We are excited to announce the launch of the Cheng Kar Shun Digital Hub Programme for Hilary Term 2024.
The Digital Hub at Jesus College, Oxford, is a new physical and virtual space in the centre of Oxford that brings together the brightest minds and the curious. It opened in 2022, and the Hub’s term-time events programme offers a wide range of interactive events, talks, workshops and performances on digital themes led by Jesus College researchers and collaborators from across the University. The programme is curated by the SOUTHWORKS Career Development Fellow for the Digital Hub, Dr Janina Schupp.
The HT24 programme includes an interactive climate change modelling bootcamp, an exploration of metaverse ethics through the eyes of Jamaican school students, an evening of talks and pitches by digital entrepreneurs, and a special St David’s Day event where participants can map the Welsh language through social media. In addition, the Hub Programme will host ESI Next Gen – a two-day conference for those working in, studying or interested in the integration of video games and esports in academia.
FULL EVENT LISTING AND BOOKING LINKS
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Digital Hub Bootcamp – Good COP, Bad COP: Can we solve climate change?
Thursday 1st February 2024
17.30 – 19.00
FREE. Includes pizza and drinks
Join us for an interactive workshop that will test your ideas on solutions to climate change. We will be using En-ROADS, a global climate simulator that enables users to explore the impact that dozens of policies – such as electrifying transport, pricing carbon and improving agricultural practices – have on factors like temperature, air quality and seal level rise. As we’ve seen in COP28, there are numerous areas where action can lead to impact. We’ll use the En-ROADS simulator to help people make connections between the possibilities available to help ensure a resilient future, and give you an insight in to how international negotiations work. The workshop will be led by Jesus alumnus Dr David Preece (2001, Geography) and is hosted in collaboration with the College’s Environmental Sustainability Working Group.
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Ethics in the Metaverse through the eyes of Jamaican youth
Tuesday 13th February 2024
14.30 – 16.30
FREE. Includes cake and tea
One of the exciting developments in virtual reality is the Metaverse – a shared, immersive, and interactive virtual environment that allows for a digital representation of the user. Project Amplify, a collaboration between Youth Can Do I.T. (YCDI) in Kingston, Jamaica and Jesus College at Oxford University, explores the ethical design and use of such emerging digital environments, through the eyes and experiences of Jamaican youth. Join us as we hear from the project team and youth participants about their learnings/findings from the project; come and explore how ethical concepts influenced the design of the youth’s own metaverse spaces, and finally, grab a headset and immerse yourself in the virtual reality (VR) worlds created by the participants! It promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking session of discovery and exploration as told through the eyes of young people. Light refreshments provided. NOTE: Doors will open at 14:00 for a 14:30 start. Videos of the project will be screened during this time.
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Entrepreneurship in the Digital Age X Hult Prize competition
Tuesday 20th February 2024
Time: 5-7.30pm
Are you a start-up ready to showcase your ideas or are you interested in entrepreneurship in general? Join us for an evening of exciting pitches and inspirational talks by successful entrepreneurs. As part of the entrepreneurship showcase, the Cheng Kar Shun Digital Hub is delighted to be holding this year’s Oxford Hult Prize competition. The Hult Prize competition challenges student entrepreneurs to pitch ideas on improving global sustainability through innovation. The winning team from Oxford will travel to one of ten cities around the world to pitch for $1M in funding to transform their vision into reality. Book now if you would like to participate in the competition or are interested in seeing others enter the Dragon’s Den.
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X (Twitter) meets Wales: St David’s Day @ The Digital Hub
Friday 1st March 2024
15.00 – 16.30
FREE. Includes tea and cake
To celebrate the bond between Wales and Jesus College, the Digital Hub invites you for a talk by Professor David Willis during which we will explore the spread and evolution of Welsh language on social media. This will be followed by a tea and cake reception during which you can try your hand at our English language quiz and let the computer guess where you are from based on how you speak.
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ESI Next Gen 2024: Video games and esports in education
Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th March 2024
08:00 – 20:00
A two-day extravaganza for professionals, academics, students, and enthusiasts dedicated to exploring the endless possibilities of video games and esports in educational settings. The event, run by ESI Insider, promises to be a hub of innovation, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities for educators, students, industry professionals, and anyone passionate about incorporating gaming and esports in education, both curricular and extra-curricular. Alongside a full conference day in Oxford, with main stage talks dedicated to learning and collaboration, attendees can delve into breakout sessions and workshops that will provide insights into the latest trends and best practices in integrating gaming and esports into education. ESI Next Gen serves as a unique platform for educators, industry leaders, and students to exchange ideas, share success stories, and explore the rapidly evolving landscape of gaming and esports in education.