Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The University of Chicago has designated this the Year of Games, recognizing the medium’s growing importance in our culture. Far from being mere entertainment, video games are a powerful and unique arena for creativity and free expression. They allow players to experiment with who they are and express themselves in ways few other media can match—from crafting fantastical avatars to navigating complex, immersive worlds.
Video games reflect every aspect of human experience, from our biases to our ideals. Explore how this vital form of expression intersects with UChicago’s core values of free inquiry and open debate.
Program Speakers:
Michael Franklin
Morton D. Hull Distinguished Service Professor of Computer Science; Senior Adviser to the Provost on Computation and Data Science; Founding Faculty Codirector, Data Science Institute
https://computerscience.uchicago.edu/people/michael-franklin/?s_src=N24220&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGfYjk_tvFo9AzJPSXxhzp9X1roxLSXrZJoTwlOY-CMTzygNzxy8bgBYMbJoKWhF3iToErg0A7SzhgF2yyN-hIzyWAMpfXzZnB8ALO4Q763uBrKPcM
Patrick Jagoda
William Rainey Harper Professor in the Departments of Cinema and Media Studies, English Language and Literature, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the College; Chair, Department of Cinema and Media Studies; Director, Weston Game Lab
https://cms.uchicago.edu/people/patrick-jagoda?s_src=N24220&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGfYjk_tjmJBfXbxZG3TrVkdZoTTdGyGTKgWIrxqqAEu_DrwIN4IeGp6dja5eRS9InrXvl_1OV4I9pgnSCyT3hG6D6X_ZHatnFIqMnqJRfGxGsG7O0
Ashlyn Sparrow
Senior Research Associate, Weston Game Lab
https://civicengagement.uchicago.edu/partners/ashlyn-sparrow?s_src=N24220&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGfYjk_tlEoaPD5ItL2QP1YrJoRtds75EK3bjH2o0-N3S4hWamt9yOI8Ovapoy0AekTU9w5gHy6iZfa9s5BzDx8rC1HiHBqOQtujEbDeGScvjVy99w
Part of the UChicago Harper Lecture Series. Originally recorded in Palo Alto on January 27, 2026.
➡ Subscribe: bit.ly/UCHICAGOytSubscribe
About #UChicago:
Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research. This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholars to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas.
#UChicago on the Web:
Home: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-homepage
News: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-news
Facebook: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-FB
X: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-TW
Instagram: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-IG
University of Chicago on YouTube:
youtube.com/uchicago
***
ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please email digicomm@uchicago.edu.
The University of Chicago has designated this the Year of Games, recognizing the medium’s growing importance in our culture. Far from being mere entertainment, video games are a powerful and unique arena for creativity and free expression. They allow players to experiment with who they are and express themselves in ways few other media can match—from crafting fantastical avatars to navigating complex, immersive worlds.
Video games reflect every aspect of human experience, from our biases to our ideals. Explore how this vital form of expression intersects with UChicago’s core values of free inquiry and open debate.
Program Speakers:
Michael Franklin
Morton D. Hull Distinguished Service Professor of Computer Science; Senior Adviser to the Provost on Computation and Data Science; Founding Faculty Codirector, Data Science Institute
https://computerscience.uchicago.edu/people/michael-franklin/?s_src=N24220&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGfYjk_tvFo9AzJPSXxhzp9X1roxLSXrZJoTwlOY-CMTzygNzxy8bgBYMbJoKWhF3iToErg0A7SzhgF2yyN-hIzyWAMpfXzZnB8ALO4Q763uBrKPcM
Patrick Jagoda
William Rainey Harper Professor in the Departments of Cinema and Media Studies, English Language and Literature, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the College; Chair, Department of Cinema and Media Studies; Director, Weston Game Lab
https://cms.uchicago.edu/people/patrick-jagoda?s_src=N24220&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGfYjk_tjmJBfXbxZG3TrVkdZoTTdGyGTKgWIrxqqAEu_DrwIN4IeGp6dja5eRS9InrXvl_1OV4I9pgnSCyT3hG6D6X_ZHatnFIqMnqJRfGxGsG7O0
Ashlyn Sparrow
Senior Research Associate, Weston Game Lab
https://civicengagement.uchicago.edu/partners/ashlyn-sparrow?s_src=N24220&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGfYjk_tlEoaPD5ItL2QP1YrJoRtds75EK3bjH2o0-N3S4hWamt9yOI8Ovapoy0AekTU9w5gHy6iZfa9s5BzDx8rC1HiHBqOQtujEbDeGScvjVy99w
Part of the UChicago Harper Lecture Series. Originally recorded in Palo Alto on January 27, 2026.
➡ Subscribe: bit.ly/UCHICAGOytSubscribe
About #UChicago:
Since its founding in 1890, the University of Chicago has been a destination for rigorous inquiry and field-defining research. This transformative academic experience empowers students and scholars to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas.
#UChicago on the Web:
Home: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-homepage
News: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-news
Facebook: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-FB
X: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-TW
Instagram: bit.ly/UCHICAGO-IG
University of Chicago on YouTube:
youtube.com/uchicago
***
ACCESSIBILITY: If you experience any technical difficulties with this video or would like to make an accessibility-related request, please email digicomm@uchicago.edu.
