Hi, I'm Kathleen Morrissey!

I am...

A researcher. 

My research exists between the cultural/critical and qualitative paradigms. I explore how games represent and reshape sociocultural realities, with a particular focus on consent.  Check out Consensual Play, a special issue I edited for The Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds

A game designer.

I co-directed Memoirscape, an anti-escape room that debuted at FDG '24, and received a nomination at IndieCade '24. My team was interviewed by Boston Post Mortem!

A game enthusiast! 

I was interviewed by fellow game designer, Keith Burgun, about my experience presenting my paper on Consensual Play at 'ALT4 + F4: Rebooting Community after Gamergate,' directing Memoirscape, and my chapter on Final Fantasy VII.

A writer. 

Beyond academic writing, I maintain a personal blog where I explore experimental essays and ideas that don’t quite fit anywhere else.  Pixels & Paradigms!

A student. 

I am a Ph.D. student in the Computational Media program at WPI, housed within the Interactive Media and Game Design department. I am the graduate student representative for the Steering Committee, as well as a member of the Graduate Student Council. Check out my profile!

An artist. 

My goal is to collaborate with fellow scholars and creators to imagine a more just, caring future, drawing inspiration from the solarpunk philosophy. I design experimental, immersive experiences, digital assets, and concept art. 

Lately, I’ve been exploring code as a medium of expression—one that bridges the gap between art, interaction, and systems thinking.