About VGTVG

The Meaningful Digital Experiences Research Lab (MDXR LAB) at Monmouth University proudly presents Valid Gains Through Video Games (VGTVG). Since 2023, this unique annual conference, founded by Erik X. Raj and hosted at Monmouth University, aims to combine the exciting and important worlds of education and video games. With an emphasis on growing speech, language, and communication abilities, we believe that video games are a powerful medium that naturally engages players through storytelling, problem-solving, social interaction, and so much more. Therefore, our mission is to start, support, and celebrate meaningful conversations about this belief through this conference. By bringing together forward-thinking individuals from various roles in schools, healthcare, private practice, and video game design/development, we aim to generate ideas that help everyone see how video game experiences can be thoughtfully infused into learning and therapeutic goals. We believe that from this 21st-century approach, today’s students, clients, and patients can better succeed in the “game of life” and “level up” in education, therapy, and beyond.

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Recapping VGTVG 2025

Thank you to the over 100 attendees who joined us for last year’s VGTVG. Your presence and participation were instrumental in making the event a resounding success. We were thrilled to welcome speakers and participants from our home state of New Jersey, from nearby neighbors like New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, and from more distant states such as Ohio and Indiana. Having representatives from across the United States enriched our discussions and fostered a truly collaborative learning environment. This diversity of perspectives and experiences helps us all grow and learn together. Please enjoy the following recap video to get a feel for just how fun and impactful VGTVG 2025 was.

When, Where, and How Much?

Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM

Monmouth University Graduate Center,
185 State Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764 (Building C)

Registration is free for
VGTVG 2026

A NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER:
Excited for VGTVG 2026!

Erik X. Raj

Associate Professor at Monmouth University, Director of the MDXR LAB (West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA)

VGTVG 2026 is shaping up to be our best installment yet! This year, we’re excited to bring you a full-day, in-person conference filled with high-level talks, top-notch poster presentations, dynamic panel discussions, and plenty of interactive opportunities to explore purposeful video game play.

What makes VGTVG truly special is the way it blends learning, collaboration, and fun within a community that values creativity and innovation. There is no other conference quite like it, and we at the MDXR LAB are honored to bring it all together for you. Our hope is that you will leave inspired, with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and an even deeper appreciation for the power of video games in both classroom and clinical settings. The official VGTVG 2026 schedule will be updated soon, but for now check out who we’re having as our keynote and invited speakers: hat highlights all the specifics connected to VGTVG 2026.

INVITED KEYNOTE:

Life Is A Video Game: What I’ve Learned From Navigating The Levels As A Person Who Stutters

Gareth Walkom

Founder of withVR, Virtual Reality Developer & Researcher (Ghent, Belgium)

It’s our absolute honor to welcome Gareth as the keynote speaker for VGTVG 2026. Originally from the United Kingdom and now based in Belgium, Gareth is a proud person who stutters and the founder of withVR, a customizable virtual reality tool for speech, voice, and hearing therapists, researchers, and educators. Since 2015, he has been actively shaping the field of speech-language pathology through publishing and reviewing research and collaborating with major organizations including Google, the National Health Service (UK), and the European Commission. A lifelong video game enthusiast, Gareth will share how video games have shaped his journey and continue to inspire the innovative work he leads today.

Announced Invited Speakers

  • Luisa Rinaudo

    Founder of The Therapy Garden (Hazlet, New Jersey, USA)

  • Josh Bound

    Executive Director of Video Games Club of America (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, USA)

  • Patt Dennis

    Library Media Specialist, Lead Researcher for Garden State Esports, New Jersey City University Doctoral Student (Orange, New Jersey, USA)

  • Kacey Doran

    Assistant Teaching Professor and Esports Academic Coordinator at Rowan University (Glassboro, New Jersey, USA)

Additionally, the day will showcase interactive and playful panel discussions, and  several accepted poster presentations will be on display at the conference. Poster presenters—including public and private K-12 educators, healthcare providers, video game designers/developers, industry and academic researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students—will be available to discuss their work and engage in conversations with attendees. If you’re interested in submitting a peer-reviewed poster presentation for consideration for VGTVG 2026, please visit the Submissions page.

Sponsors

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for supporting VGTVG 2026

Donors

Thank you to the following individuals for supporting VGTVG 2026

  • Felicita Chipak

  • Patt Dennis

  • Peterson Louis-Jean

  • Christina Bartlik

  • Luisa Rinaudo

  • Steven Green

  • Megan Foley

  • Erin Bayer

  • Heather Scalise

  • Paula Thomson Schiappa

  • Megan Lopez

  • Anonymous Donor

Join Us

This conference is designed to be inclusive, fostering an environment where every participant feels welcomed, respected, and valued. We firmly believe that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich the event and contribute to significant discussions and collaborations. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, all are encouraged to participate actively, share their unique insights, and engage in constructive dialogue.

  • Information shared at VGTVG will benefit various professions and communities including:

    • K-12 teachers, child study team members, related service providers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.

    • Healthcare providers such as patient technologists and technicians, therapists and rehabilitation specialists, and social and emotional support team members.

    • Private practice-based educators, therapists, and specialists.

    • Video game designers, developers, and enthusiasts.

    • Industry and academic researchers.

    • Undergraduate and graduate students.

  • Visit our Schedule page to learn more about what the day of the conference will look like.

  • Visit our Registration page to register for this conference.

PAST CONFERENCES

Visit our Past Conferences page to learn more about the previous VGTVG installments that have taken place.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

Visit our Contact page to connect directly with the people behind this conference.