Play for the Planet Network

Co-lead: Lynda Dunlop 
Department of Education

Co-lead: Prasad Sandbhor
Department of Computer Science

Co-lead: Pen Holland
Department of Biology

Co-lead: Judith Krauss
Department of Politics and International Relations

Co-lead: Anna Morfitt
Environmental Sustainability at York

Co-lead: Daisy Kemp
Environmental Sustainability at York

Join the Network

Connecting Game Designers, Researchers, and Educators to Tackle Planetary Crises Through Play

The Play for the Planet Network is a collaborative initiative based at the University of York, bringing together game designers, researchers, and educators who are passionate about addressing planetary crises through the power of play. Our mission is to explore a diverse range of playful materials—such as digital games, interactive narratives, simulations, and more—as tools for modelling, stimulating discussion, fostering learning, and building connections. We delve into various forms of play, including digital, tabletop (board, card, and role-playing games), physical, and hybrid play, to discover how these mediums can create pleasure, enhance learning, aid decision-making, and deepen empathy towards people, places, and our planet.

Why Play for the Planet Matters

Environmental crises like climate change, chemical pollution, and biodiversity loss can feel overwhelming and induce eco-anxiety. However, games offer a unique and enjoyable way to explore these challenges, envision futures, and connect with others. By engaging with games, we can investigate responses to planetary crises on multiple levels—from systemic political decisions to individual lifestyle choices. Despite their potential, environmental games remain under-researched, with most studies focusing primarily on knowledge acquisition. Our network aims to shift this focus by examining the design and evaluation of games as simulations, imaginative futures, provocations, facilitation tools, and activism. We aspire to foster research and impactful collaborations that raise awareness and inspire action on environmental issues.

Why Now?

The urgency of climate action has never been greater, and it is crucial to find engaging and enjoyable ways to address environmental challenges. According to the recently launched "Britain Talks Climate" report, people prefer not to face climate change alone. Games provide a means of connecting people around common themes, breaking down large problems, and incentivising real or imagined actions towards achieving goals. Numerous games and interactive artefacts focusing on environmental themes are being developed and evaluated globally. By joining the Play for the Planet Network, you will contribute to the expanding pool of knowledge and resources aimed at tackling these urgent issues.

Our Collaborative Efforts

The Play for the Planet Network is led by coordinators from a range of disciplines including social sciences (Education and Politics), sciences (Biology and Computer Science), and support teams from YESI and ESAY. We successfully organized the "Play for the Planet'' conference at the University of York, which featured participation from academics across various departments: Biology, Environment and Geography, Stockholm Environment Institute, Education, Sociology, Computer Science, Arts and Creative Technologies, Health Sciences, Business and Society, and more. External participants included academics, artists, and game developers from institutions such as the University of Cumbria, University of the Arts London, King's College London, University of Northumbria, and organisations like Beesknees Games, Megaverse, St Nick's, and FloodSkinner. This network exists to facilitate collaboration, ongoing communication and planning future projects.

Join us in harnessing the power of play to create a more sustainable and connected world. Let's tackle planetary crises together, one game at a time.

Upcoming Events

Board Games at York Environment Festival: Carbon City Zero. Saturday 3 October 2026, 3pm to 6pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map)

Climate Fresk workshop: York Environment Festival. Learn the causes and consequences of climate change with this interactive session. Open to all as part of York Environment Festival 2026. Wednesday 7 October 2026, 1.30pm to 4.30pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map).

Conservation game playtest with Mazaza Games. Join an exclusive development and play-testing session for a new strategy board game telling the story of beaver introduction in the UK! Wednesday 7 October 2026, 6pm to 8pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map). 

Board Games at York Environment Festival: Catan New Energies. Saturday 10 October 2026, 3pm to 6pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map). 

Board Games at York Environment Festival: Daybreak. Saturday 17 October 2026, 3pm to 6pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map).

Board Games at York Environment Festival: Kyoto. Saturday 24 October 2026, 3pm to 6pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map).

Climate Fresk workshop: York Environment Festival. Learn the causes and consequences of climate change with this interactive session. Open to all as part of York Environment Festival 2026. Wednesday 28 October 2026, 1.30pm to 4.30pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map).

Climate Fresk facilitator training. Wednesday 25 November 2026, 1.30pm to 5pm. In-person only
Sustainability Clinic, Campus West, University of York (Map).

Outputs

Dunlop, L., Joucoski, E., & Sandbhor, P. (2025). Learning through play? What board games reveal and conceal about climate change. Environmental Education Research, 1–21.

How a new online game helps imagine life on Earth in 2100, The Conversation, October 22, 2025. Lynda Dunlop (Dept of Education/ESAY) and Steven Forrest, Lecturer in Flood Resilience, University of Hull

Play for the planet: five climate change games for the festive season, The Converstion, 18 December. Lynda Dunlop (Dept of Education/ESAY) and Prasad Sandbhor (Dept of Computer Sciences/iGGi)