In her doctoral dissertation, MSc. Josephine Baird explored how trans people use role-playing games as a safer space to explore, express, and embody their gender; especially when it might be difficult or dangerous to do so in everyday life. Arguing for, and using, qualitative methods that challenge traditional approaches to the social sciences, Josephine Baird also found that digital and analogue role-playing games can educate on trans experience and provide a unique way for queer heritage to be recorded and experienced. This work is of particular importance at a time of anti-trans global political and social trends that have reduced trans people’s rights and safety to be themselves in their everyday lives.
The doctoral dissertation titled Role-playing Games as Transformative Spaces for Trans People to Explore, Express, and Embody Gender by MSc. Josephine Baird will be publicly examined in the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences at Tampere University on 6 November 2026. The dissertation is in the field of media, communication and performing arts, specifically games studies.
The Opponent will be Associate Professor Edmond Y. Chang from Ohio University in the United States of America. The Custos will be Docent Jaakko Stenros, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University.