Flash Flood! – A SeriousGeoGame combining science festivals, video games, and virtual reality with research data for communicating flood risk and geomorphology
Abstract. The risk of flooding around the world is large and increasing yet in many areas there is still a difficulty in engaging the public with their own flood risk. Geomorphology is a science which is linked to flooding and can exacerbate risks but awareness of the science with the public is low, and declining within academia. To increase awareness it is important to engage the public directly with the science and those who are working to reduce flood risks – this starts by inspiring people to seek out further information through positive experiences of the science and researchers. Here, a new framework is presented to engage the public with specific research projects by using the best components offered by the popular mediums of games, virtual reality, and science festivals, to allow the public to get hands on with research data and models – SeriousGeoGames. A SeriousGeoGame, Flash Flood!, was developed around real geomorphology survey data to help engage the public with a flood risk related research project by placing them in a river valley as it undergoes a geomorphically-active flooding from intense rainfall event. Flash Flood! was exhibited at science festivals and similar events in the UK by scientists on the project, and supported with online content including videos. Through event feedback it was shown to create positive experiences for participants and inspired curiosity as seen through online analytics. This is hoped to inspire more fruitful engagements with relevant agencies in the future when it matters most.