Personal profile
Personal profile
Dr. Jing Sun is a game scholar who is dedicated to promoting game literacy in China. Her work empowers students to get an in-depth understanding of game ecology, develop a critical approach to game cultures, and design their own games. She got her doctoral training at Nankai University in China and the University of Virginia in the United States. Dr. Jing Sun’s research interests include game studies, game industry, and game design. She’s been the Chinese translator of several books on game studies and game design, and co-edited Introduction to Chinese Game Studies and Connected Esports Research. Her latest book Gamescape: What Video Games Can Tell Us About Our Culture And Society (《嬉游志：透过电子游戏看世界》) was published in 2024. As a regular contributor to Chinese media and think tanks, she’s also written game criticism articles and game industry reports.
Research interests
game culture
game industry
game design
indie games
serious games
Experience
Associate Professor - Academy of Film and Creative Technology, XJTLU - 2023 to present
Director - Game Research Center, Perfect World - 2018 to 2021
Teaching
I’m looking for potential PhD students in games. If you're passionate about the research in this field, please email me your CV and a brief research proposal.
Education/Academic qualification
MSc in Digital Humanities, KU Leuven
PhD in Cultural Studies, Nankai University
Research areas
- video games
Person Types
- Staff
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Active
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Playable Heritage: A Syntegrative Approach to Heritage Games
Sun, J. (PI)
1/09/25 → 31/08/28
Project: Internal Research Project
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Replaying China: A Cultural History of Chinese Video Games
Sun, J. (PI)
1/01/24 → 31/12/26
Project: Internal Research Project
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中国游戏文化对外贸易发展报告（2025）
Translated title of the contribution :Foreign Trade Development Report of Chinese Game Culture（2025） Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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游戏赋予文化遗产更强生命力
Translated title of the contribution :Games as a Catalyst for Revitalizing Cultural Heritage Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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首都游戏产业对外贸易发展报告（2025）
Translated title of the contribution :Report On Chinese Game Culture In Overseas Market(2025) Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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From Game Addiction to Game Culture: The Panorama of Chinese Video Game Research
Sun, J., 3 Jan 2024, The Chinese Video Game Industry. Chen, F., McAllister, K. & Ruggill, J. (eds.). Palgrave Macmillan, (Palgrave Games in Context).Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Activities
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AFCT Undergraduate Open Day
Ye, X. (Organiser), Sun, J. (Participant), Liu, Y. (Participant), Leong, W. K. (Participant) & Yu, Y. (Participant)
28 Mar 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in an event e.g. a conference, workshop, …
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Global Media and China (Journal)
Sun, J. (Reviewer)
Jan 2026 → …Activity: Peer-review and editorial work of publications › Publication Peer-review
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Game Studies (Journal)
Sun, J. (Reviewer)
Sept 2025Activity: Peer-review and editorial work of publications › Publication Peer-review
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Journey to The West: Playable Wukong, Social Anxieties and Cultural Dilemma
Sun, J. (Speaker)
Aug 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar
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Playable Heritage: Traditional Culture in Games
Sun, J. (Speaker)
Jun 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar