On 12 February 2026, Jane Yau gave an online presentation of the GREAT project at the World Forum for Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship (WFSIE) 2026. The title of the presentation was “Game-based civic engagement for climate policy and citizen-policymaker dialogue“.
Abstract: The GREAT project aims to establish an innovative communication channel between citizens and policy-makers on the climate emergency through a multi-disciplinary consortium. The consortium unites two game companies and seven academic partners to harness the power of interactive digital games for civic engagement and informed policy-making. By leveraging the unique capabilities of game-based platforms, the project seeks to transform how environmental concerns are communicated and addressed.
Central to the project is the oversight and coordination of over 10 real-world co-designed case studies. These case studies involve collaboration with policy stakeholders and actively integrate feedback collected directly from citizens. Participants voice their concerns and suggestions regarding various climate policies, via playful game platforms, and the resulting data is systematically shared with policy-makers, enabling more targeted and responsive decision-making processes.
In parallel, the project leads the development of an integrated survey hosted within popular games, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program. This survey has already reached over one million players, generating approximately 180,000 responses. The survey captures diverse attitudes and preferences regarding climate policies, offering valuable insights into public opinion. The aggregated data will be transformed into an interactive, user-friendly dashboard available on the UNDP website, fostering transparency and continuous dialogue between citizens and policy-makers.
Ultimately, this initiative merges the fields of gaming, academic research, and public policy to empower citizens, stimulate robust environmental discourse, and drive effective policy interventions for the climate emergency.
About: The World Forum for Science-Innovation and Entrepreneurship (WFSIE) is a transformative global initiative committed to redefining the relationship between science and society by employing scientific outputs to impact communities, solve pressing problems, and advance development agendas. WFSIE will serve as a global platform for innovation, research management, and entrepreneurship-shaping a future where science builds an integrated, multi- and transdisciplinary ecosystem in response to today’s most urgent global challenges. WFSIE is a platform for change-makers that includes scientists, researchers, research managers, policymakers, educators, artists, and storytellers from across the globe, working to bridge the gap between knowledge creation, idea development, and real-world transformation. The World Forum seeks bold, purpose-driven ideas and projects that blend innovation, ethics, and impact—initiatives that rethink the role of science and entrepreneurship in shaping a more sustainable, inclusive future.
GREAT_Science Innovation_ Presentation