Researcher Roundtable: Fostering Connection in Social Gaming
How can we foster connection in social gaming spaces?
In Fall 2025, Roblox and Prosocial Design Network brought together more than 40 academics and Roblox team members, all inspired by that question and about the possibility of catalyzing new research. In a day of small group workshopping, participants co-imagined design solutions to promote prosocial engagement – from cooperating to teaching – that could lead to connection, belonging and wellbeing. The convening then produced six research projects, funded by Roblox, to explore and test several of the ideas that emerged from the day's discussions.
Please join us for this 90-minute Researcher Roundtable, hosted by the Inspired Internet Pledge, when we will hear from the convening's co-hosts to learn about the design ideas generated during the day and from the project teams who will share initial findings from their research. Presentations will be followed by breakout groups where we hope to explore the potential of adapting and adopting the design ideas presented – and also how we can catalyze yet more actionable research toward hosting healthy online spaces.
AGENDA
Introduction: Creating a day to catalyze actionable research. A high-level overview from Daniel Haun (Senior Manager of Partnership & Strategy at Roblox) and Julia Kamin (Managing Director at Prosocial Design Network)
The Design Ideas: David Grüning (Science Board Director at Prosocial Design Network) will present a thematic mapping of the 100+ design ideas generated in the convening
Research Lightning Talks: Briefings from the project grantees with initial findings from their research
Breakout groups: Roundtable guests will join breakout groups for a deeper dive on several of the design themes presented, exploring how they may be adapted, adopted or further researched
Wrap up and looking forward
Lightning Talks:
Reshaping the Harm: Using Restorative Justice Principles to Prioritize Players’ Needs in Online Multiplayer Games Team: Bria Massey & Kaycee F. Stiemke
Designing Micro-Interventions in Online Gaming to Support Compassion and Gratitude Team: Stephen Schueller, Katie Salen Tekinbaş & Toby Baratta
Prosocial Connection & Belonging through Storytelling and Disclosure Team: Gowri S. Swamy, D. Alex Hughes, Coye Cheshire & Aaron Rodden
Embedding Reminder of Norms into Games: Investigating Timing and Diegesis Team: Julian Frommel & Regan Mandryk
Prosocial Nudging in Online Chats: AI Suggestions to Reduce Harmful Language Team: Zainab Agha, Madison Akles & Jessy Wang
Creative Learning Through Community Sharing: Theme-of-the-Week Snapshots for Emerging Game Developers in Social Gaming Ecosystems Team: Yaman Yu, Marlon Twyman, Yaxing Yao, Haojian Jin & Yang Wang