“We decided to focus the discussion on a specific aspect of gaming — games that tackle real-world themes and topics,” said Celia Pearce (Gamasutra, March 29, 2007), assistant professor in the School of Literature, Communication and Culture (LCC) and lead organizer of Living Game Worlds. “There's a growing understanding that games can be about more than ‘just entertainment,' but like film documentaries, can open people's eyes to serious issues.” Tech faculty participated in panel sessions throughout the day, including Professor Janet Murray, LCC Graduate Program Director, and Assistant LCC Professor Ian Bogost, a founding partner Persuasive Games, a company that produces serious games. Speaking during an afternoon panel, representatives from the serious games community sounded off on the recent controversial expulsion of Super Columbine Massacre RPG! from the 2007 Slamdance event. The panel, titled “Playing with Controversy: The Case of Super Columbine Massacre” featured insight from USC Interactive Media Program's Tracey Fullerton and Ian Bogost, as well as Slamdance competition organizer Sam Roberts, all of whom seemed to agree that that the removal of Super Columbine Massacre RPG! from the 2007 Slamdance event was “symbolic of a cultural misunderstanding of this medium.”

However, despite this, both Bogost and Fullerton called out the controversial removal of Super Columbine Massacre RPG! from the event as “shortsighted” and “hypocritical.” “It made for a less involved festival, “ Bogost added. “I was actually happy to see games like fl0w pull themselves out as a recognition of solidarity. It's a helpful gesture pushing forth the idea of media literacy.”

Freedom of expression was recognized as the central issue on everyone's mind following the removal of Super Columbine Massacre, though the panelists each echoed concerns that a game's potential motivations or agenda is also worth consideration.

As part of her research on water and sanitation in developing countries, Susan Cozzens, Professor, School of Public Policy, recently toured the Guandu Water Treatment Plant in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cozzens also plans to investigate how communities in developing countries share their knowledge. She will conduct case studies in urban and rural locations in four countries— Mozambique, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Brazil —to answer these questions.

“There's a research front out there, but we still need to think innovatively about problems with water supply and sanitation in developing countries,” Cozzens said. “Even though there's only a little bit of social science (research) literature on water supply and sanitation, about half of it is about developing countries.”

Cozzens' goal is to provide insight to international and local water authorities in developing countries on how to set the right conditions for people to learn and solve the problems of unsafe water and sanitation. This insight will come from studying the limitations of research knowledge in relation to this problem and studying communities in the developing world that have solved the problem, she added.

Sung will be presented the award and $2500 Prize at the Student Honors Luncheon on April 17th. The award was established by Charlotte Ferst to honor her husband, Alvin, who graduated from Georgia Tech in 1943 and was a long-time member of the Alumni Association and the Georgia Tech Foundation boards.

US State Department Selects INTA Grad Student

Spencer, who previously lived in South Korea studying the language, politics, and culture of the region, has been working as a Graduate Assistant for Dr. John Endicott and CISTP while focusing on issues involving the Korean Peninsula and East Asia. As a part of the North Korea Student Task Force, Spencer helped author and present a proposal concerning the nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula to the DPRK deputy ambassador to the UN when the ambassador visited Georgia Tech in December, 2006.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Serafine is from Marietta, Georgia and is currently in her third year at Georgia Tech. At the Capitol, she is an intern for Senator Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), president pro tempore of the Senate. Lizzie is a member of the Georgia Tech Ambassadors, Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, the Student Government Association Elections Committee, and FASET Orientation Cabinet. She plans to graduate with a degree in International Affairs, a Public Policy minor and a certificate in European Affairs. After graduating, she plans to enter the Teach for America Corps for two years, then attend law school or graduate school concentrating on non-profit organizations.

Michael Ng is a fourth year Public Policy student from Atlanta, and is serving as an intern with the House Appropriations Committee. In addition, Michael has written for the Technique, worked as a disc jockey at the student radio station, WREK, and is a member of the Chinese Student Association. After graduation, he plans to attend law school in the northeast or on the west coast.

Taylor Chapman is a third year Public Policy student, who is also pursuing a minor in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech. She is originally from Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Taylor currently works for Senator Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Working with Dr. Richard Barke, professor of Public Policy, she researched policies regulating institutional review boards. A member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Taylor plans to attend law school after graduation.

A senior majoring in International Affairs, Chris Lynch is an intern in the office of Senator Judson Hill (R-Marietta) where he is working on issues regarding health care reform. Chris has a longtime interest in domestic and international political events and is now focusing his studies on East Asia. Toward that end, he is learning to speak Chinese and is already fluent in Spanish. After graduation in May, Chris will work for a consulting firm in Atlanta.

Matt Peeples is a third year Economics and International Affairs major from Eastman, Georgia. In the General Assembly, he is working at the Senate Budget Office. At Georgia Tech, Matt serves as the Sophomore Class President, and is a member of the Student Lobby Board, Theta Xi Fraternity, and Campus Crusade for Christ. He is currently a candidate for Student Body Vice President. After graduation, Matt would like to work at the state Capitol or in Washington, DC and then go to law school.