Introducing CS Students' Sustainability Initiatives: Sustainability Game Nights
Who are you?
I’m Beste Polatkal, a second-year Master’s student in the Creative Sustainability Design track. I was also one of the Wellbeing and Community Leads of Crust (Creative Sustainability Student Association) in 2024. I am from Türkiye and I have a background in Industrial Design.
What are Sustainability Game Nights?
Sustainability Game Nights are interactive events where participants engage in different kinds of games: board games, card games, role-playing games, etc. The games focus on sustainability-related themes, such as climate change, systems thinking, biodiversity, resource management, decolonization, and so on. These events aim to create an open environment for the whole Aalto community for critical thinking, collaboration, and fun while exploring, discussing, and reflecting on complex sustainability challenges. The events have been organized as part of Crust and with the great effort of the amazing board members. The events have been funded by Sustainability Action Booster who helped make this idea come true, for which I am super grateful.
When and why did you start organizing Sustainability Game Nights?
I started organizing Sustainability Game Nights in April 2024, inspired by my interest in gameful experiences and their potential to engage people in sustainability topics. My goal was to create a space where discussing and engaging in sustainability could feel approachable, enjoyable, and participatory. I wanted to connect people through shared experiences and demonstrate that games and play can be powerful tools for sustainability discussions that might lead to better action.
What have you learned from this project? Has it changed your perspective?
Through these events, I’ve learned the importance of community engagement and how gamified approaches can break down barriers to understanding complex issues. I’ve realized that sustainability topics, which can sometimes feel overwhelming or induce anxiety, can be effectively explored through playful and interactive methods, making them more approachable and impactful. This project has reinforced my belief in the transformative power of design and play to inspire collective action and contribute to meaningful change.
What are your plans for the future of Sustainability Game Nights?
On the 19th of November, we held the final game night planned as part of the Sustainability Action Booster budget plan. It was a wonderful way to wrap up this year's series of events, and I’m grateful for everyone who participated and contributed to making them a success. As Crust, we are excited about welcoming new board members and keeping this vibrant community alive with the upcoming elections. With my focus now shifting to completing my thesis and hopefully graduating, I would be immensely happy if a new organizer stepped forward to take on these events in the future. If you are passionate about sustainability and if you’d like to contribute to the Aalto community by continuing the Sustainability Game Nights, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to me for more information, I would be more than happy to help.
Do you have any advice for people considering starting a sustainability project or hosting an event?
I suggest partnering with individuals or groups who share your vision. Their support, ideas, and resources can amplify your efforts and help expand your reach. During the game nights, we had great collaborations that taught me so much about teamwork and the value of collective creativity. Additionally, I recommend treating every event as a learning experience. Be open to feedback, embrace challenges, and use them as opportunities to grow and improve. Also, stay open to opportunities that can help you bring your ideas to life, such as grants like the Sustainability Action Booster, which provided crucial support for our events.
Beste PolatkalI recommend treating every event as a learning experience.
Where could people interested in sustainability games find more information?
You might be surprised to learn that there are far more sustainability-themed games than you might expect! These range from serious games designed for education and training or other contexts to playful experiences aimed at raising awareness. If you’d like to explore further, looking into academic and industry publications focused on serious games might give you valuable insights. Organizations like Policy Lab also offer interactive tools and games focused on decision-making and policy engagement, many of which address sustainability challenges. Additionally, there is a wealth of online and digital resources available to help you discover tools in this context.
