In popular understanding games are a form of entertainment. However, games and game theory provide very useful tools for analyzing situations in which various actors make decisions that are interdependent. Due to this interdependence, all actors must consider the decisions of other players, and think about possible consequences. Professor Karol Olejniczak from SWPS University will talk about the application of games in the development of public policy.
The lecture, organized by SWPS University's Interdisciplinary Doctoral School is a part of the series The Challenges of the Humanities of the 21st Century.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this online lecture is available only to doctoral students. The lecture will be followed by a workshop “Serious Games in Doctoral Education in the 21st Century”, which will take place on October 17th.
The lecture will be delivered in Polish.
Professor Olejniczak will talk about the usefulness of games in public policy, including applied research related to public initiatives. The lecture will focus on paradigm changes occurring in the era of pandemic. In this context, we will discuss the main advantages of games. Prof. Olejniczak will show how young public policy researchers may utilize games in their work, and will present four main applications of games, including: teaching, knowledge and skill assessment, mechanism testing, and discovering system interdependences.
Speaker
Professor Karol Olejniczak – is an associate professor of public policy and a co-founder of policy research company Evaluation for Government Organizations (EGO s.c.). His work focuses on the intersection of policy design and evaluation, and the use of evidence in decision-making. In his research and teaching, he utilizes games, experiments, and behavioral design. He has twenty years of experience in applied research and training for numerous institutions around the world such as the European Commission, World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and various public agencies in Poland, including The Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Polish Agency of Enterprise Development, National Science Center, The National Centre for Research and Development. He is currently running a policy lab on innovative public services with Polish local municipalities and consulting with U.S. Federal agencies to develop learning agendas. More information »
We are beginning the ‘2020/2021 Challenges of the Humanities’ lecture series with a very apt topic “Games for Public Policy”. Flexible strategic thinking in public policy is crucial, especially now, when the global economy, health, and migration policies have been affected by the pandemic, and countries must develop different scenarios in anticipation of recurring lockdowns and post-pandemic reality.
Professor Izabela Grabowska, Director of Interdisciplinary Doctoral School
“The Challenges of Humanities of the 21st Century” is a series of lectures by distinguished specialists, who represent various disciplines from the field of humanities. The events are aimed at students of SWPS University's Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program, however all interested parties are welcome. The format includes post-lecture informal discussions on topics presented by the invited experts. The friendly atmosphere of the events is conducive to networking, which lends itself to opportunities of future internships at universities or research centers around the world.
Doctoral Education at SWPS University is directed to people interested in an academic career and also to those, who would like to continue their education and personal development in support of their career advancement. The interdisciplinary character of our programs allows students to participate in projects from various disciplines. Our doctoral students collaborate with scholars from the best research centers in Poland and around the world. The master-apprentice approach guarantees that each student receives individual attention and professional support.