From Play to Practice: Games as Tools for Understanding Neurodiversity and Wellbeing

This talk presents the games-based research programme developed by Dr Gray Atherton and Dr Liam Cross, which explores how play can be used to understand cognition, identity, and wellbeing, particularly within neurodivergent communities. Bringing together work across experimental psychology, education, and applied design, the talk highlights how games offer unique environments for studying and supporting social and cognitive processes. The session will draw on multiple strands of research, including studies examining the overlap between autism and board gaming, which suggest that structured and rule-based play can offer meaningful spaces for engagement, problem solving, and community. It will also introduce work using Dixit within the PSHE curriculum, demonstrating how games can support communication, perspective taking, and discussion of complex social topics in educational settings. Expanding into applied research, the talk will present the development of the Rolling Well conference as a platform for exploring tabletop role playing games as tools for wellbeing, bringing together researchers, clinicians, educators, and industry collaborators. Alongside this, it will explore NeuroGenesis, a research-driven board game designed to model and communicate neurodivergent traits through cooperative play. Together, these projects illustrate how games can move beyond entertainment to become tools for research, education, and intervention. The talk will argue for a broader role of games within psychology and allied fields, positioning play as a powerful medium for generating insight, building understanding, and supporting inclusive practice.

Entry to this event is included with your UKGE entry ticket. Please have yours with you when you attend, or you will be refused entry. 

There are no reserved seating for this event, please arrive early and enjoy the wonderful British tradition of queuing to avoid disappointment.