Who is Bertrik Berfelo? #

Bertrik Berfelo is a researcher, lecturer, and project leader at HAN University of Applied Sciences. He is affiliated with the Academy of Sport and Movement, where he specializes in Sports Economics and Strategic Sports Management. Bertrik leads the project “Gaming & Esports: The New Gelderland Power” (in Dutch) which focuses on the potential of esports, gaming, and gamification (EGG) to engage people in physical activity.

His work emphasizes the importance of aligning research, education, and professional practice to create meaningful impact. Bertrik collaborates with various stakeholders, including government bodies, students, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions, to share his expertise and drive innovation in the field of EGG.

Fields of Study #

• Esports and Gaming: Focusing on the potential of esports and gaming to engage people in physical activity and promote social cohesion.
• Exergaming: Combining exercise and gaming to motivate people to stay active in a fun and engaging way.
• Gamification: Using game design elements in non-game contexts to improve user engagement, organizational productivity, and learning.
• Sports Economics: Analysing the economic aspects of sports, including funding, financial management, and economic impact.
• Strategic Sports Management: Developing strategies for managing sports organizations and events effectively.
• Health and Well-being: Exploring how technology and gaming can contribute to physical and mental health.

Virtual Sports Research Interest #

Bertrik Berfelo’s research interests in virtual sports focus on exergaming and Extended Reality (XR). He explores how these technologies can make physical activity more accessible, enjoyable, and effective. His work includes studying the impact of virtual sports on physical and mental health, as well as their potential to address societal issues like obesity and social isolation.

Collaboration Requests #

Bertrik is open to working with various stakeholders, including:

• Educational institutions: To develop and implement training programs and curricula related to esports, gaming, and exergaming.
• Government bodies: To advise on policies and initiatives that promote physical activity and social cohesion through virtual sports.
• Entrepreneurs and businesses: To collaborate on innovative projects and commercial applications of exergaming and AR technologies.
• Healthcare professionals: To research and develop interventions that use virtual sports to improve health outcomes

Bertrik aims to collaborate within his network by fostering innovation and knowledge sharing across various sectors. He envisions partnerships that not only strengthen the direct participants but also benefit the broader ecosystem surrounding esports, gaming, and gamification (EGG). He believes that successful collaboration should create meaningful impact and drive innovation at the intersection of research, education, and professional practice.