Dr Matthew Whitby talks about his experiences in going from a games-based PhD into a game design role in industry, touching on how the two compare and (in stereotypical click-bait fashion) five skills that could help anyone going through a similar transition. The talk is planned to be a candid discussion of what life can be like, both good and bad.
Matthew Whitby is a Graduate Games Designer, currently working at Rebellion North on Speedball (2025). Previously a PhD student at the University of York, with a thesis focused on exploring how games can be used to challenge our perspectives (how we think or feel). His research has been used to create a white paper focused on how developers can design games to challenge stigmatized perspectives surrounding mental health challenges. Outside of the games industry and academia, he's self-published over 50 TTRPG supplemental books.