Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Dr. Ruth Shillair presented at TPRC54, the Research Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy at American University, Washington, DC. Her presentation was titled, "Avoiding AI Fear Responses: Turning FOMO and FOBO into Democratically Driven Dynamic Use." 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Congratulations to undergraduate students Chris Currier and Faith Fischer, who were selected as Game Audio Network Guild Scholars and will attend GameSoundCon 2026 this October! 011
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Our own Jean Hardy was interviewed by WLNS News, where he discusses the legal limitations and concerns faced by those with incoming data centers. www.wlns.com/news/local-n...wlns.comExpert: Some data center concerns valid, others overblownData centers have become a hot topic of public discussion, but experts say that while some concerns surrounding data centers are valid, others may be exaggerated. 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Gabriel Hales' article, “Screen time guidelines for kids and adolescents have shifted as research paints a more nuanced picture” has been published in The Conversation. theconversation.com/screen-time-...theconversation.comScreen time guidelines for kids and adolescents have shifted as research paints a more nuanced pictureStudies increasingly show that how kids are using screens is more important than the exact amount of time they’re spending on them – and parents and caregivers tend to know what’s best for their famil... 011
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 26/06/2026Congratulations to three of our faculty for their promotions! Dr. Susan Wyche was promoted to Full Professor, Dr. Jean Hardy to Associate Professor with Tenure, and Dr. Ryan Thompson to Associate Professor! 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 05/06/2026Dr. Jean Hardy, who studies rural computing and technology development, was quoted in a recent Detroit News story about the effect data centers have on rural areas. Dr. Hardy discussed the pros and cons a data center that size can have on the surrounding areas. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...detroitnews.comOpenAI's Sam Altman says Michigan data center a 'huge bet' on AITech billionaire Sam Altman visited the site of a multi-billion-dollar data center his OpenAI is constructing with Oracle near Ann Arbor. 011
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 22/05/2026Please join us in welcoming our newest game development faculty member, Peter Guenther! His background includes programming, user experience, Unity, tabletop games, and alternative/accessible controllers for gaming devices. 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 05/05/2026Celeste Campos-Castillo and Susan Bonner are working to improve how mental health is assessed among autistic adolescents by redesigning screening tools to be more accessible, precise and inclusive. comartsci.msu.edu/about/newsro...comartsci.msu.eduMedia and Information faculty develop more accessible mental health screening tool for autistic adolescents | Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and SciencesAs April marks Autism Awareness Month, faculty in the Department of Media and Information (M&I) are working to improve how mental health is assessed among autistic adolescents by redesigning screening... 041
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 04/05/2026Congratulations to Professor Brian Winn, who won the 2026 IndieCade Horizons Excellence Award for Teaching! 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 24/04/2026The Michigan State University GameDev Showcase returns for spring, 2026! Join us Thursday, April 30 from 4:30-6:30pm first in Studio D (room 134D), then in room 154 ComArtSci. Learn about and play games the students made during the semester! 020
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 10/04/2026Dr. Ryan Thompson, our resident musicologist, discusses his Twitch stream, “Ludomusicology Thursdays,” his role at MSU, and the nomination for a Game Audio Network Guild Award for Best Game Audio Presentation, Podcast or Broadcast. msutoday.msu.edu/news/2026/03... @bardicknowledge.bsky.socialmsutoday.msu.eduFaculty voice: Bridging video games, music and academia on TwitchRyan Thompson, assistant professor of media and information, shares how streaming on Twitch and has grown into a meaningful space for community building and public musicology. 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 03/04/2026Meaningful Play, the international conference for designing and studying games that matter, is back for 2026! The conference will take place October 13-15, 2026 at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA. event.fourwaves.com/meaningfulpl... #meaningfulplay #gamedesign #seriousgames 020
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 01/04/2026Congratulations to Dr. Jean Hardy, who is a recipient of the MSU Teacher-Scholar Award! The awards are given to faculty who have earned the respect of their students & colleagues for their devotion to & skill in teaching, & whose instruction is linked to their research & creative activities. 030
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 31/03/2026We are pleased to announce that Ph.D. student Angie Nam was awarded the James H. Quello Scholarship! This well‑deserved recognition reflects Angie’s outstanding research and dedication to advancing knowledge in her field. 030
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 27/03/2026Congratulations to Ashley Wilson, who received this year’s ComArtSci Staff Impact Award! This award recognizes support staff who have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment. Thank you for all that you do, Ashley! 030
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 26/03/2026Dr. Jean Hardy was quoted in The Detroit News about a potential data center project in Detroit. www.yahoo.com/news/article...yahoo.comData center proposed on Detroit's east sideData center proposed on Detroit's east side even as city officials consider 2-year freeze on building such facilities. 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 16/03/2026Play the next generation of games created by MSU student developers and regional game studios! At this interactive playtest event, teams will showcase beta versions of their games. Thursday, April 9, 5:00-6:30PM, MSU Museum Auditorium. RSVP: luma.com/dodepqxi #gamedesignluma.comPress Start: Playtest the Future of Games · LumaBe among the first to play the next generation of games created by Michigan State University student developers and regional game studios. At this interactive… 001
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 18/02/2026We're seeking to hire an in-person, full-time Professor of Practice in Games & Interactive Media. We envision an experienced game developer/programmer with a compelling portfolio and vision of the contributions creative work can make! #gamedevjobs #programming careers.msu.edu/jobs/special...careers.msu.eduSpecialist - Teacher-Fixed Term - East Lansing, Michigan, United StatesWorking/Functional Title Professor of Practice - Games & Interactive Media Position Summary The Department of Media and Information (M&I) at Michigan State University (MSU) seeks to hire an in... 021
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 02/02/2026Dr. Susan Wyche was awarded $35k through the U.S. Department of State’s IDEAS Program, a capacity-building initiative that supports international education partnerships, for a collaborative project between MSU & Kenya’s Egerton University focused on human-centered technology development. 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 28/01/2026Dr. Susan Wyche will give an invited talk at Georgia Tech's Institute for People and Technology (IPaT). She'll discuss "Accompaniment in Human-Centered Design: From Digital Interventions to Community and Dialogue." For more information, see: research.gatech.edu/ipat/lunch-l... 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 13/01/2026Students are invited to apply for the Westcoast Experience @ Meaningful XR, May 28 to June 1, 2026 (applications due Jan 25). Apply here: bit.ly/wemx26app More info here: www.spartie.org/service/west... 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 09/01/2026Our own Keith Hampton was quoted in Futurity for his research and insight into how digital technologies shape social connection and community life. www.futurity.org/social-media...futurity.orgHow social media shapes echo chambersA new study looks at how social media can make echo chambers stronger or weaker. 021
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 05/01/2026Ricardo Guimaraes put the "practice" in Professor of Practice! Here is his process as he sketches, applies flat colors, and then fully paints a fantasy world dwarf. 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 19/12/2025Congratulations to Drs. Ryan Thompson, Dana Plank, Julianne Grasso, & Karen Cook, for “Ludomusicology Thursday Episode 296: Shadow of the Colossus (featuring Damian Kastbauer)”, nominated for Best Game Audio Presentation, Podcast, or Broadcast in the Game Audio Network Guild awards!youtube.comLudomusicology Thursday #296: Shadow of the ColossusYouTube video by Ryan Thompson 042
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 17/12/2025Student-led Brava Games is working on a game called Guilds of Greybrook, which is set to release in two months. Here, team members (from left) Rachel Tiv, Dani Cervera, Lil Marsh and Sean Hughes visited the Grand Rapids Comic Con as a studio. 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 10/12/2025MediaInfo's Keith Hampton led a study which explores how social media strengthens or weakens echo chambers. The study focused on social media use & attitudes of young people who leave rural areas to attend university & the attitudes of their parents who stay behind. msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/12...msutoday.msu.eduMSU study: How social media shapes tolerance and echo chambersA Michigan State University study explores how social media influences echo chambers, network diversity and social tolerance among rural college students and their parents during the transition to uni... 021
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 03/12/2025Join us Thursday, December 11, 4-6PM in rooms 147 & 154 ComArtSci for the fall MSU GameDev Showcase! 030
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 24/11/2025PhD Student Highlight: Yiming Skylar Lei studies how cooperation and competition unfold in online environments and how communication technologies create new interdependence structures that shape social interaction, decision-making, and collective behavior. #phdstudent 030
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 11/11/2025Nov. 12-14, MSU will serve as a host site for the 2025 Esports Research Network Conference, a 3-day, non-stop digital event where #esports research meets the frontier of digital society. Catch all the talks FOR FREE live on Twitch. Full conference details: esportsresearch.net/category/ern...esportsresearch.netERNC 2025 Archives - Esports Research Network 011
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 05/11/2025Congratulations to 2017 Media & Information alumna Zina Fattah, who illustrated the cover and designed the interior layout for Why the Birds Fly Back, a children's book by Akosua Harvey! 020
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Students in MI 445: Game Design and Development spent seven weeks developing original Halloween-themed games. Among 8 unique creations, one standout, Trickstir, impressed faculty with its fun, casual puzzle design and broad appeal. Play it now: langstonian.itch.io/trickstir #gamedevlangstonian.itch.ioTrickstir by Langstonian, Bob Wilson, Vivek Kilari, Washtubbu, piotrasz, GossSydA rotation puzzle game about brewing the ultimate potion 072
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 28/10/2025This year, Dr. Ryan Thompson will present at the MSU Esports Research Network Conference hosted by Seth Jenny, Amanda Cote, and Jonathan Eaton -- his talk is entitled, "How to Get Somebody Jumpin': Music, Community, and Canon in Modern Esports Titles." 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 16/10/2025MediaInfo MA student Jesse Sanderson won a Silver Medal in the Serious Games by Students category from the Serious Play Conference! The award-winning game, Braille Bistro, is a matching game designed to build empathy among sighted people for persons with disabilities. Read more: bit.ly/3Wa5CKB 020
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 06/10/2025Our own Dr. Amanda Cote was quoted in the AP News article, "How Electronic Arts’ $55 billion go-private deal could impact the video game industry": apnews.com/article/elec...apnews.comHow Electronic Arts' $55 billion go-private deal could impact the video game industryIn what could become the largest-ever buyout funded by private equity, video game maker Electronic Arts has agreed to be acquired in a deal valued at $55 billion. 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 30/09/2025We're seeking a postdoctoral fellow! The Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Initiative welcomes dynamic and innovative scholar-educators who, upon successful completion of their postdoctoral fellowship, will matriculate to a tenure-track assistant professor position. bit.ly/MIpostdoc #postdoc #academiabit.lyResearch Associate-Fixed Term - East Lansing, Michigan, United StatesPosition Summary The Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences (ComArtSci) seeks a postdoctoral fellow to join its faculty, which... 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 16/09/2025Congratulations to doctoral candidate Gabriel Hales, who gave an informative interview about his research. This project examines screen time vs. academic achievement. Gabriel worked alongside Dr. Keith Hampton. www.clickondetroit.com/video/news/2...clickondetroit.comMichigan State study finds screen time may boost academic achievementA study at Michigan State University has investigated the effects of screen time on students' academic performance, specifically analyzing SAT scores from over 2,500 students. The research discovered ... 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 15/09/2025The 25th Gamedev Anniversary Celebration was a hit! The event kicked off on Friday with two alumni panels (Gamedev and Gamedev-adjacent), tours, student games, and more. Saturday, we enjoyed a tailgate with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as we ate treats and played Plunder Panic! 050
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 09/09/2025The 25th Anniversary Celebration of our Game Design programs takes place this week, on September 12 and 13! Visit gamedev.msu.edu/25yearannive... for the Friday afternoon tours and Saturday tailgate schedule. 050
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 03/09/2025New research from doctoral candidate Gabriel E. Hales and Dr. Keith N. Hampton challenges the assumption that unstructured time spent on digital media is inherently harmful or unproductive. msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/09...msutoday.msu.eduMSU study: Screen time aids learning, but gender gaps remainMSU study finds digital media can boost academic skills - but the benefits are more significant for boys than girls 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 29/08/2025We're seeking to hire an in-person, full-time Professor of Practice in Games & Interactive Media. We envision an experienced game developer/programmer with a compelling portfolio and vision of the contributions creative work can make. bit.ly/MediaInfoJob... #GameDevJobs 020
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Two GameDev teams from our program secured two major distinctions at the first-ever Collegiate Games Challenge (CGC), a national competition spotlighting innovation in student-led video game development across North America! Read more: comartsci.msu.edu/about/newsro... #gamedevcomartsci.msu.eduMSU game development students take top honors at inaugural Collegiate Games Challenge | Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and SciencesTwo Michigan State University student teams from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences secured two major distinctions at the first-ever Collegiate Games Challenge (CGC), a national competitio... 051
Reposted by Department of Media & Information at Michigan State UniversityRyan Thompson @bardicknowledge.bsky.social · 21/08/2025Tonight on Ludomusicology Thursday, we've got @lauraintravia.bsky.social joining the stream -- and from @musicologess.bsky.social's house, even! Catch us on our continued playthrough of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. twitch.tv/bardicknowle... 081
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 22/08/2025Our department welcomed incoming freshmen as part of a day of fun and informative events! Here, Department Chairperson Dr. Michael Stern and Advisor Chris Roberts explain a bit about the department and its faculty. 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 14/08/2025The Collegiate Games Challenge results are in! Congratulations to the MSU student gamedev team behind Daemon, which won Second Place in the Interactive category, and the team behind Guilds of Greybrook, which won an Honorable Mention for game system design!youtube.comCollegiate Game Challenge 2025YouTube video by IGN 030
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 10/07/2025Today, join us in supporting Caitlin Geier as she defends her dissertation: Creating Space for Women and Queer Folk in Video Game Communities: Culture Circles as a Participatory Methodology for Community Empowerment 2:00PM EST msu.zoom.us/my/geierac 011
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 09/06/2025PhD candidate Gabriel Hales & Dr. Keith Hampton found that teens’ casual engagement with social media, video games, and other leisure activities encouraged a broader set of digital skills, with some caveats. Read: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....tandfonline.comRethinking screen time and academic achievement: gender differences and the hidden benefit of online leisure through digital skillsConcerns about the detrimental effects of screen time on adolescents’ academic achievement are widespread. However, this perspective often overlooks the potential educational benefits of online lei... 011
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 06/06/2025Robby Ratan and his team found that virtual reality enhances classroom connection over videoconferencing, but learning benefits decline after prolonged headset use. msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/ms... #VR #virtualrealitymsutoday.msu.eduMSU study: Virtual reality beneficial for remote instruction — but there’s a time limitNew research from Michigan State University with colleagues at Stanford shows that the sense of social connection in VR during classroom instruction enhances student outcomes compared to videoconferen... 012
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 15/05/2025As Jacob Kirn prepares to graduate from our User Experience Master of Science (UXMS) program, he reflects on a journey that was as challenging as it was transformative. comartsci.msu.edu/about/newsro... #ux #MSUcomartsci.msu.eduShaping the Future of UX: A Spring Graduate Reflects on His Time in MSU's UXMS Program | Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and SciencesAs Jacob Kirn prepares to graduate from Michigan State University’s User Experience Master of Science (UXMS) program, he reflects on a journey that was as challenging as it was transformative. As a fu... 000
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 05/05/2025Congratulations to Professor of Practice Ricardo Guimaraes, who was accepted at the American Impressionist Society as an Associate Member. The AIS has a mission of “promoting the appreciation of Impressionist Paintings through exhibitions, workshops and other media.” 010
Department of Media & Information at Michigan State University @mediainfomsu.bsky.social · 24/04/2025Join us for the spring 2025 Game Design Showcase! Thursday, May 1, 5:30-7:30pm in rooms 147 and 154 of ComArtSci. Watch game trailers and play the games our students worked on during the semester! #gamedesign 000