Ola Leifler

Associate Professor

My research interest is centred on promoting the dialogue in conversations about social change through large-scale social simulations (megagames). As a teacher, I have a strong interest in sustainable development.

Presentation

Since 2013, I am employed as a lecturer at the Department of Computer and Information Science. My research interest is centred on creating good conditions for conversations about social change through large-scale social simulations (megagames). As a teacher, I also have a strong interest in sustainable development.

Research

My research is interdisciplinary and focused on how we can create greater understanding of the complex challenges we face through the use of social, large-scale simulations. We study how conversations about the transformation of energy systems, sustainable consumption and the countryside can be supported by formats where you get to experience new perspectives through the participation in a large-scale game. The aim is to stimulate better conversations about change and gain greater understanding of the complex issues, which have many different perspectives that need to be understood at the same time.

Teaching

I teach in subjects close to our research, including our course in Megagame design for sustainable development (ETE367/TDDE50). In addition, I contribute to many other courses, preferably ones that clearly touch on sustainability issues.

More on megagames

Games for Social Transformation - an external page with more information about our various megagame-related activities.

Publications

2025

Ana Moreira, Patricia Lago, Rogardt Heldal, Stefanie Betz, Ian Brooks, Rafael Capilla, Vlad Constantin, Leticia Duboc, Joao Paulo Fernandes, Ola Leifler, Ngoc-Thanh Nguyen, Shola Oyedeji, Birgit Penzenstadler, Anne-Kathrin Peters, Jari Porras, Colin C. Venters (2025) A Roadmap for Integrating Sustainability into Software Engineering Education ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology, Vol. 34, Article 139 (Article in journal)

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Cecilia Enberg, Anders Jidesjö, Ola Leifler, Donatella Puglisi (2025) Case Study Three: Challenge-Based Learning for Sustainability Education A Practical Guide to Understanding and Implementing Challenge-Based Learning, p. 131-139 (Chapter in book)

2024

Emily Hofstetter, Ola Leifler, Björn Johansson, Peter Berggren (2024) Facilitating systems thinking in serious game design by highlighting inter-player relationships ECCE '24: Proceedings of the European Conference on Cognitive Ergonomics 2024, Article 23 (Conference paper)

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Anne-Kathrin Peters, Rafael Capilla, Vlad Constantin Coroama, Rogardt Heldal, Patricia Lago, Ola Leifler, Ana Moreira, Joao Paulo Fernandes, Birgit Penzenstadler, Jari Porras, Colin C. Venters (2024) Sustainability in Computing Education: A Systematic Literature Review ACM Transactions on Computing Education, Vol. 24, Article 13 (Article, review/survey)

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2023

Azeem Ahmad, Francisco Gomes de Oliveira Neto, Eduard Paul Enoiu, Kristian Sandahl, Ola Leifler (2023) The Comparative Evaluation of Test Prioritization Approaches in an Industrial Study 2023 IEEE 23rd International Conference on Software Quality, Reliability, and Security Companion (QRS-C), p. 35-44 (Conference paper)

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Research projects

Switching the Current

Through so-called Megagames, the project "Switching the current" aims to increase knowledge about how current design and transformation of the energy system affects the surrounding society, environment and climate.

The Climate Change Megagame

The Climate Change Megagame is a large-scale game with elements of board gaming, role playing and conflict gaming, and up to a hundred players can participate.

Research news

High voltage towers in the dusk of the evening.

SEK 9 million for research into a sustainable energy megagame

Researchers at LiU, among others, have been awarded SEK 9 million from the Swedish Energy Agency for an interdisciplinary research project to develop a megagame intended to contribute to the development of future sustainable energy systems.

Östergötland’s future – forest fires and drought?

The Climate Change Megagame was held on 21 November. This is a huge online game that simulates future climate change in Östergötland, with participants playing the part of various local actors.

Organisation

A person sits in front of a computer screen and handles a floor robot

Software and Systems (SAS)

The SAS division is part of the Department of Computer and Information Science. The division conducts research and education in software engineering and computer systems, covering both basic research and projects in cooperation with industry.

Didacticum (DID)

Didacticum is a centre of pedagogic excellence created by the vice-chancellor. Our pedagogical developers and personnel contribute in a creative and innovative manner to improving expertise and methods in education and teaching at the university.