The International Esports Federation (IESF) today announced new details for the World Esports Academia Competition 23, in partnership with the Busan Metropolitan City and the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF).
For the third installment this year, two chosen research subjects will be featured: “Esports Toxicity: The Challenge, Evidence and Solutions” and “Managing Harassment in Esports – The Role of Accountability and Standards to Address the Harassment.” Current undergraduate students and members of the World Esports Family with a bachelor’s degree are invited to conduct research on the topic and submit their findings.
IESF Secretary General Boban Totovski said: “We look forward to the return of the WE Academia Competition in 2023. The annual initiative helps to encourage new and relevant academic research within the esports ecosystem and contributes to the overall growth and development of the industry. Together, we can use esports as a catalyst for change and help create a welcoming environment for the entire World Esports Family.”
The coveted prize for the first-place winner is a certificate from IESF Acting President HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud and 4,000,000KRW ($2,985). Second and third place will also receive a certificate from IESF Acting President and 2,000,000KRW ($1,492) and 1,000,000KRW ($745), respectively. The research results will also be posted on the World Esports Archive.
The application submission period is now open through December 3. Submissions will be reviewed from December 4 to 15, and the winners will be announced between December 18 and 22.
Since 2021, the WE Academia Competition has brought together members of the World Esports Family to encourage new ideas and academic research that will benefit the future of esports. In 2022, “Diversification of Esports Events for the Guarantee of Right for the Disabled” and “Using Self-sustainable Energy Generation as a Multi-functional Strategy to Improve the Overall Health, Wellness, and Well-being of Esports Athletes” took home the competition’s top honors.