About Us
Open & Free Research & Community Programs
Improving Lives Through the Power of Accessible & Inclusive Role-Playing Games
Our Roots Begin in 1977
RPG Research is a 501(c)3 non-profit research and human services charitable organization, that is 100% volunteer-run, studying the effects of all role-playing game formats and their potential to improve lives around the world. This includes tabletop, live-action, electronic, and hybrid formats.
Beginning with our founder, we have been involved with role-playing games since 1977, researching their effects since 1983, using RPGs for educational goals since 1985, with incarcerated populations since 1990, and in therapeutic settings since 2004.
In 2018 we had only 10 regular volunteers (partnering with many other organizations). As of February 2020 we hit over #118! Our volunteers span 5 continents, and come from diverse backgrounds and demographics.
Meet the Executive Team
Hawke Robinson, CEO, Founder. GM 19.
Founder and chief visionary, Hawke is the driving force behind RPG Research. He loves to keep his hands full by participating in the development of the organization.
A diverse background and involved with RPGs since 1977.
A Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist.
John Welker, VP, Co-founder.
GM 5.
Johnloves taking on challenges. A US Army veteran, including the Gulf War. A background in nursing, and involved with role-playing games since 1979.
A Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist.
Danielle Whitworth, Board of Directors Secretary, Co-founder.
GM 4.
Danielle has a diverse background in board games, video games, sports medicine, and recreational therapy.A Washington State Department of Health Registered Recreational Therapist.
Kate Hyatt, Treasurer & PM
Kate is an invaluable contributor to RPG Research. Previously spending many years at the innovative Tesla company as a project manager, we are most fortunate to have her on our team.
Daniel Ivey, Board of Directors.
GM 2
Coming all the way from Florida, Daniel has been a critically helpful and important team member. An artist by trade. He has helped us with our show broadcasts as A/V crew, original artwork, and helping with the RPG Training programs, as well as our general community programs.
Brooke Lively, Vice-Chair
We are so fortunate to have Brooke on our team. While juggling working for other non-profits, she helps us so very much with our programs and daily operational planning. We originally met Brooke when she was in charge of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's (MDA) summer camp programs. She was impressed with our programs provided to MDA and joined our staff. She has been with us for several years. She helps also as weekly administrative role to help us prepare each week's events. We are so grateful to have her expertise on board.
Professor Emily Messina, CTRS, Ph.D. Board of Directors
Professor Messina is the head of the Therapeutic Recreation program at Eastern Washington University. We are so fortunate to have her on our board. Emily has been a valuable contributor to our program design, partnerships with EWU, and various Therapeutic Recreation (TR) associations including Washington State (WSTRA), Pacific Northwest (PNWTRA), and American national (ATRA) associations.
We are working on providing a directory of our 100+ volunteers spanning 5 continents.
If you would like to volunteer to help with this page, please contact us.