— Welcome to Ludus Magnus
About us
European Institute for Modern Board Games (EIMBG) is a Spain-based organisation dedicated to learning, development, and social impact through modern board games and gamification. Ludus Magnus is EIMBG’s trade name, reflecting our mission to train the “gladiators” of the 21st century through play.
With a strong academic background, our team has been pioneering the research and practical application of Modern Board Game-Based Learning and gamification. What started in educational contexts has proven effective across multiple fields, including education, psychology, occupational and care settings, personal development, and organisational environments. We don’t just deliver training—we design transformative experiences that make learning engaging, meaningful, and memorable, with personal, social, and professional impact.
Through EIMBG, we actively take part in Erasmus+ and other European cooperation projects that promote learning through modern board games and gamification. We collaborate with schools, universities, associations, and experts to develop innovative methodologies that foster education, inclusion, and critical thinking—helping people reach new goals, build key skills, and face 21st-century challenges with the mindset of a true gladiator.
Ludus Magnus was founded by Azael Herrero and Alfonso Lahuerta, combining their experience in research, education, management, and modern board game-based learning. Today, the team brings together professionals and collaborators from education, psychology, research, and game-based learning.
Azael Herrero
I am a Full Professor at Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes (UEMC), Spain, and hold a PhD in Sport Sciences (European distinction) from the University of León, where I received the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize. I have more than twenty years of experience in university teaching and research. At UEMC, I have also held senior academic leadership positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences (2014–2015) and Vice-Rector for Academic Planning and Faculty (2015–2018).
My early research career focused primarily on training and exercise physiology. In recent years, however, my research has increasingly focused on board game-based learning, gamification, and the educational and psychosocial applications of modern board games. I currently coordinate LudIA, a UEMC research group dedicated to board game-based learning and gamification, and serve on the Editorial Review Board of the International Journal of Game-Based Learning (IJGBL).
I have been a board game and role-playing game enthusiast for as long as I can remember. In 2011, I began using modern board games in educational contexts, initially as a way to educate and motivate my daughters. This experience led me to explore gamification, and since 2017 I have incorporated gamified learning designs into all my university courses.
Over the years, I have led and contributed to numerous local and Erasmus+ projects (KA1 and KA2) involving primary school pupils, VET learners, university students, educators, and other target groups. These projects have explored the use of modern board games and gamification to develop key competences, improve learning experiences, and foster social and cognitive skills. I have also implemented board game-based cognitive stimulation programmes for older adults living in residential care settings, in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Valladolid.
In addition, I am a SALTO-YOUTH trainer listed in the Trainers Online for Youth (TOY) database, and I am a member of the Spanish Tolkien Society.
You can also follow my job and professional journey in my LinkedIn.
Alfonso Lahuerta
I hold a PhD in Sport Sciences and an official Master’s degree in the Management and Administration of Sports Facilities and Organisations. I have over 25 years of experience teaching in Secondary Education and Upper Secondary (Bachillerato) across several schools, and more than 20 years of experience as a university lecturer.
I have a strong background in teaching methodologies and educational innovation. I have taken part in educational innovation projects, and I currently teach pedagogy-related subjects, including Teaching Methodology, in an official teacher training Master’s programme. Alongside my academic career, I have worked as a coach and strength and conditioning specialist in several sports disciplines.
I also have extensive experience in designing and delivering leisure and sports activities for both young people and adults. Over the years, I have managed and led companies and facilities in the leisure and sports sector, and I previously served as Director General of Sports for the regional government of Castilla y León for eight years.
I co-founded Ludus Magnus after seeing the educational potential modern board games had for my three children—an insight that inspired me to turn game-based learning into a structured, impactful approach for schools, organisations, and communities.
Miriam Herrero
I am an Educational Psychologist and Psychopedagogue, and I also trained as an Early Childhood Teacher. I hold postgraduate qualifications in Social Psychology and Sexology. I worked as a school counsellor for eight years, supporting students, families, and teaching teams in their learning and wellbeing.
I am currently completing a PhD at the University of Valladolid focused on the use of board games in Primary Education. I strongly believe in the potential of active methodologies and digital tools to enhance motivation and learning, and I have contributed to more than ten educational innovation initiatives and Erasmus-related projects connected to these approaches.
Esther Cardeñoso
I am a General Health Psychologist with a Master’s degree in General Health Psychology and a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology, as well as specialised training in third-wave therapies.
I collaborate with Ludus Magnus in projects exploring the use of modern board games in psychological, educational, and social contexts. I have taken part in board game-based interventions with university students and older adults, with a particular interest in the development of social skills, executive functions, and cognitive wellbeing.
I am also a board game and role-playing game enthusiast and strongly believe in the potential of games as tools for learning, interaction, and personal development.
Sonia Garrote
I am a Senior Computer Engineer with Master’s degrees in ICT and in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics. I have extensive experience as a lecturer and teacher trainer in software engineering, applied statistics and digital competences, and I am a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIEE).
At Ludus Magnus, I specialise in the educational integration of digital technologies, supporting teachers in the use of tools such as Minecraft Education and other digital environments within gamification and game-based learning. I also contribute to the design and management of our digital ecosystem, including the Ludus Magnus website and European project websites, combining technical expertise with accessibility, communication and effective dissemination.