Sahar Mirhadi

University of York

After completing a Master's degree in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, Sahar became intrigued by the potential of games to help individuals deal with challenging times, drawing from her experience of using games to cope with burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. After joining the IGGI program is 2021, this passion has only developed in research and advocacy work, from being a student rep and conference committee between 2021-2023.  

In addition to her academic pursuits, Sahar is an accomplished Magic: The Gathering player. She also runs a YouTube channel called the Legacy Gambit, which provides fun and accessible content for the eternal Magic: The Gathering formats. Sahar is also a Safe In Our World Ambassador, a recipient of the Magic: The Gathering New Perspectives Grant for Marginalised Players, and a member of the Birds of Paradise collective.

A description of Sahar's research:

Sahar's research delves into the multifaceted role of video games in helping individuals cope with personal difficulties. Her first study examined how specific aspects of games can facilitate various coping strategies during challenging times. The findings suggested that games have unique attributes that can assist players in dealing with difficult circumstances and engaging in different coping strategies. Her subsequent research study aims to have a deeper understanding by focusing on specific games with distinct core mechanics and features to uncover more nuanced relationships between different game elements and coping strategies, and to establish how these relationships evolve over time. 

Her overall aim with these studies aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics between video game aspects and coping mechanisms, shedding light on the potential benefits and limitations of video games in supporting individuals facing personal challenges.