The “What’s in a Name?” series aims to open a doorway to explore issues that affect us every day, and that, ultimately, reverberate through the most intimate aspects of who we are. While we will explore basic tools and name etiquette, with the kindness and respect we all deserve, we intend to reflect about what our names say about us, and how they may be used to define who we are.

Since the early 2000s, the Chinese government has engaged in efforts to control young people’s passion for online gaming, a leisure pursuit commonly referred to as a form of spiritual opium. This past summer the government renewed its commitment to this cause, announcing a new regulation whereby gamers under the age of 18 will be restricted to 3 hours of gameplay per week. Such regulations baffle many. China is home to over 500 million online gamers and considered a leader in the professionalization of competitive gaming, or esports.

In an activity like gaming, which is largely perceived to take place on a virtual or online plane, how might we understand the presence and significance of the human body? How do factors relating to the body – the physical locations in which we play games, the presentation of one’s gender, the invisibility of the body in gaming and esports – impact gaming culture and esports media? Dr. Bae explores these questions through a study of gaming and esports in South Korea and the US. Register here.

Esports have grown exponentially all around the world in the past decade or so. More recently, the pandemic spurred future growth of the game industry and culture especially in East Asian society. The 2022 Asia Pop series—Gamified: Gaming Culture in East Asia starts on Wednesday January 26 at 5 pm EST. The virtual keynote lecture by Dr. Dal Yong Jin, Distinguished Professor at Simon Fraser University will focus on the emergence and transformation of Korean eSports culture from the perspective of the spectators.

Spring semester 2022 Educators Advisory Board meeting

Join Vera Heinz cohorts Ambria Richardson, Bridgit Smith, Monique Hurlock, and Ty'Anne Nelson and guests discuss the importance of learning a second language

Emily Olmstead is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Global Studies Certificate. She serves as Program Coordinator at American Councils for International Education, Tajikistan and possesses diverse global work experience. Emily is experienced in language instruction, development, and youth work, with an interest in international education, gender equality, and human rights. She will discuss her career experiences as well as insight navigating changes in global work from a currently remote position.

Dr. Abdesalam Soudi serves as Professor, Cultural Competence Consultant, and Cultural and Linguistic Competence Master’s Course Co-Director, Family Medicine Department at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and University of Pittsburgh. He is a Sociolinguist recognized for several scholarly accomplishments in Conversation Analysis, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity, Arabic Linguistics, Electronic Health Records, Cultural Competency in medical practice. He leads a cross-disciplinary Humanities in Health initiative (HinH).

Dr. Priya Sirohi discusses her career as professor, writer, researcher, and scholar of cultural rhetoric. Her research conducts case studies between the English East India Company and Mughal India, to illuminate the significance of Early Modern economics that continue to define contemporary globalization. She holds a doctorate from Purdue University with secondary concentrations in Public Rhetoric and Cultural Rhetoric

“Lee” Lenora Dingus, employed at Pearson Education, an international education conglomerate, shares her thoughts on inclusivity, diversity, and being Haudenosaunee in Pittsburgh. She has served in federal positions within Veteran’s Affairs, the IRS, and the Social Security Administration. Her people, who have always been located around the greater Tri-State area, believe that culture stems from women, and have had many women leaders, as Clan Mothers, Faith Keepers, Medicine Women, and politicians.