Accelerate to Zero Postgraduate Scholarship, Cameron Visits the BE-ST Innovation Campus
As part of his master’s degree, placement student Cameron has been working with our team at BE-ST through our Accelerate to Zero Postgraduate Scholarship programme and recently came to the BE-ST Innovation Campus to test a game he developed to support the built environment sector.
The game challenges players to use different elements to make buildings more energy efficient.
During an afternoon at our office, Cameron invited the team to play the game, gathering feedback and suggestions to help refine and improve the learning experience.
We caught up with Cameron to hear more about his placement experience so far.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your master's project?
I am currently studying towards an MSc in Serious Games and Virtual Reality. My master’s project uses Serious Games (the study and creation of games designed to teach or expose the player to a concept or subject area through game experiences) to teach and engage the player in net-zero construction and Passivhaus concepts and thinking.
Why do you think this research matters?
From my studies and very brief experiences within the built environment sector as a whole, there has been a considerable lack of strong digital learning tools for students. I hope my research opens the door to greater interest in the use of Serious Games and gamified learning within the built environment industry, allowing the sector to take full advantage of the digital space.
How has receiving the Accelerate to Zero Postgraduate Master's Fund helped you during your studies or research?
It has helped me get in contact with subject experts I would not have been able to access myself. It has also allowed me to take full advantage of my master's programme, as having those extra funds enabled me to participate in events I might not have otherwise been able to.
Which organisations, industry partners or communities are part of your project?
I have been able to get in touch with some incredible industry experts who have been incredibly helpful and engaging, and I took part in a Low-Carbon Passport workshop, which was incredibly helpful in getting a better understanding of the game and its possible concepts.
What's been the most interesting or surprising thing you've discovered through your research so far?
That there is a desire to make better use of the digital space within the construction sector, but despite that, there has been very little research done.
What do you hope to do after your master's, and how do you see your research making a difference to the journey towards a net-zero built environment?
I hope to enter the world of Serious Games and game for change outside of an academic setting, or to enter the world of extended reality projects using technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. I hope my research demonstrates the potential of Serious Games and gamified learning for education within the built environment sector to help engage those already in the industry.
To find out more about our placement student opportunities, visit Accelerate to Zero Postgraduate Scholarship.