How can LARP cultivate democratic engagement? A seminar with Sarah Lynne Bowman
Join Sarah Lynne Bowman on 7 October for an online seminar exploring how live action role-playing can support critical thinking, mutual understanding and democratic participation.
At a time when disinformation spreads rapidly and democratic principles face increasing challenges, how might role-playing help people engage with different perspectives and practise democratic skills?
In this seminar, Sarah Lynne Bowman, Senior Lecturer at Uppsala University’s Department of Game Design, Campus Gotland, will explore how role-playing games can raise awareness, build resilience and create opportunities for democratic engagement.
Practising democracy through The Assembly
Central to the discussion is The Assembly, a role-playing scenario developed within Larpocracy, the Horizon Europe research project investigating the potential of larp to strengthen democratic values and civic skills.
The scenario simulates how community members can participate in democratic deliberation. Participants practise articulating their positions while listening carefully and respectfully to others, including when perspectives differ substantially. The emphasis is on developing mutual understanding and the skills needed to sustain democratic dialogue.
Through this example, the seminar will examine how the design and practice of role-playing can offer a space to explore disagreement, encounter alternative viewpoints and rehearse forms of civic participation.
About the speaker
Sarah Lynne Bowman is a founding member of the Transformative Play Initiative, a research group examining role-playing as a medium for personal and social transformation.
She also received one of Uppsala University’s 2026 Distinguished Teaching Awards, recognising her contribution to “Assessment that promotes student learning,” particularly within transformative game design and larp.
Attend the seminar
Date: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Time: 12:00–13:00 CEST
Language: English
Format: Online via Zoom
Further reading and viewing
Bowman, S. L., Öberg, P., Johansson, K., & Waern, A. (2025). Mapping the Design Terrain between Live Action Role-Playing Games and Deliberative Events for Democratic Skill Development. In Education and Analog Role-Playing Games (pp. 232–279). CRC Press. (The book is available online via the University Library.)