes spanning scholarship, creativity & industry
    5
    Travel grants available for emerging BIPOC scholars
    ACM
    Top papers considered for ACM Games: Research & Practice Journal
    BIPOC Games Conference at The Strong National Museum of Play, news coverage
    2025 Inaugural Conference · The Strong National Museum of Play · Rochester, NY

    Broad, urgent, and vital scholarship

    C-BIPOC 2027 welcomes scholarly and creative work across all of the following themes. You do not need to be a member of BIPOC communities to submit — allies and advocates are welcome.

    Theme 01

    Representation and Identity in Video Games

    Theme 02

    Digital and Analog Games as Cultural Artifact

    Theme 03

    Games By and About BIPOC Communities

    Theme 04

    Decolonizing Game Development and Design

    Theme 05

    Indigenous, Black, and AAPI Knowledge Systems and Gaming

    Theme 06

    Futurism and Gaming — Afrofuturism, Indigenous & Asian Futurisms

    Theme 07

    Cultural Preservation and Digital Heritage

    Theme 08

    Social Impact and Activism Through Games

    Theme 09

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Playful Technologies

    Share your work with
    a community that sees it

    Submission Type Deadline
    Presentation Abstract
    500–800 words
    July 15, 2026
    Full Paper
    2,500–8,000 words
    July 15, 2026
    Panel Proposal
    ~800 words
    July 15, 2026
    Industry / Professional Talk
    Form submission
    July 15, 2026
    Creative Showcase
    Games, playable media
    July 15, 2026
    Student Track
    Games, playable media
    September 12, 2026
    Acceptance notifications: September 1, 2026
    Five (5) travel grants for emerging scholars lacking institutional funding
    Full papers considered for the ACM Games: Research and Practice Journal
    All accepted work published in proceedings with Play Story Press
    Academic Track
    Submit a Paper or Abstract
    Present peer-reviewed research on any of the 9 conference themes. Abstracts, full papers, and panel proposals all welcome. Deadline: July 1, 2026. July 15, 2026
    Submit via EasyChair
    Industry & Professional Track
    Submit an Industry Talk
    Share your professional expertise, studio experience, or industry perspective. Deadline: July 15, 2026.
    Pitch a Talk
    Creative Track
    Submit to the Creative Showcase
    Show your digital or analog game to scholars, industry professionals, students, and the public. Deadline: July 15, 2026.
    Submit Your Game

    Built by scholars and
    community leaders

    Conference Co-Chair
    Dr. Lindsay Grace
    Knight Chair in Interactive Media, University of Miami School of Communication
    Conference Co-Chair
    Abbie Hamilton
    Organizing & Program Committee
    Krystal Cooper
    Rochester Institute of Technology, IGME
    Dr. Toiya Kristen Finley
    Schnoodle Media, LLC
    Dr. Akil Fletcher
    Princeton University
    Stephen Jacobs
    Rochester Institute of Technology (emeritus)
    Theresa Loong
    Vassar College & FORM360
    Dr. TreaAndrea Russworm
    University of Southern California
    Dr. Aaron Trammell
    University of California–Irvine
    Lien Tran
    DePaul University
    Allen Turner
    DePaul University
    Carl Varnado
    Black In Gaming
    Dr. Gerald Voorhees
    University of Waterloo