The 2022 UNLOCK Conference is now closed!

A big THANK YOU to all the speakers for sharing with us their knowledge and experience in this field, making this event a huge success! Thank you also to all of you that joined in to learn and share ideas.

Below, you will find video recordings of the Conference, and details about programme, speakers and other relavant information.

Watch the video recordings of the Conference!​

coming soon
​Day 1_track 1_full day
​
Day 1_track 2_Good practice case presentations Challenge-based learning in action
Day 2_track 1_full day
​Day 1_launching of UNLOCK's MOOC
​
Day 1_track 2_Challenge-based learning didactics and implications
​
Day 2_PenQuest: A Digital Cyber Defense Game for Higher Education
​Day 1_track 2_Educational Serious Games design and implications
​
Day 2_track 2_Collaborative and Practical Education

Learn more about the 2022 UNLOCK Conference!


> What is the conference about?
This autumn, on the 28th and 29th of November, the UNLOCK consortium organises an international conference focusing on games-based and challenge-based learning approaches in Higher Education Institutes, aiming to unlock students’ creativity and design thinking, as well as foster entrepreneurial skills through innovative teaching.

> What submissions do you accept?
For the conference, we will welcome research-based abstracts, good practice cases and workshops under the theme of different innovative pedagogies. Keep scrolling to explore the different themes and topics of focus and submission guidelines. Submissions are open till the 16th of October.

> Where will the conference take place?
The conference will be held ONLINE.

Innovative pedagogies we focus on:

​
  • Serious games and Game-based learning
  • Creative digitalisation of learning and e-Learning experiences
  • Collaborative and Challenge-based learning
  • Next-generation entrepreneurial teaching
  • Etc.

Topics:


​In your submission you can explore, but not be limited by, the following topics:
  • Innovative educator profiles: competencies, skills, attitudes and their professional development;
  • Gaining institutional support for implementing innovative teaching methods;
  • Understanding and boosting student readiness for innovative teaching methods;
  • Overcoming challenges in curriculum integration and learning outcomes alignment;
  • Rethinking assessment of learning outcomes;
  • Measuring the impact of innovative teaching practices on students and educators;
  • 21st-century entrepreneurial skills toolbox, and
  • Surprise us with another topic that UNLOCKed your students’ creativity in and beyond the classroom!

Types of Submissions 

Good Practice Cases
Have you developed, integrated or successfully practised innovative initiatives in line with the themes of the conference?
​
Present your outstanding case study and qualify for a nomination for the Impactful Good Practices Award. 

If interested, find here the Good-practice cases Guidelines.
Research-based Extended Abstracts
Have you undertaken research on one of the conference’s themes and topics? Share your insights with us!

Submit your extended abstract* to share your findings at the conference. The best submissions will be nominated for the Outstanding Research Award.
​
If interested, find here the Research-based abstract Guidelines.
Workshop Proposals​
Would you like to run an interactive workshop for your peers on game- and challenge-based learning pedagogies or any of the other themes of the conference?
​
Submit your proposal and gain a 1.5h slot at the conference. Host your workshop for a nomination for a Learning Spaces Award.

If interested, find here the Workshop proposal Guidelines.

The deadline for all submissions is the 16th of October, 11.59 pm CET.
* Extended abstracts submitted under all pedagogy domains will be published as conference proceedings. Selected abstracts under the “Serious Games and Game-based learning” pedagogy domain will be eligible to be submitted as full-form papers in a Special Issue by the “Sustainability Journal.” Submissions for the special issue will open in early 2023.

Who should participate? 


​Whether you are an HEI faculty, staff or leadership professional, this conference is for both less experienced and seasoned HEI professionals, who are enthusiastic to raise the next generation of curious, motivated and critical students. We welcome lecturers, curriculum designers, researchers, program coordinators, university counsellors, education policy developers, lifelong learning educators, education advisers, open learning specialists... and anyone else passionate about ensuring that HEIs are ready to realise their full potential in embracing pedagogies that foster 21st-century skills.

Why should you attend?


  • To access a mixture of theory and practice: Learn about the latest research and good practice cases on creative and innovative teaching of educational tools, but also participate in game-based learning workshops, to be better equipped to develop further tools that motivate learning.
  • To network with like-minded innovators: Be inspired to drive change at your HEI through interaction and networking with similarly passionate professionals to realise the future of innovative learning environments.
  • To be recognised by your peers: To celebrate and recognise the innovative community of educators and their contributions to advancing HEI education, we introduce three UNLOCK Innovative Teaching Awards. During the conference, research-based abstracts will be nominated for the Outstanding Research Award, good practice cases for the Impactful Good Practices Award, and workshops for the Learning Spaces Award. We will also publish the conference speakers’ abstracts in our UNLOCK Conference Proceeding Chapter.

Keynote Speakers


​Don't miss the panel discussion on November 28th on "Future Trends & Innovation in University Educational Practice" and learn from higher education experts Daniela Pavan (Innovation Designer at Ca'Foscari University in Venice), Pablo Andrés Ortiz de Zaldumbide (Serious Game Designer at Erasmus X), Neil Fox (Associate Professor of Film Practice and Pedagogy at Falmouth University) and Balzhan Orazbayeva (Manager Strategic Initiatives at UIIN) on their approach to adopting gamified and challenge-based teaching methods to strengthen employability, creativity and new professional pathways.

​
Don't miss the panel discussion on November 29th on "Design of EduGames: perspectives from the Game industry & University" and learn from game designers and game-based learning experts Zina Delyagina (Director and Experience designer at Questomatica Escape Experiences), Mattheos Kakaris (Director at ATERMON B.V.), Rajiv Vaid Basaiawmoit (Head of Sci-tech Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Aarhus University) and Andrey Dyachenko (Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator at University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN)) on their approach on game-based teaching methods as a practice to strengthen employability, creativity and new professional pathways.
​
​The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.