The Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Rijeka invites applications for the 2026 Summer School titled Serious Games and World Politics, organized as part of the Erasmus Mundus MA programme International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS), in cooperation with the Research Centre for Advanced Studies (RECAS) and the Serious Games Lab at the University of Belgrade. The summer school will take place from 13 to 19 July 2026 at Moise Palace on Cres Island, Croatia.
The aim of the summer school is to introduce participants to wargaming as a lens for understanding world politics. Through a combination of lectures, simulations, and hands-on gaming sessions, participants will explore how strategic games can illuminate historical developments, contemporary geopolitical dynamics, and possible future scenarios. The programme will also critically examine wargames themselves, including their methodological limitations, biases, and assumptions. In the final part of the summer school, participants will be introduced to the basics of game design and will have the opportunity to test-play two pilot games currently under development at the Serious Games Lab of the University of Belgrade. Participants will attend one online preparatory meeting with the organisers in June 2026 prior to the start of the summer school.
Location
The summer school will take place at Moise Palace in the historic town of Cres on Cres Island, Croatia.
Applicants should have an interest in international relations, security studies, strategic studies, or related fields. The interest in wargaming is a plus but not a requirement.
Participants are responsible for organizing and covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.
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explore the use of wargaming as a tool for analysing world politics
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participate in wargaming exercises facilitated by a dedicated team from the University of Glasgow, University of Belgrade and Ohio State University
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engage with leading scholars and practitioners working on serious games and security studies
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take part in the development and testing of new serious games developed at the University of Belgrade’s Serious Games Lab
Deadline for applications: 15 April 2026
Contact email for applications: cas@cas.uniri.hr
