Participants will learn to approach complex topics with a systemic analysis, turn it into a design for an Interactive Digial Narrative (IDN) and realize it in the form of a prototype.
Embedded in the rich cultural heritage of Malta, participants will choose a lens (i.e. education, entertainment, journalism) to engage the complexity of a cultural heritage site through mentored group work.
The result will be an understanding of a systemic approach toward representing complex topics with IDN which will be applicable to a wide range of fields and topics.
The use of the latest AI tools will allow for fast prototyping of the learnt concepts of Interactive Digital Storytelling
Many contemporary issues such as migration, climate change and armed conflicts are highly complex and expose the limitations of established forms of representation such as written articles, videos, or books.
IDNs are an evolution of narrative which excels in representing complexity. They are applicable to a wide variety of subject areas and represent an opportunity in communication, education, research, and entertainment. The summer school therefore targets professionals and researchers working in areas such as
This summer school is provided by established experts in the field of IDN and AI.
The trainers combine expertise in game and VR development, AI, systemic analysis and design of Interactive Digital Narratives, Cultural Heritage representations, and feminist design approaches.
The training school builds on its three successful graduate training schools in Malta (2021), Messina (2022), and Gran Canaria (2023) organized by the EU COST action INDCOR, a grant connecting 250+ scholars and practitioners from 40+ countries.
ARDIN President Professor Media Technology, Södertörn University
Hartmut has published more than 60 research papers on the theory and practice the Interactive Digital Narrative and is the author of the main textbook of the training school. He proposed and chaired the EU COST Action INDCOR exploring complexity in Interactive Digital Narratives and developed the first training school together with fellow trainers Lissa and Jonathan. He has taught in all three previous editions of the training school. Hartmut is also the president of ARDIN (Association for Research in Digital Interactive Narratives) and a media artist.
Associate Professor of Computer Science at Stockholm University
Mirjam worked as development lead in game studios. As a scholar she is an AI expert with a focus on emotion modeling and character development developing large-scale RPGs for research purposes. Her additional expertise is in IDN theory. Mirjam is a fine artist selling her paintings on a Saatchi Art. Her latest project is Mind Stories, an interactive narrative board game focused on mental health. Mirjam was the Co-chair of EU COST Action INDCOR exploring complexity in Interactive Digital Narratives from 2019-2022 and she taught in the 2022 training school.
Associated Professor, INDE Lab, University of Amsterdam
Dr. Frank Nack is an Associate Professor at the University of Amsterdam's Informatics Institute, where he is a member of the INDE Lab. His research interests encompass digital narrative, hypermedia systems that enhance human communication and creativity, context and process-aware media knowledge spaces, and computational applications of media theory and semiotics. Dr. Nack has contributed to fields such as AI and film, automated video editing, and computational humor theory. In 2018, he was recognized as the University of Amsterdam's Lecturer of the Year, praised for his efforts to engage students critically and foster dialogue in his teaching. He currently serves as the Chair of the Examination Board for the MSc Information Studies and BSc Information Science programs.
Associate Professor in Media Arts, Aesthetics and Narration at University of Skövde
Lissa is a feminist media scholar leading the GAME (Games, Art, Media, and Experience) research group and teaching in Division of Game Development at University of Skövde. Lissa is a scholar and a media artist and has extensive experience in digital representations of cultural history. Lissa was the Co-chair of EU COST Action INDCOR exploring complexity in Interactive Digital Narratives from 2022-2024. She co-developed the first INDCOR training school in 2021 and also taught in the 2023 iteration.
Senior Lecturer, Saint Martin's Institute of Higher Education
Jonathan has more than two decades of experience teaching digital media theory and practice and is specialising in representing intangible cultural heritage in digital form. He was the project lead for the Re-Live History project: a VR version of the Hypogeum, a Neolithic complex dating back to 4100 BC. He is currently a PhD candidate at Trinity College Dublin, and is researching on the use of VR IDNs to represent uncertain cultural heritage in the Tarxien Neolithic Complex. Jonathan was the vice chair of WG3 on evaluation in the EU COST Action INDCOR exploring complexity in Interactive Digital Narratives and developed the first training school together with fellow trainers Lissa and Hartmut. He has co-organised and taught in all three INDCOR Training Schools (Malta (2021), Messina (2022), Gran Canaria (2023)).
Language of Instruction
Earned through readings, on-site instruction cultural visits, and group activities
Earned through readings, on-site instruction cultural visits, and group activities
+ a written follow-up report
Upon completion, participants will earn the ARDIN Expert in Complexity Representation certificate.
Koenitz, H. (2023). Understanding Interactive Digital Narrative: Immersive Expressions for a Complex Time. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003106425
Jonathan Barbara
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Mirjam Eladhari Palosaari & Hartmut Koenitz
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Mirjam Palosaari Eladhari & Hartmut Koenitz
Lissa Holloway-Attaway & Jonathan Barbara
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Lissa Holloway-Attaway & Hartmut Koenitz
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Hartmut Koenitz
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Price does NOT include
116, Triq Joe Sciberras, Il-Hamrun, HMR 1557, Malta
Name: Hartmut Koenitz
Email: hak@ardin.online
Name: Jonathan Barbara
Email: jbarbara@stmartins.edu
8:30am Registration at New Building
PUBLIC LOCAL TRANSPORT from VALLETTA
(€2.50 each way )
Valletta is the main hub for public transport buses: the majority of the buses carry passengers from Valletta to the rest of the island and back.
Remember, we drive on the LEFT! (like UK)
STOP AT “Nuzzo” Bus Stop (5th stop) + 1 min walk
STOP AT “Mile End 2” Bus Stop (3rd stop) + 3 mins walk
All buses listed below stop in Valletta
42, 47, 61, 52, 53, 58, 58A, 61, 62, 63, 64, 122
Contact us on training@ardin.online
