The IGM Department is comprised of talented and motivated individuals from a variety of academic backgrounds with a shared interest in computing as it relates to interactive and social media, new media, games, simulations, and media-centric systems of all varieties.
In the games and interactive media industries, interdisciplinary diversity is considered an asset in providing quality user experiences, and is a key component for any design team. Similarly, the faculty of the Department of Interactive Games and Media come from a variety of backgrounds, with degrees in Computer Science, Fine Arts, Psychology, Engineering, Library Science, Media Theory, Mathematics, and other disciplines. Dedicated teachers, we also have an unusually wide range of professional experiences outside academia, working for or founding game studios, software and internet companies, as well as working as private consultants, writing as practitioners and researchers, and participating in a range of other industry-linked activities as well as more formalized academic research. Our diversity stimulates innovative curricula within our discipline and provides unique opportunities for scholarship and industry partnership. Our unique range of backgrounds combined with a unity of purpose is a key resource and competitive advantage. We support this academic diversity, and regard it as one of our most unique and valuable assets.
The staff of any academic department are a critical component to its success, and the IGM department prides itself on the excellent staff that help provide service to our students. The IGM department operates in close collaboration with the School of Informatics within GCCIS to make most effective use of staff resources, and often shares academic advisors, technical staff, and other resources with both the school and the college as a whole. This allows staff with great expertise to have the greatest possible impact across all of our academic programs and partners.
To ensure curricular relevance and to aid the department in the strategic planning process, the IGM department maintains a body of advisors with whom the administration and faculty can consult with regarding these issues. Members of our Industrial and Academic Advisory Board (IAAB) have provided valuable input with regards to shaping the curricular directions and goals of the academic programs within the department. By directly engaging professionals from industry, the faculty gain needed perspective surrounding the relevance of our programs and how aligned our goals are with industry. Such alignment has led to unique opportunities with Adobe and Microsoft, among others. In addition to the IAAB meetings, IGM faculty are involved in a number of additional academic review boards as well as curriculum efforts led by such groups as the International Games Developer Association and the New Media Consortium.
The alumni of the IGM department are yet another critical resource to the department. In addition to our incredible pride in their accomplishments both academically and as life-long learners and unique individuals, our alumni are also engaged in helping the department to continually improve the educational experiences we offer to . Finally, one of the key resources for the department with respect to understanding the expectations of employees in the field is the feedback we receive from our alumni as they begin and expand their professional careers.
