In June 2022, Sheroes in Games presented itself at the C3 in Buenos Aires, by panels on the topic of women and video game development, on professions and players in the gaming scene as well as a video games expo showcasing a selection of outstanding games developed by women.
Micaela Mantegna, also known as the “Abogamer”, is a leading expert in the field of AI ethics, video games, and the metaverse. She has lectured in more than 26 countries, at conferences such as TED 2022, RightsCon, GamesBeat Summit, Game Developers Conference, Vancouver Biennale, More Than Just a Game, and the Internet Freedom Festival, among others. Since 2017, she is a researcher affiliated with the Center for Technology and Society (CETYS) at Universidad de San Andrés, where she is full professor of Law and Artificial Intelligence in the Law and Communications Technology Program (DITC), and guest professor in the Master's Program in Innovation and Intellectual Property of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). She holds a Master's Degree in Intellectual Property from Universidad de San Andrés-WIPO, with a thesis on computational creativity, artificial intelligence and copyright. She is also affiliated with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, leading the Video Game and XR Policy Working Group. For her role as an academic and activist, she was named TED Fellow in 2022, and Google Policy Fellow in 2017. She is co-founder of Women In Games Argentina, an ambassador of Women in Games International (WIGJ), and was recognized as "Outstanding Individual Ambassador of the Year" at the Women in Games Global Awards 2021. She was also chosen by GamesIndustry.biz as one of the outstanding persons in the video game industry in its 2021 Game Changers list. She is also the founder of Geekylegal, a podcast and initiative to disseminate law and technology through pop culture.
Video recording
Professions in the video game industry
Moderator: Valeria Colombo Speakers: Laura Palavecino (Argentina), Sandra Rozo (Colombia), Rafaella Moraes (Brazil), Anais Tello Lumbreras (Peru) und Consuelo Gil Gira (Chile).
According to the 2021 ADVA (the Argentine Video Game Developers Association) report, there are 1916 professionals in a national video game industry with a total size of USD 86,716,560 that is closely linked to the US and Canadian markets. The panel will give an overview of the professional possibilities that the world of video games currently has to offer in the international sphere. Women leaders in different roles and professions will share their experience, challenges and advice for up-and-coming voices to help drive the industry forward. Women currently represent 13% of all employees in the industry, and 6% of them hold managerial/leadership positions, while the percentage of women employed in STEAM positions is 8%.
Computer Scientist graduated from the University of Buenos Aires. Gamer since she has memory and has been working as a videogame developer for the last 13 years. Today she is Head of Engineering at Etermax and a Board Member of Women in Games Argentina.
Rafaella Moraes: She holds a degree in Design from the State University of Bahia (UNEB), and is a specialist in Game Design, with extensive experience in Graphic Design and Digital and Analog Game development. She started her career in 2010, and has worked in the full spectrum of game production, including interface production; art, animation and game design for digital and analog games; editorial creation for digital game manuals, and visual identity creation. She is currently a partner and COO at ERA Game Studio, where she works as both Lead Game Designer and Interface Designer in the production of the world's first ‘Live Game.’
Consuelo Gil Lira: She is a 3D designer and animator with extensive experience in art direction and video game production. She has collaborated in various projects for the video game industry, as well as for television and other interactive media, ranging from pre-production to the development of prototypes and projects for multiple platforms, helping to build complex worlds. She specializes in rigging and 3D animation of characters and props. She is passionate about animation, movies, music and video games, and has developed a special interest in the world of interactive experiences and experimentation. She also educates the new generations using educational robotics, connecting external devices and software to discuss complex topics.
Anais Tello Lumbreras: She is a co-founder and active member of the staff of FemDevs Peru, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and encourage the participation of women in the Peruvian video game industry. She works primarily as a video game programmer, and when she's not reading, she enjoys writing fiction.
Laura Palavecino: Born in Argentina, she is a visual artist, teacher and researcher on the topics of technology art and game studies. She has a background in visual arts: she holds a degree in Image and Sound Design from the School of Architecture, Design and Urbanization of Universidad de Buenos Aires, and is pursuing a master's degree in Electronic Arts at Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero. She carries out projects in the field of experimental video games and electronics, in which traditional art and technology converge, with the aim of strengthening ties with nature. She is a member of the Game Studies Group at Universidad Nacional de las Artes (UNA) and co-founder of Women in Games Argentina. Among other recognitions, she received the ELAP (Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program) Scholarship in 2019, she took part in the INNOVART Art and Innovation Program in 2018-2020, and won the runner-up prize in the Fusion 2020 award. Her works have been on display in exhibitions and festivals in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United States.
Sandra Rozo: She is a professional in Social Communication and Journalism specializing in Public Relations and Corporate Communications, with 18 years of experience in the Technology industry, and an advocate of the digital entertainment and video games industry in Colombia and Latin America. She is the founder and Director of Gamers-On magazine, an independent publication with a 14-year track record, and has organized Global Game Jam Colombia for 11 years. She created the Electronic Game Developers Congress (EGDC), formerly ANIGAMESEXPO; founded the Latam Game Jam and LUDeSport (University League of Electronic Sports), and since 2019, she coordinates Womenize Latam to inspire more women. She creates innovative strategies for brand positioning and IT market penetration in Latin America, with dedication and the strong belief that there is always an opportunity to continue improving, and to drive the industry’s growth.
Video recording
The future of STEAM. Redefining technologies, stereotypes and professions
Moderator: Julieta Lombardelli Speakers: Gabriela Cicalese (Image Campus), Valeria Edelsztein (Científicas de Acá), Mara Dalponte Ayastuy (LIFIA), Paula Coto (Chicas en Tecnología), Ana Laura Sosa Orrantia (Globant) and Marisa Conde (GENIATEKA).
STEAM is an acronym that brings together five interrelated professional fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. STEAM careers lay the foundations for what is known as the fourth industrial revolution: the establishment of Industry 4.0 linked to nanotechnology, genetic sequencing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and the internet of things, among many other emerging innovations and specialties. A cornerstone of this new revolution is convergence and dialogue across different areas, and the inclusion of the arts. Research shows that the presence of women in these sectors is below 40% (SOURCE: Women STEAM), but several initiatives are being carried out at a global level to change this proportion. This panel brings together independent professionals and technology companies working on projects and initiatives that seek to bridge the gender gap and are vital for a more equitable and diverse development of new technologies and future professions.
She is the co-coordinator of Sheroes In Games for Goethe-Institut Argentina. She has a degree in Multimedia Design, is pursuing a PhD in Arts, and is a teacher and multimedia artist. She works at the intersection of art, science and technology. Currently, her research focuses on the link between Gamification and Citizen Science, in Cientopolis by LIFIA, at the IT School of Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP). She is a Professor of Introduction to Video Game Development in the Computer Science Program of Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (UNQ), and is the coordinator of the Pedagogical Innovation Node at Nueva Escuela Argentina (NEA), in La Plata City.
Valeria Carolina Edelsztein (Científicas de Acá): She is a scientist, chemist, teacher and popularizer of natural sciences in Argentina. She studied chemistry and earned a graduate degree and a PhD from Universidad de Buenos Aires. She is a researcher affiliated with the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET). She is the co-founder of Científicas de Acá, an initiative to give visibility to the women who have worked and are working in science and technology in Argentina.
Paula Coto (Chicas en tecnología): She holds a degree in Sociology from Universidad de Buenos Aires, a Master’s degree in Education from Universidad de San Andrés, and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Strathclyde. She was awarded a scholarship by the governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom for her postgraduate studies. She is a postgraduate professor in educational policy, STEM and gender. She has served as Education Coordinator at the Center for the Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth (CIPPEC), where she led research and technical assistance projects for governments on educational policies focused on innovation and bridging the inequality divide. She has also been a consultant for international organizations and co-author of the book Inspiraciones alcanzables: 15 políticas educativas destacadas en América Latina.
Marisa Conde (GENIATEKA): She is a professor in IT Techniques Applied to Computing, holds a Master’s degree in Video Games and Education, and is specialist in Educational Technology at Universidad de Buenos Aires. She is also a professor at different universities of Argentina and Spain, a reference of the EnFoco Program of the National Institute of Technological Education (INET), CEO of GENIATEKA, and volunteer in Argentina Cibersegura.
Mara Dalponte Ayastuy (LIFIA): She is a graduate of the Computer Analyst Program and the Computer Science Program at Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP). During her undergraduate studies, she took part in the research teams on Geographic Systems of the IT Research and Training Lab (LIFIA) at UNLP. She also participated in software development teams in multiple domains, ranging from the development of vessel tracking systems to the human resource management system used at the Ministry for Planning. She is currently a professor in programming and computer science at Universidad de Quilmes. She works on outreach programs on gender-related issues and the democratization of opens-source technologies. She is a researcher affiliated with UNQ, in coordination with LIFIA at UNLP.
Gabriela Cicalese: PhD in Communication (National University of La Plata). She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Semiotics and Communication at various universities in Argentina. She is part of the Transdisciplinary Postgraduate Programme in Arts, Sciences, (Dis)Montage, Performance, Bodies, Genders and Communication (Faculty of Psychology - National University of Córdoba) and was a member of the UNESCO Edgar Morin Chair in Complex Thinking. Since 2007 she has been in charge of the Gender, Popular and Youth Cultures Seminar in the Audiovisual Communication Degree at UNSAM (National University San Martín), where she carries out extracurricular activities focused on communication productions with a feminist perspective. She directed the Festival of Short Films Good practices, youth and the world of work at the Library of Congress Argentina, as well as the La Crujía Communication Centre, and is Director of Academic Development at Image Campus.
Ana Laura Sosa Orrantia has a degree in public translation (English) as well as in cultural innovation (both UMSA - Universidad del Museo Social Argentino). She has been leading projects in information technology and change management for more than 10 years. At the moment, she forms part of the sector Studios de Gaming and Agile Delivery at Globant, where she is manager of an eSports project. Besides, she has been participating in various initiatives to promote participation of children and young people in the gaming industry.
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Sheroes in Games. How to teach video games and bridge the gender gap
Speakers: Julieta Lombardelli and María Luján Oulton (Sheroes in Games).
The journey taken throughout the day shows that it is essential to approach girls and young women who are interested in video games and who have not yet made up their minds about their career or professional future, at an early age. It is key to leave open the possibility of pursuing academic studies that are directly associated with their areas of interest, while making visible along this process the wins and accomplishments of those who have already taken up this path. Sheroes in Games will present its proposal designed specifically for trainers and teachers interested in working with video games and young people.
Julieta Lombardelli: She is the co-coordinator of Sheroes In Games for Goethe-Institut Argentina. She has a degree in Multimedia Design, is pursuing a PhD in Arts, and is a teacher and multimedia artist. She works at the intersection of art, science and technology. Currently, her research focuses on the link between Gamification and Citizen Science, in Cientopolis by LIFIA, at the IT School of Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP). She is a Professor of Introduction to Video Game Development in the Computer Science Program of Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (UNQ) and is the coordinator of the Pedagogical Innovation Node at Nueva Escuela Argentina (NEA), in La Plata city.
María Luján Oulton: She is the co-coordinator of Sheroes In Games for Goethe-Institut Argentina. She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Cultural Creation from Universidad CAECE. Luján is a curator, cultural manager and researcher. For more than ten years, she has organized and led the curatorship of Game On! El arte en juego, a pioneering festival in the region that explores the links across art, video games and society. She is also co-founder of Women in Games Argentina as well as GAIA (Game Arts International Assembly) (GAIA) with Jim Munroe from Canada, and the coordinator of the series Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios en Diseño y Comunicación, with a focus on game studies since 2019, and four issues already published. Luján has contributed various essays in academic and cultural publications, and has lectured extensively on the abovementioned topics in educational institutions such as ORT, Universidad del Museo Social Argentino (UMSA), Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, and Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA), among others.
Video recording
Video Game Show
The exhibition showcases a selection of video games developed by women over the last decade in various geographical locations. It provides a snapshot of the great diversity of topics and aesthetics that emerge when women engage in the industry and create their own projects. Visitors will have a chance to see games developed with deep social commitment, experimental narratives, new aesthetic proposals, and sensitive and emotional themes.
