Understanding how identity shapes economic outcomes is a critical yet challenging topic to research—and teach. To make this learning process more engaging and accessible, two AidData experts developed and piloted Capital & The Other, a board game designed to help students explore the interplay between identity and economic systems.
Sethu Nguna, AidData’s Training and Instructional Design Manager, led the design and development of the board game. She currently spearheads AidData’s new training program, leveraging the research lab’s expertise to deliver in-person workshops to data-driven professionals on international development finance and data journalism. Nguna has previously developed immersive learning experiences, including scenario-based learning and virtual reality, and is working with the W&M Studio for Teaching and Learning Innovation to launch AidData’s first online courses.
Nguna’s work on the game was informed by her partnership with Dr. Nara Sritharan, a Visiting Assistant Research Professor at AidData and the Department of Economics at William & Mary (W&M). Dr. Sritharan has co-authored nearly a dozen policy analyses, opinion pieces, and peer-reviewed publications with her student researchers, and last year she received the W&M Influential Educator Recognition, celebrating faculty who have made a significant impact on students’ academic and professional journeys. She teaches empirical microeconomics and a course on the “Economics of Identity,” for which this board game was developed and playtested.
Nguna and Dr. Sritharan’s development of the board game was supported by a $2,000 Learn, Discover, Innovate Grant from the W&M Studio for Teaching and Learning Innovation, won by Nguna through a competitive application process. Together, the duo leveraged interactive gameplay to prompt students to critically examine identity and its influence on economic opportunities and outcomes.
What is “Capital & The Other”?
Capital & The Other was created as a pedagogical intervention for Dr. Sritharan’s “Economics of Identity” course, specifically for the module on theorizing identity. The goal of the game is to provide students with a hands-on way to explore complex topics that can sometimes feel abstract in traditional lectures. By stepping into the shoes of different characters with unique identities, players experience firsthand how societal structures and individual circumstances can influence their access to social and financial resources and opportunities.
“We wanted students to see how identity factors like race, class, or gender shape economic outcomes—not just in theory, but through lived experiences,” said Dr. Sritharan. “The game allows them to engage with these dynamics in an immersive way.”
How the game works
Capital & The Other is built around four main components that simulate real-world dynamics:
- Identity profiles: Each player receives an identity profile that outlines their character’s background, including factors like race, class, and gender. These profiles set the stage for how players interact with the game world.
- Types of capital: Players manage four types of capital—Financial, Social, Cultural, and Human. These resources are influenced by their identity profiles and play a key role in navigating the challenges presented in the game.
- Game board and event cards: Players move across the board by rolling dice and encountering event cards that present opportunities or obstacles. These events reflect real-world scenarios tied to identity and economics.
- Reflection: After each round, players engage in guided reflections to connect their experiences in the game to broader economic concepts.
“The reflection prompts are where the real learning happens,” said Nguna, emphasizing the importance of reflection in the gameplay. “They help students ‘think out loud’ and connect what they’ve experienced in the game with larger economic theories and ideas.”
Design and testing
The game was developed and refined through playtesting. The key session took place at The Hive in the Earl Gregg Swem Library in November 2024, where students tested the game and provided feedback on its mechanics and learning outcomes. Observations from these sessions helped fine-tune the game to better meet its educational goals.
“Students were very engaged but raised important questions about how different forms of capital interact—like whether gaining financial capital always requires giving up human capital. Their feedback helped us clarify these dynamics,” said Nguna.
The Learn, Discover, and Innovate Grant from STLI played a crucial role in supporting this development phase. It provided resources that enabled iterative improvements based on student feedback while ensuring alignment with pedagogical goals.
Expanding into virtual reality
While the board game version has been well-received, the project team is now exploring ways to adapt it into an Extended Reality (XR) format. A virtual reality prototype is currently being developed to make the experience more immersive and accessible. This digital version aims to preserve the core elements of the board game while leveraging technology to enhance learning, such as haptic feedback, where players experience physical sensations in real life that correlate to the in-game environment.
“The XR version will allow us to reach more students while creating an even more engaging environment for exploring identity-based disparities,” said Dr. Sritharan.
Why a game?
The decision to use a board game as a teaching tool is grounded in educational theory. Research suggests that interactive learning experiences can improve engagement and understanding by making abstract concepts more tangible. The design of Capital & The Other draws on theories like Situated Learning (learning through real-world contexts) and Embodied Cognition (learning through physical interaction) to create a meaningful educational experience.
The approach resonated with students. “Games create a safe space for experimentation,” said Sethu. “Students can explore difficult topics like inequality without fear of judgment while still grappling with real-world complexities.”
Looking ahead
Capital & The Other offers an alternative approach to teaching about identity and economics—one that emphasizes interaction, empathy, and critical thinking. By encouraging students to explore these topics through gameplay, it creates opportunities for deeper learning and reflection.
As this project continues to evolve—including its transition into virtual reality formats—it aims to serve as a resource for educators looking for innovative ways to teach complex social issues. By combining academic rigor with creative design, Capital & The Other seeks to make learning about identity and economics both engaging and impactful.
Reflecting on what makes this project unique, Dr. Sritharan said the team’s hope is “that this game not only helps students understand economic systems but also fosters empathy by showing them how identity shapes opportunities—and challenges—in profound ways.”
