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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · 18d

My inaugural lecture for Northumbria University, State of Play: A History of Playful Learning in Ten Video Games, will be on 15 October 2025 online and in-person. All welcome.

Guest appearance by everyone's favourite badger and drinks somewhere afterwards.

www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/new...

State of Play: A history of Playful Learning in 10 Video Games

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Jul 17

We did some stuff years ago looking at different motivations people have for ARG game play - but didn’t related it to personality types. Personally I’m an antisocial puzzle-solver who also hates badges.

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Reposted by Nic Whitton

Alex Moseley @alexm11.bsky.social · May 23

Mine and @nicwhitton.bsky.social 's 'unconventional' case for playfulness in HE leadership: wonkhe.com/blogs/the-ca...

The case for playful leadership

Openness, creativity, honesty, humility - Nic Whitton and Alex Moseley make the counterintuitive case for playfulness in higher education leadership

wonkhe.com

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · May 14

Really excited to have been awarded a significant grant from the ESRC to investigate playful learning in higher education.

Three years to explore play with amazing people. Happy days 😀

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · May 14

Northumbria’s Professor @nicwhitton.bsky.social is working with universities across the UK to lead an ESRC-funded research project exploring the benefits of more interactive and playful approaches to learning in higher education.
Full story here: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/new...

New research could enhance the future of teaching in higher education

Academics from universities across the UK are about to launch a research project which could lead to changes in how higher education is taught – with a move away from traditional lectures in favour of...

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Reposted by Nic Whitton

Northumbria University @northumbriauni.bsky.social · May 14

Northumbria’s Professor @nicwhitton.bsky.social is working with universities across the UK to lead an ESRC-funded research project exploring the benefits of more interactive and playful approaches to learning in higher education.
Full story here: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/new...

New research could enhance the future of teaching in higher education

Academics from universities across the UK are about to launch a research project which could lead to changes in how higher education is taught – with a move away from traditional lectures in favour of...

www.northumbria.ac.uk

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · May 13

They really missed a trick with the placement of sweet treats on that advert

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · May 13

Absolutely loved this game - not often you come across something so original and clever

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · May 12

Are these your cats or All The Cats?

Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · May 9

Today I managed to co-ordinate the diaries of senior colleagues at six different universities to schedule a two-day workshop less than six months in the future.

I think I might just have reached the pinnacle of academic achievement.

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · May 3

Number of bits of paper containing random notes = 412

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Apr 30

Excellent work

Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Apr 30

I just found this image in my ChatGPT image creation history. I have no memory of creating it, and no idea what I asked for, or more crucially why.

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Apr 1

We have a programme and two awesome keynotes 😀🎈.

The Research in Digital Learning in Higher Education Conference is open for bookings.

hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk/ridlhe/

Come and join us in Newcastle 3-4 September 2025.

Early bird closes 1 May 2025. Please share.

RIDLHE Conference -

Research in Digital Learning in Higher Education is a new conference, launching on 3rd-4th September 2025 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk

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Reposted by Nic Whitton

Andrew Walsh @playbrarian.uk · Mar 31

Journal of Play in Adulthood is now on Bluesky, follow to (mainly) see our lovely articles!

Journal of Play in Adulthood @playjournal.bsky.social · Mar 28

It might be a little while before we start posting, but hello all! We're the Journal of Play in Adulthood, a diamond open access journal. More to follow soon... www.journalofplayinadulthood.org.uk

The Journal of Play in Adulthood

www.journalofplayinadulthood.org.uk

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Mar 10

According to the smaller person, any preparation more than 10 minutes in advance is unnecessary and sad

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Feb 4

Only five days to go before the paper submission deadline for the first Research in Digital Learning in Higher Education Conference on 9 Feb 2025.

lnkd.in/eGd7yPFW

Want to submit something but can't meet the deadline? We can be flexible - please talk to me before Sunday.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

lnkd.in

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Jan 14

Brilliant. If you DM me you email address I will put you on this list.

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Jan 13

Me and @playbrarian.uk are looking to expand our existing pool of amazing reviewers for the Journal of Play in Adulthood. Please drop us a line if you're interested or want to know more. We offer support, infinite gratitude, and AI-generated haikus on request.

www.journalofplayinadulthood.org.uk

The Journal of Play in Adulthood

www.journalofplayinadulthood.org.uk

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Jan 8

Less than a month to go until the deadline for submissions for our new conference exploring critical perspectives on Research in Digital Learning. The submissions system is now open.

Please share 😀

hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk/ridlhe/

RIDLHE Conference -

Research in Digital Learning in Higher Education is a new conference, launching on 3rd-4th September 2025 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

hosting2.northumbria.ac.uk

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Jan 2

God-like 😂

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Dec 13

Come an join us to start some critical conversations about education and technology in universities in the North East. All welcome but places limited.

Cristina Costa @cristinacost.bsky.social · Dec 12

@nicwhitton.bsky.social and I will be hosting a CSET 2025 – Critical studies of education and technology meeting in Durham on the 21st February, 2025 (this event is globally organised by @neilselwyn.bsky.social ). Free registration is now open www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cset-2025-...

CSET 2025 – Critical studies of education and technology

Researchers from the NorthEast are invited to a local academic meeting focused on ‘Problematising education and digital technology'

www.eventbrite.co.uk

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Dec 6

Ooooooh look at the exciting thing that arrived this morning

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Nov 20

Welcome to the party. Help yourself to prosecco.

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Nov 19

There’s snur up north.

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Nic Whitton @nicwhitton.bsky.social · Nov 15

Wishing you would stop painting your frescos