Dr Andrew Reid joined Abertay University in 2018 as a Lecturer in Games Production. His research activity is focused on the design, production, and evaluation of 'applied games' with particular sectoral interests in the third-sector, youth development, and heritage and culture. He is interested in collaborative and interdisciplinary practices to explore novel applications of game technologies to address social challenges, including socioeconomic deprivation, digital exclusion, and educational inequalities.

Andrew achieved his undergraduate degree in Game Design and Production Management at Abertay University (2015) and his PhD in Applied Game Design from Glasgow Caledonian University (2018).

Andrew is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2025), Member of the AHRC Peer Review College (2022-2027), and Member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (2024-2029).

Andrew delivers undergraduate and postgraduate teaching on modules centred in applied game development, game-based user research, and quality assurance practices. His approach embodies situated learning experiences through the inclusion of live clients and authentic simulations of industry practices.

Andrew established AberTesters, a student community of practice engaged in quality assurance and user research practices. Andrew facilitates testing opportunities for students with industry and academic partners: since its inception, the community has engaged over 150 students and tested various commercial and research-focused games.

Undergraduate Teaching

• DES103: Quality Assurance and User Research
• DES403: Research Design for Games
• DES404: Honours Project (as supervisor)

Postgraduate Teaching

• DES511: Applied Games and Research Practice

Postgraduate Supervisions

• Completed:
  • Olena Saienko (PhD, 2023-2025)
  • Fraser Simpson (MbR, 2021-2023)
  • Vedant Sandare (MbR, 2019-2020)
• Current
  • Dylan Arnold (MbR, 2024-)
  • Dani McFawns (MbR, 2024-)
  • Akos Demuth (PhD, 2024-)
  • Eliza Ralph (PhD, 2024-)
  • Gordon Brown (PhD, 2020-)

Andrew's research has broadly explored the design, development, and evaluation of applied games across various contexts, such as heritage and culture, education, health and wellbeing, and within the third sector. Andrew emphasises a collaborative approach to applied game development, working alongside subject experts to produce authentic and impactful applied games. 

Games and Youth Development

Andrew has collaborated with third sector organisations to explore the co-production of games to address social issues such as digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, and public engagement. He is interested in the way that games - and democratised game development processes - can address barriers and challenges that young people face, and create opportunities for those from marginalised and underrepresented backgrounds.

Example projects include:

• Game Design for Youth Work was a youth-led game development project with YouthLink Scotland, DataKirk, and OYCI. The project evidenced impact mapped to the National Youth Work Outcomes and Skills Framework and produced two games (Dodge the Fog, Scales of Sorrow) highlighting important social issues to young people.
• Collaborations with Fife-based organisation BRAG Enterprises have aimed to address socioeconomic inequalities and positive destinations for young people. This has received national recognition from YouthLink Scotland for its approach to Digital & STEM.
• CumbraeCraft is a heritage-themed game on the Minecraft Education platform designed for primary schoolchildren. The game was developed alongside a complete suite of lessons based on the discovery of local heritage of the Isle of Cumbrae in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

Altruism in/of Games

Andrew is interested in conceptual and practice-based research opportunities to explore altruistic approaches and experiences in games. He is keen on pursuing opportunities to explore ways in which games can inspire player audiences to adopt altruistic behaviours to support third sector organisations, such as volunteering, fundraising, donating, and awareness-raising.

Example projects include:

• CHAS Play, a curation of games developed by students in partnership with Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS): one such project, Boccia Champions, was awarded a Bronze Award at the Serious Play Conference 2019.

Game Cultures and Game Analysis

Andrew has published in the broad spheres of game cultures and game analysis. More specifically, Andrew is interested in the overlap of fandoms between games and sports communities, and the analysis of historical games for understanding collective memory and history education.

Memberships

Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (2025)

Member, RSE Young Academy of Scotland (2024-2029)

Member, AHRC Peer Review College (2022-2027)

External Examinations

Glasgow Caledonian University, BSc (Hons) Games Development (2025-2029)

Academy of Contemporary Music, BA (Hons) Games Development and Futures (2022-2025)

Technological University Dublin, BA (Hons) Game Design (2018-2022)

MCR Pathways Mentor

Andrew is a Mentor for MCR Pathways (2024-) and continue to support young people to experience quality of education outcomes, career opportuntiies and life chances.

STEM Ambassador

Andrew was a STEM Ambassador through STEMNET (2016-2023) and sought to offer insight and advice to young people who may wish to consider a career in the games industry, particularly to those from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds.