GRADE member Mikhail Fiadotau went on a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) to University of Jyväskylä, Finland. His visit focused on advancing research into neurodivergent themes and creators within European creative computing, specifically in the gaming industry. The primary goal was to develop an exploratory survey, while an unexpected yet fruitful outcome emerged from collaborating with prominent Finnish researchers.
Key Achievements:
Survey Development: The STSM aimed to design a survey exploring the history of neurodivergent themes and creators in European creative computing. Though the survey’s development took longer due to its complexity and ethical considerations, by the end of the STSM, the survey questions were piloted, and a draft outline for a systematic literature review was completed. The survey will be distributed in early September to allow for follow-up interviews without conflicting with busy academic schedules.
Collaboration and Networking: A significant part of the STSM was spent networking and learning from prominent Finnish researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, including attending research seminars and game studies meetings. The researcher had valuable discussions with scholars such as Veli-Matti Karhulahti, Raine Koskimaa, and Maria Ruotsalainen, alongside additional experts in the field of neurodiversity and gaming.
Academic Enrichment: The stay coincided with opportunities to present the research idea at a seminar in Jyväskylä and receive feedback. Attendance at Tampere’s Spring Seminar, a major annual event in game studies, also expanded networking prospects. Moreover, participation in lectures from researchers involved in the ERC-funded project “Ontological Reconstruction of Gaming Disorder” provided insight relevant to the STSM’s focus.
This STSM advanced research on neurodiversity in creative computing, facilitated key collaborations, and laid the groundwork for an upcoming exploratory survey on a unique and complex topic.