A research game that investigates ethical decision-making during climate-related crises — how professionals prioritize under pressure, and what the consequences are for individuals and society.
Saving of Swedovia is a research project developing an interactive simulation game to explore how people navigate ethical dilemmas during climate hazards. In the game, participants take on the roles of politicians, civil servants, and first responders in the fictional country of Swedovia, facing difficult decisions where competing values clash and there are no clear right answers.
The project brings together expertise in political science, game design, and emergency management to create a research tool that is both scientifically rigorous and engaging for participants. By simulating realistic crisis scenarios, we can study how different groups approach ethical trade-offs and what factors influence their decision-making under pressure.
Systematic review of research on ethical dilemmas in crisis management. Development of the theoretical framework.
Conducting in-depth interviews with practitioners in crisis management. Their real-world experiences directly inform the game's scenarios and decision architecture. Simultaneously designing and developing the simulation game.
Testing with practitioners and stakeholders. Iterating on game mechanics, scenarios, and the ethical dilemma framework.
Conducting studies using the game to investigate how ethical dilemmas are handled in practice and what consequences different priorities have for crisis response.
Public release of the game, research data, and accompanying analysis as open resources for education, training, and further research.
The research behind Saving of Swedovia is an ongoing, interdisciplinary process. Below you will find information about upcoming presentations and — as the project develops — publications, data, and insights into how game mechanics can serve research purposes.
Linköping University
Harvard University
Joel will be staying in the Cambridge area for a while — send a message and meet for coffee!
More information about publications, research data, game mechanics for research, and related topics will be published here as the project progresses.
Are you a professional in crisis management, emergency services, or leadership training? Get in touch to learn more about the project. Researchers interested in cooperating with the project are also very welcome to reach out.
