Proceedings of the 9th International Toy Research Association World Conference
Toys Matter: The Power of Playthings (Rochester, NY USA 9-11 August, 2023)

Edited by Gilles Brougère and Greta Pennell

The 9th World Conference of the International Toy Research Association is organized in collaboration with The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY USA.

The International Toy Research Association (ITRA), founded in 1993, is devoted to the scientific study of toys in all their facets. ITRA brings together toy researchers from all corners of the globe (see www.itratoyresearch.org for further information). This is our 9th World Conference to discuss research, collaborate on international projects and exchange information with other researchers, students and leaders in the toy industry. More than 80 international delegates attended our previous meeting in Paris, France in 2018.

The Strong National Museum of Play (https://www.museumofplay.org/) is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play.

The overarching theme for the 9th ITRA World Conference is Toys Matter: The Power of Playthings. The conference also marks the 30th anniversary of ITRA’s founding. All play objects, whether physical, digital or hybrid, are included in the scope of toys to be discussed at this conference.  This includes games, as well as indoor and outdoor play spaces.