Description
To meet the needs of international studies as a developing discipline, this paper discusses how video games can contribute to evolving IR pedagogy by making complex topics more accessible, relatable, and engaging. Reflecting on the creation and first season of Leveller, a podcast which uses video games as a springboard and lens through which to discuss political issues, this paper presents a case study on cultivating a more inclusive, versatile and innovative approach to expand the pedagogical toolkit. The podcast combines episodes which allow for reflection on how political topics are presented in video games with guest episodes in which the two hosts interview a fellow academic about their own research, while drawing links to a video game. In doing so, the podcast reimagines how scholars, educators, and students can engage with complex global issues. In creating a space to grapple with imagined scenarios that in some ways mirror real-world crises, this novel pedagogical approach aims to foster critical thinking, empathy, and a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness of global challenges.
