Amanda Wilson was nominated by the public for the YGD Mentor Award, for her involvement in the education of young game designers. Although the prize was awarded to Michael Warburton, Head of Games Development at Cambridge Regional College, Amanda was delighted to be nominated, and to attend the awards ceremony in London.

“I was over the moon to be nominated for the BAFTA Young Game Designers Mentor award as encouraging children to get into games design is something I've been working on for a long while - at the College and also in the work I've done elsewhere, during my PhD and beyond.

“Getting to attend the awards ceremony was awesome. Even though I didn’t win I am really proud to be a BAFTA Nominee especially as I was the only mentor there from Scotland.”

Amanda’s delight continued into the following week, when she received a special message from the judging panel:

“The judges were particularly impressed with your nomination and wanted to commend and encourage you to keep up the good work! In particular, the fact you are focussing on primary children and inspiring girls to try their hand at game-making from a young age deserves special praise. Your Game Jam is a model that can act as an example to other schools and teachers.”

Amanda is also busy completing her PhD at UWS in Paisley, where she has spent 5-years researching Games-based learning. Amanda also organises ‘Game Jam’ sessions for young people across Glasgow, developing the coding skills of young people in areas with few opportunities.

Amanda is clearly kept busy, but her enthusiasm for her subject, and the College, remains strong.

“I really love it here at WCS; I’ve worked in other colleges before, but it’s great to work somewhere where you’re valued and supported. Once I’ve finished my PhD I hope I can continue to put my work into practice, in the College and elsewhere, encouraging pupils who never had the opportunity before to code.”