Overview
Who’s Attending?
ESI Next Gen, working with the University of Warwick, is focused on uniting leaders across the video games, esports, and education sectors. Held over 22-23 March 2023, attendees can expect 1.5 days of meetings and knowledge sharing, with a welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.
Why Attend?
Universities and Colleges Governments, Cities and Venues Social Causes and Charities Careers Sector Students Game Developers and Publishers Education Sector Esports Teams Tournament Operators Media and Other 250+ Attendees 30+ Speakers 9+ Sessions
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Partners Gold Partner Silver Partner Partners Official Youth Partner Official Regional Partner 2
What’s On?
22nd March 2023 Networking Social and Lions Clash Final
from 13:30 Join us from 13:30 at The Climb for the first, networking focussed day of ESI Next Gen!
14:10 - 15:10
For those new to the world of networking, there’ll be a Demonstrating Aptitude workshop: spaces are limited. This workshop is invite only.
14:00 - 16:30 An epic VALORANT Best of Five as Lionscreed look to crown the victors of the Lions Clash!
16:30 - 22:00 Right after the Lions Clash finals, we will go all-in on networking with great F&B, a welcome, friendly atmosphere, and plenty of exciting activities for attendees to take part in!
If you have accommodation booked, you can collect your keys from 3PM at Senate House.
23rd March 2023 Conference Day
8:30 - 10:00 Opening Networking and Breakfast
10:00 - 11:00 Welcome and Sessions
11:05 - 11:35 Morning Break
11:35 - 12:40 Sessions
12:40 - 13:40 Lunch
13:40 - 14:25 Sessions
14:25 - 15:00 Afternoon Break
15:00 - 16:20 Sessions
16:20 - 18:00 Closing Remarks and Networking
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Special Events
Pathways to Building A Career and Business in Grassroots Youth Esports Special Event
What Join us for a discussion about the future of grassroots youth esports, as well as career and business pathways, and how ECA is contributing to structured healthy gaming.
Who Students and industry alike, those with an interest in grassroots esports and its development
When 23rd March @ 14:45 - 15:45, Workshop room
INVITE ONLY SESSION - INQUIRE VIA THIS FORM TO GET ON THE LIST Registering your interest does not guarantee attendance. we will be in touch once the list has been confirmed
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Official Youth Esports Partner
Schedule: Day One
22nd March • All times in GMT
22 MARCH: Networking Social + Lions Clash Final [13:30 - 22:00]
The 22nd March will be a networking focussed day, allowing you to make the most out of meeting connections old and new!
13:30 Doors Open, Badge Collection, Networking Begins
Collect your lanyard & badge, network with friends old and new, and enjoy the Lions Clash final live on the ESI Next Gen stage
14:00 - 16:30
Lions Clash Final
Take your seat in the conference room as the Lions Clash Final best of five unfolds
14:10 - 15:10
Demonstrating Aptitude workshop
As we see increasingly digitally literate and talented young people, this workshop will focus on how to demonstrate your skills to future employees and peers.
This workshop is invite-only. You can register your interest here.
16:30 - 22:00 End of Day One networking
Right after the Lions Clash finals, we will go all-in on networking with great F&B, a welcome, friendly atmosphere, and plenty of exciting activities for attendees to take part in, including an open-to-all tournament at the Esports Centre inside the main conference hall!
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Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
23 MARCH: Main Event Day [9:00 - 20:00]
8:30 - 10:00 Doors open, breakfast, teas, coffees & morning networking
9:00 - 9:20 Networking 101
10:00 - 10:10 Welcome & Opening from Host and Special Guest
A short opening from the event’s host and MC who will welcome one and all to ESI Next Gen alongside Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President at University of Warwick
10:10 - 10:20 Keynote Talk
Hear from Annabel Ashalley-Anthony, Founder of Melanin Gamers, in our opening keynote talk
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Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
10:25 - 11:00
The Skill Gap - the esports & video games edition
In esports, an emerging, fast changing sector that’s alien to many and full to the brim with SMEs and young C-Suites; recruitment, employee & team development and in turn retention are all major challenges.
In video games meanwhile, businesses vie for talent and it’s extremely competitive.
What can the esports & games industries do to improve? How can we develop stronger and more meaningful links with education? Lastly, how can such businesses become more adept at finding, developing and keeping talent?
Moderator
Dr. Maria Stukoff - Director of the Maker Space - The University of Salford
Speakers
Mo Isap - CEO & Founder - IN4 Group
James Fraser-Murison - Director of Esports - Queen Mary’s College
Becky Wright - Senior Partnerships Director - NSE
Gina Jackson - Founder - SKILLfull
11:00 - 11:05 Break
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11:35 - 12:10
Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
Representation is not a tick-box: Why is it critical to seek and create diverse teams?
In both esports teams and staff groups, its essential we have diversity in all aspects of games and esports. The games industry has had recent insightful research on diversity, equity, and inclusion while the esports industry still lacks detailed documentation of the workforce.
According to the UKIE games industry census 2020, only 28% of people working in the games industry are female and 2% non-binary. The same research showed that just 10% of the industry were Black or Minority Ethnic (BAME). Both these statistics sit below average for the UK workforce. However, 21% of the games workfore are LGBTQ+, roughly 4x the national average. Seperately, 21% of people working in the games industry have chronic health conditions, almost double the national average. Discussing their experiences in the industry, this panel will take a deep-dive into representation in our industries, exploring how critical diverse teams are to what we do.
In some areas, games and esports proves inclusive, but not in others. How can we better address this? Why is that critical and how can we implement change?
Moderator
Dominic Shaw - EDI Coordinator - UKIE
Speakers
Alex Gate - Community Manager - Dovetail Games & Safe in our World Ambassador
Mikayla Sinead - CEO/Founder - Bridge Network Group
Meg Daintith - Talent Acquisition Manager - Codemasters / EA
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12:15 - 12:35
Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
GameTech Now and next - How Video Game technology is redefining our digital future
The technology, mechanics and craft that underpin the games we love are no longer constrained to the consumer video games market. We now see blockbuster movies and TV shows leveraging video games IP, competitive sports leagues built on top of video games, ‘Gamified’ education and productivity applications and many other areas where the influence of video games and their technology is unquestionable. So let’s take stock of where we are now and what is on the horizon and celebrate the rapidly expanding opportunities that a career in the world of GameTech may offer us in our lifetime.
Speakers
Simon Benson - Immersive Technology Director - IN4 Group
12:40 - 13:40
Lunch
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Gold Partner
Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
13:40 - 14:25 Parent Trap: How can we work with the real stakeholders in esports and games education?
Session Sponsor
TIGA’s 2022 report has shown that the UK’s games developer sector has grown almost a quarter since 2020, with creative staff in games studios rising to 20,975 full-time workers.
Esports however shows a slight stagnation of job postings across 2021-2022, with the vast majority of openings being intermediate or senior opportunities...
With thousands of jobs available in both industries, young people are often still unaware of what opportunities there are and how to access them. This panel will addressing the methods and information we are using to inform parents and guardians about the opportunities in both esports and games as a real and valid career path. Working together, how can we work together to demystify and myth-bust this industry?
Moderator
Kalam Neale - Head of Education - British Esports
Speakers
Mark Ward - Community Outreach Officer - Digital Schoolhouse now
Ólafur Steinarsson - Co-founder & COO - Esports Coaching Academy
Liam David - Associate - Fladgate LLP
Phil Bale - Operations Manager - Ubisoft Leamington
14:25 - 15:00 Break
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15:00 - 15:40
Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
Breaking Boundaries: How do we remove barriers within Higher Education and Industry to work together, apply research, and benefit both sectors?
One of the principle concerns with both esports and games programmes in FE and HE are the speed at which technology and the createch industry moves. By the time a curriculum is written and students are enrolled, often the industry has shifted considerably.
This panel will discuss the blurring of lines between creative and digital careers as well as how we can manage the relationship between industry and technology to address the fluid nature of our industries.
How do we demonstrate the future of tech that the next generation can choose the best options as digital natives? How do we use research to define what our future of work looks like?
Moderator
Jo Garde-Hansen - Professor of Culture, Media and Communication- University of Warwick
Speakers
Bianca Wright - Course Director - Coventry University
Ben Miles - Director - Chillblast
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Schedule: Day Two
23rd March • All times in GMT
15:45 - 16:20
The Big Debate: The value and role of esports degrees
Whilst being conscious that not all esports degree programs are born & raised equal, some questions, however generic, warrant asking; are they worth it, is the industry ready, how can they be improved and better serve the students committing time and money to them? ESI Next Gen will close with a healthy, structured debate with Team For and Team Against exploring both sides of the story, opening the floor to constructive discussion, criticism, and opinions as we dive into the contentious topic headfirst.
16:20 - 18:00
Closing Remarks & Evening Networking
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