Nina Kiel Joins TH Cologne's Inclusive Gaming Project as Research Assistant
– 1 min read
They have been an advocate for inclusive gaming for years, a Head of Diversity & Inclusion in the industry and a renowned games journalist and researcher. Now, Nina Kiel has started as Research Assistant for a project on inclusion in gaming at TH Cologne.
They have been Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Flying Sheep Studios in Cologne until the developer closed down in January, a Games Journalist & Researcher with a focus on diversity and inclusion in games for various clients from Ubisoft and gamescom to the Goethe- and Grimme-Institut, and a podcaster for German success broadcasts Insert Moin and The Pod. Since this month, Nina Kiel is now working as a research assistant at the TH Cologne on a project on inclusion in gaming, with the working title InclusiveGameLab.
The aim of the InclusiveGameLab (WT) project is to promote inclusive access to games through the targeted sensitisation of prospective game developers and media educators as well as people working in the field. Teaching and learning materials will be developed over the course of the 18-month project, tested in educational practice, implemented in the degree programme and then made available to the public free of charge. The materials are developed in cooperation with the ‘Gaming ohne Grenzen’ initiative of ComputerProjekt Köln e.V. and in collaboration with younger target groups and experts with disabilities. The InclusiveGameLab (WT) is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the DATIPilot innovation sprint until 28 February 2026.
In a statement to GamesMarkt, Kiel is elated about their new place of work and project: “Diversity and equal opportunities in games culture have been the most important focal points of my work for ten years now. I am delighted to now be able to make a targeted contribution as part of the InclusiveGameLab (WT) project to breaking down access barriers to the medium and sensitising people from game development practice to the topic of inclusion.”
Written by
Pascal Wagner is Chief of Relations of GamesMarket and Senior Editor specialised in indie studios, politics, funding and academic coverage.
