The White Paper on Board Game Research in Spain 2026 (Libro blanco de la investigación del juego de mesa en España), published by Belén Moreno Garrido from Un Toque de Juegos, offers an overview of the growing scientific research community dedicated to board games in Spain.
Released in November 2026 in connection with the Professional Congress of the DAU Barcelona Festival, the publication brings together 36 profiles of researchers and science communicators from 17 universities and other organisations, providing more than 80 links to scientific publications, doctoral theses, books, and other research resources.
The White Paper highlights the diversity of disciplines exploring board games, including education, psychology, health, history, game design, and communication. It also illustrates the increasing recognition of modern board games as subjects of scientific inquiry and as tools with potential applications in different professional and educational contexts.
Ludus Magnus and UEMC Research Featured in the Publication
Among the researchers featured is Azael J. Herrero, Professor at the European University Miguel de Cervantes (UEMC), member of the LudIA research group, and founder of Ludus Magnus (European Institute for Modern Board Games).
His research profile, presented on page 13 of the White Paper, highlights four main areas of investigation:
- Health and ageing: Evaluating the impact of modern board games on executive functions, cognitive performance, and quality of life among older adults.
- Education and skills development: Investigating the effectiveness of board game-based learning in developing key competencies, teamwork, and social skills.
- Board gaming culture and participation: Exploring sex-based differences in modern board gaming habits and player characteristics in Spain.
- Game history and design: Analysing the evolution of modern board game design and mechanics between 1930 and 2025, based on a dataset of more than 104,000 games from BoardGameGeek.
These research activities reflect Ludus Magnus’ commitment to promoting evidence-informed applications of modern board games in education, health, and social development.
Connecting Research and the Board Game Community
Beyond showcasing individual research contributions, the White Paper provides a valuable resource for researchers, educators, game designers, and organisations interested in the scientific study and practical applications of board games.
By bringing together researchers from different disciplines and institutions, the publication helps increase the visibility of board game research, encourages knowledge exchange, and contributes to strengthening connections between academia and the wider board game community.
At Ludus Magnus, we welcome this initiative and congratulate Belén Moreno Garrido and Un Toque de Juegos on their contribution to mapping and promoting board game research in Spain.
Download the White Paper
The publication is freely available in Spanish and includes researcher profiles, references, and links to scientific resources.
Download the White Paper on Board Game Research in Spain 2026 (PDF – Spanish)
Reference: Moreno Garrido, B. (2026). Libro blanco de la investigación del juego de mesa en España. Un Toque de Juegos.
Source: Un Toque de Juegos – Official Publication
Cover of the White Paper on Board Game Research in Spain 2026, authored by Belén Moreno Garrido and published by Un Toque de Juegos.
