Jan James is a gaming content creator, Twitch streamer, English teacher, and podcaster. She began gaming at age 44 alongside her 3 children. In her thesis, she examines how navigating rich, narrative driven RPG worlds translates into real world confidence, empathy, and personal transformation for female players. In a teaching career spanning over 25 years, Jan has primarily taught English and Communications. She has worked with students at the elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate levels.
EXPERTISE _____________________________________________
Specialization: Gaming research, gender/sexism, media studies, power, qualitative methodology, race/racism, rhetorical theory, role playing games (RPG), visual rhetoric, womanist theory, women and gender studies.
Research Focus: The correlation between race, gender, and power and how these issues negatively affect self-identity and job opportunities for marginalized groups from the real world into cyberspace in such popular areas as the gaming industry and media.
PUBLISHED THESIS __________________________________________________
Transfigured Women Gamers: Understanding the Transformative Nature of Immersive Gameplay
James, Jan E. University of Wyoming ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2018. 10812767.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2133026905/CC64A1A87F564251PQ/1
PAPERS PRESENTED/CONFERENCES __________________________________________________
(2018, April 11-14). Presentation Title: Erasures: A Cluster Criticism of Infinity Ward’s Game Covers for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Shepard Symposium on Social Justice Annual Convention, Laramie, Wyoming.
(2017, November 16-19). Presentation Title: Negating the Female Gamer: A Cluster Criticism of BioWare’s Game Covers for Mass Effect: Andromeda. NCA 103rd Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.
(2017, July 21-25). Presentation Title: Profile of a Female Gamer: Activating Self Identity and Body Image Through RPG Gameplay. VISCOM 31 Annual Convention, Coupeville, Washington.
MEDIA INTERVIEWS __________________________________________________
1. James, J. (2017, November 15). Dr. Patton to speak in Germany. Branding Iron. http://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?s=dr.+patton+to+speak+in+germany
2. James, J. (2017, November 16). Jan James shares gaming diversity research. Branding Iron. http://www.uwbrandingiron.com/?s=gaming+diversity+research
HONORS AND AWARDS __________________________________________________
(2018). Top Thesis Award in the Department of Communication and Journalism which included receiving the William Donaghey Award as part of the prize at the University of Wyoming.
(2017). Recipient of the Amy and Eric Burger Fund Scholarship given by the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Wyoming.
(2012). Honors Certificate awarded by the Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston, Texas for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
(2012). Chosen for Lambda Epsilon Chi while attending the Center for Advanced Legal Studies in Houston, Texas.
(2005-2006). Awarded the Golden Apple Award for Teaching at Henderson Middle School, which is part of Hardin-Jefferson ISD. The recipient of this award is nominated for enriching the lives of others and is awarded the Golden Apple Award for Teaching in recognition of their dedication and commitment to their profession. When awarded, Channel 6 KFDM News comes into your classroom to film and surprise you with a plaque.
(2005). CTM in Toastmasters International for completing the Communication and Leadership Program manual, thus earning the rank of Competent Toastmaster (CTM).
(2005). Area 7 Winner for the International Speaking Competition (Toastmasters International).
(2005). Division & District 68 Runner-up for Humorous Speaking Competition (Toastmasters International).
(1998). Selected for Who’s Who among Students in American Universities & Colleges while earning B.S. in Elementary Education at Lamar University.
