For the third edition this year, two selected research topics will be presented: “Esports Toxicity: The Challenge, Evidence and Solutions” and “Managing Harassment in Esports – The Role of Accountability and Standards to Address Harassment“. Current undergraduate students and members of the World Esports Family with a Bachelor’s degree are invited to conduct research on the topic and submit their findings.
IESF Secretary General Boban Totovski said:
We look forward to the return of the WE Academia Competition in 2023. The annual initiative helps to promote new and relevant academic research within the esports ecosystem and contributes to the overall growth and development of the industry. Together, we can use esports as a catalyst for change and help create a welcoming environment for the entire World Esports family.
Boban Totovski
The coveted prize for the first place winner is a certificate from IESF Acting President HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud and KRW 4,000,000 ($2,985). Second and third place winners will also receive a certificate from the IESF Acting President and KRW 2,000,000 ($1,492) and KRW 1,000,000 ($745) respectively. The research results will also be published in the World Esports Archive.
The application period is now open until 3 December. Submissions will be judged between 4 and 15 December, and winners will be announced between 18 and 22 December. More information on how to submit an entry can be found at iesf.org/we-academia-competition-23/ and entries can be made here.
Since 2021, the WE Academia Competition has brought together members of the World Esports Family to encourage new ideas and academic research that will benefit the future of esports. In 2022, “Diversification of Esports Events for the Guarantee of Right for the Disabled” and “Using Self-Sustainable Energy Generation as a Multi-functional Strategy to Improve the Overall Health, Wellness, and Well-being of Esports Athletes” took home the competition’s top honors.
