Micael Sousa

Summary

Games that make the difference

Through game-based planning processes, we can foster participation and collaboration. Citizens, stakeholders, and experts can play in a safe environment, testing ideas and decision-making. This way, we can engage all participants and achieve better solutions for urban problems, addressing even those more complex and demanding cases. Using analogue games delivers versatile and powerful approaches. Adding and combining them with digital technologies can enhance the experience. We can adapt the process to the users and project goals, saving resources. This way, we achieve positive environments where collaboration emerges, fuelled by imagination and innovation. Let's play!

Biographic summary

PhD in spatial planning by the University of Coimbra and University of Porto (Portugal). Two graduations, one in civil engineering and the other in History. Two master’s degrees, one in energy and environment and the other in heritage studies. Researcher at CITTA (University of Coimbra). Post-doctoral research fellow at the Spatial Dynamics Lab, School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy of the University College Dublin: about applied games, planning support tools for decision-making and civic engagement.

Worked on several private and public construction projects and was the manager of the building g maintenance system of the Polytechnic of Leiria. Between 2013 and 2017, he was the councillor's advisor for urban planning and environment for Leiria city (i.e., Master plan, Strategic Urban Development Plan, Climate change adaptation plan, and Idea Contest for Urban Regeneration). 

Developed game-based dynamics for participation and collaboration for UrbanWins (Horizon project). Creator of several serious games, including those that supported the UrbSecurity project (Urbact) to foster collaborative planning dynamics with the local community. Member of the Gym2beKing project team about using modern board games to train soft skills for health students at the Polytechnic of Leiria. Team member for science research projects funded by the Portuguese Science Foundations (FCT): Flavour game and Game-in. Game designer for serious games and gamification for Portuguese national institutions: Administrative Modernization Agency (AMA) and PlanAPP. Serious game designer for the collaborative processes of the Municipal Health Plan for the Municipalities of Leiria and Marinha Grande (Portugal), and the Sustainable Mobility Plan of the Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira (Portugal). Game-based developer and facilitator of activities for the national summer school by the Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos (FFMS). Some of his projects are available at www.msseriousgames.com

Guest teacher at Lusófona University, Polytechnic of Leiria and IADE – Creative University, teaching game design, analogue games, game prototyping and serious game development and applications. Winner of the Portuguese national prize “Trainer of the Year” in 2019. Member of the ISAGA (international association of serious games), SPCV (Portuguese association of videogame science) and Portuguese Order of Engineers. Certificated trainer (general) and and teachers' certified trainer by the Continuous Assessment Committee (University of Minho).

In 2014, he was one of the founders of the Leiria City local board game community group, having done several collective initiatives regarding game usage in local schools, health, and social institutions. In 2018, he created the “Jogos no Tabuleiro” YouTube channel, one of the most active video platforms about modern board games in Portugal and game design/game-based content. Founder of the Asteriscos Association and the “Boardgamers de Leiria” project coordinator. He is a member of the staff of Leiriacon, managing “Leiria Talks” (the academic event of Leiriacon).