This research program examines esports as a social, educational and governance environment. Beginning with research into esports diplomacy, legitimacy and the development of the Australian esports ecosystem, the program has expanded to investigate critical thinking, game-based learning, safeguarding and governance.

The research considers how competitive digital games and esports communities can support learning, decision-making and collaboration, while also examining the organisational, policy and governance challenges associated with the growth of esports. Applied studies use authentic esports contexts, including Rocket League, to investigate how structured gameplay, dialogue and reflection can make critical-thinking practices visible and transferable.