Kseniia Harshina
PhD researcher, University of Klagenfurt
Works on participatory, autobiographical game-making and migration; organizer and facilitator.
What is this event?
Everyone carries stories that are hard to tell in words. Games let us explore those stories safely: through play, imagination, and creativity. This workshop invites you to tell a story that feels meaningful to you, at your own pace and comfort level.
This event is...
- 👥Open to people with or without previous game-making experience
- 🌈Welcoming everyone (18+) with lived experiences of migration and/or displacement
- 🧠Organized by researchers with personal experiences of migration.
- 💬Offering translation, mentorship, and all necessary materials
How it works:
- We’ll start with a short introduction workshop, followed by supported creation time
- You can work alone or in a small team.
- Games can be digital or non-digital (Twine, RenPy, paper, collage…).
- You decide what to share and what to keep private.
English Poster
پوستر رویداد به فارسی
الملصق العربي
Постер українською
पोस्टर (हिन्दी)
Veranstaltungsplakat auf Deutsch
Creating a Safe, Respectful Space
This event brings together people with different life experiences, cultures, languages, genders, and ways of expressing themselves. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or harm of any kind. If this occurs, we may ask someone to leave to ensure a safe environment for everyone.
💌 How to Join
Send us a short message. We’ll reply and guide you through the next steps.
📧 Email: tell.your.story.jam@gmail.com
You can write in English, German, Ukrainian, Arabic, or Farsi.
About Registration
- In-person spots: ~20
- Reply time: we confirm availability by email within 1–2 days
- Before the event: if your in-person spot is confirmed, we’ll ask you to fill a registration form before November 28.
📝 View registration forms for confirmed participants (choose your language)
Privacy: We only use registration info to organize this event. If you also consent to take part in the research, any research data is stored separately, anonymized, and retained per university policy.
Schedule (approximate)
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Welcome & introductions
Tea/coffee, name badges, quick setup.
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Mini workshop
Twine & paper prototyping basics.
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Game creation time
Mentors on call for feedback.
-
Lunch
Vegan/veg options.
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Continue creating
Mentor support & playtesting.
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Sharing circle & reflections
Share only what feels okay for you.
We’ll adapt timing to the group’s needs.
Can’t join us in Klagenfurt?
No worries, you can still take part online! 💻
If you'd like to tell your story or share a small game inspired by migration experiences, you can join us remotely and upload your project to our Itch.io page.
🕹️ Any kind of game, analog, digital, is welcome!
🗓️ Submit your game before: November 30
Who is organizing this?
Games can express emotions that words sometimes can’t. When people create games about their own experiences, they find new ways to reflect, connect, and be seen on their own terms.
We believe that people with lived experience should shape how their stories are told.
We use a format called a game jam - a short, creative workshop - to support people in making small autobiographical games. These can be fictional, metaphorical, or based on real memories.
Our project follows the belief that co-creation is more powerful than representation. Research on autobiographical game-making shows that participatory storytelling can support empowerment and community, rather than observation alone (Danilovic et al., 2024).
Examples of Stories of Migration, Identity and Belonging
A few small narrative works that explore migration, memory, and belonging - from autobiographical testimony to metaphorical, healing-focused play.
An autobiographical game about escaping Syria, created by Jack Gutmann. Jack co-designed the game along the team at Causa Creations. Jack will join our jam in Klagenfurt to support participants with feedback and mentoring!
Short visual narrative using themes of healing through metaphor.
Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical memoir (and animated film) about growing up during and after the Iranian Revolution, migration, and identity. Not a game, but a powerful reference for personal storytelling and displacement.
FAQ
Do I need to code?
No. We’ll show Twine (no code) and support paper prototypes. You can pick what feels best. Getting started with Twine
Live far away from Austria and can't join in person?
You can still participate by joining our itch.io page!
What if English isn’t my first language?
Multilingual facilitators will be available; Key info will be available in English, German, Farsi, Arabic, and Ukrainian, and we’ll do our best with other languages.
Can I come for part of the day?
Yes. We recommend staying for the start (onboarding) if you can, but it’s okay to arrive later or leave early.
Will my story stay private?
You decide what you share. Your game can be personal, fictionalized, symbolic, or completely metaphorical — whatever feels safest for you.
You never have to share your game with others or publish it online if you don’t want to.
Can I come with a friend or support person?
Yes, please mention it in the registration form so we can plan space and materials.
I’m a refugee/asylum seeker. Can I study at the University of Klagenfurt?
Yes, through the MORE programme. Eligible applicants can attend courses with no tuition, library access, and the option to take exams. Learn more or apply via more-initiative@aau.at and the University page
Do I need any experience with games?
No prior experience needed. The jam is beginner-friendly.
Read More about Game Jams as places of Education, Culture and Community
Our event builds on inclusive jam practices and research showing that creative, participant-led game-making can support reflection, agency, and community.
- 🧠 Danilovic, Chee & Skop (2024): participatory, autobiographical game-making supported dignity, connection, and recovery among participants.
- 🤝 Inclusive jam practices lower barriers and build learning networks for newcomers and mentors.
Links: paper (2024) · inclusive jam practices
Ready to join?
Send us a short message at 📧 tell.your.story.jam@gmail.com