GAME

Learning, Media and Entertainment Research Group

Detail Research lines Funding Publications Collaboration Theses

Date of inception 01 September 2008

Leaders: Daniel Aranda JuarezJordi Sánchez Navarro

Center: Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Social and Cultural Transformations (UOC-TRÀNSIC)

The Research Group GAME is an interdisciplinary team based at the TRÀNSIC research centre of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) and officially recognised as a Consolidated Research Group (GRC) by the Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) (2021 SGR 00654). Our work focuses on the critical analysis of the cultural, social and institutional transformations driven by digitalisation and the platformisation of contemporary media ecosystems. The group structures its activity around three interconnected research areas. The first examines audiovisual cultures, media ecosystems and contemporary imaginaries, analysing shifts in the production, circulation and consumption of content in a context of global platform expansion. The second focuses on video games, digital platforms and critical citizenship, studying phenomena such as gamblification, dark patterns, persuasive design and emerging forms of participation and youth vulnerability in digital environments. The third area investigates strategic communication practices and their impact on publics, with particular attention to mental health, digital well-being, sustainability, corporate social responsibility and ESG criteria. Our research combines quantitative and qualitative methods, platform analysis, reception studies and applied collaboration with public institutions and professional stakeholders. GAME develops competitive projects at regional, national and international levels and maintains stable partnerships with public administrations, media organisations, educational institutions and civil society organisations. The group is committed to knowledge transfer, open science and the development of applied tools -including reports, guidelines, digital platforms and pedagogical resources- aimed at fostering a more critical, inclusive and socially responsible digital transformation. In addition, the group systematically integrates doctoral and early-career researchers, promoting distributed leadership, generational renewal and progressive internationalisation. Our objective is to consolidate GAME as a reference node in Southern Europe in the critical study of digital culture, platforms and responsible communication, contributing to international scientific debate and evidence-based public policy design.