Dr William Huber honoured with Horizons Faculty of Excellence Award

Falmouth University’s Associate Professor of Game Studies, Dr William Huber, has received international recognition for his contribution to games education. He was awarded the 2025 Horizons Faculty of Excellence Award for Teaching at IndieCade’s annual Game Educators Symposium, which brings together game educators from universities and industry to share ideas and build community.

The award celebrates educators who make an outstanding impact on their students and on the wider field of games education. Dr Huber’s teaching draws on his background in game studies, media theory and visual culture, contributing to the intellectual depth and critical curiosity of the Games Academy’s approach.

“Great games teaching is built on engagement with the world around us,” said Dr Huber. “Game making is both an intellectual and an aesthetic experience. The most memorable games capture something about our condition and ask us to pay attention. At Falmouth, we teach our designers, writers and artists to understand how the games they make affect those who play them, and the community at large.”

Dr Huber joined Falmouth after leading game education at Abertay University and teaching at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. From 2017 to 2023 he also served as President of the Digital Games Research Association, advancing international collaboration in the study of games and play.

Reflecting on the recognition, he added: “Creative experimentation is built on intellectual curiosity. We should be exploring literature, history, philosophy and art, while asking how we make games in a sustainable and ethical way that respects the creative, intellectual and technical labour that underpins our field.”