The University of Skövde and Sweden Game Conference celebrates women in game development. On October 15 and 16, the DONNA network welcomes over 50 gamedev students to workshops, lectures and round tables with very special guests, such as Åsa Roos, lead UX designer at BioWare and honorary lecturer at the University of Skövde.
– DONNA was founded at the University of Skövde in 2011 with the intent of making it easier for women to take a place in the gaming industry. By working with the industry, we work for equality and to remove any obstacles that students experience when going out into the job market. DONNA Day facilitates that transition," says Jenny Brusk, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and the main person behind DONNA.
10 mentors from the gaming industry
This year, DONNA Day is organised in collaboration with Sweden Game Arena, Coffee Stain Studios and Star Stable. Together, these organisations are sending 10 established industry mentors, who will host lectures, workshops and roundtables especially for the DONNA members.
– The students will receive tips on how to apply for a job or start their own business, and hear what it is like to work in the gaming industry, especially as a woman. Since the proportion of women in the gaming industry, and in the game development education, is still so small, there is great value in connecting with other women and exchanging experiences, says Jenny Brusk.
DONNA Café at Sweden Game Conference
During Sweden Game Conference, the event location also hosts DONNA Café. Accessible through the expo floor, one storey up, DONNA Café is managed by DONNA students who welcome everyone to a good cup of coffee, cookies and useful activities during the conference.
– Everyone is welcome and our students will be there to create a nice and relaxing environment, says Jenny Brusk.