Esports Expert Visits Hochschule Offenburg

Matt Knutson from the University of North Dakota in the United States is teaching and conducting research at the Media Department for one month thanks to a Fulbright scholarship.

22.05.2026 · News · Editorial Office: jd

Four men are standing side by side on a lawn in the shade of a tree
The team for Matt Knutson’s (second from the right) visit focused on esports has been finalized: Prof. Dr. Daniel Görlich, Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen (from the left), and Dr. Alexander Burdumy (right).

This is only the second time that Hochschule Offenburg has had the extraordinary opportunity to host a Fulbright scholar. Following the visit of American radio producer, sound designer, and storyteller Jim Metzner in 2017, Prof. Dr. Tobias Hagen, prorector for internationalization, and Prof. Dr. Daniel Görlich, dean of the Virtuelle Welten und Game Technologies program, now welcomed his compatriot Matt Knutson, an assistant professor with a research focus on esports at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Following a brief introduction to Hochschule Offenburg and the European university alliance ChallengeEU, as well as an overview of Matt Knutson’s work, Tobias Hagen, Daniel Görlich, Matt Knutson, and Alexander Burdumy, Director of the International Center, discussed the program for his visit. Among other things, Matt Knutson will advise university officials on expanding the e-sports program. In addition, the 40-year-old will offer intensive courses for students on June 5 and 12. An esports tournament for University members is planned for June 6, World Tetris Day. For all gaming and esports enthusiasts, including those outside the University, Knutson will give a public, English-language lecture on “250 Years of Competition in the U.S.” on June 11 at 5:30 p.m. in Building D, Room D001, a public lecture in English titled “250 Years of Competition in the U.S.” On June 20, a small public esports tournament will follow as part of Open Campus at Hochschule Offenburg.

In addition, Matt Knutson will visit colleagues in Germany and take the opportunity to continue his research on the history of esports—including the Atari VCS Bundesliga, founded in 1982, which is likely the world’s oldest esports league, albeit one organized privately by fans.