13 Fun Ways to Gamify Your PhD and Boost Research Motivation


The Power of Gamification in Research

Pursuing a PhD or conducting research can often feel like a marathon with no clear finish line. The process is long, tedious, and often isolating. However, gamification—applying game design elements to non-game contexts—can transform this challenging journey into a more enjoyable and motivating experience. By incorporating fun and rewarding elements into your daily routine, you can boost your productivity, stay engaged, and even rediscover the joy of research.

We are continuously building gamification elements into the R3ciprocity Platform to help you do research (Log in to see).

By the way, this would fit within the area of cognitive behavior therapy (as far as I know)–a highly effective way of therapy. And if there is anything that is particularly striking that we should add into the platform, always feel free to reach out.

But, here are 13 simple ways to gamify your PhD and research at home.

Here is a video about gamifying your life and you can see the origins of the R3ciprocity platform.

1. Set Up a Points System

Create a points system to reward yourself for completing tasks. Assign different point values to tasks based on their difficulty or importance. For example, you might earn 10 points for reading a journal article, 20 points for writing 500 words, and 50 points for submitting a paper. Set a goal for the number of points you want to achieve each week, and reward yourself when you reach it.

Why It Works: A points system gives you a tangible way to measure your progress, making even small tasks feel more rewarding. It also adds an element of competition, as you’ll be motivated to “score” as many points as possible.

2. Create a Progress Bar

Visualize your progress by creating a physical or digital progress bar. This could be a poster on your wall where you fill in sections as you complete different stages of your research, or a digital tracker that you update daily.

Why It Works: Seeing your progress in a visual format can be incredibly satisfying and motivating. It provides a clear picture of how far you’ve come and how close you are to achieving your goals.

We are building more progress bars into the platform, so stay tuned!

3. Use Timer Challenges

Set a timer for short bursts of focused work—often referred to as the Pomodoro Technique. For example, work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. Challenge yourself to complete a certain task within each time frame.

I do this all of the time – it is the only way I work. You need to take breaks on a regular basis.

Why It Works: Time challenges can make even the most daunting tasks feel more manageable. The ticking clock adds a sense of urgency, helping you stay focused and on track.

4. Design Your Own Achievement Badges

Create digital or physical badges for specific achievements in your research. For instance, you could have a badge for “First Paper Submission,” “100 Hours of Data Analysis,” or “Surviving Comprehensive Exams.” Display these badges in your workspace or on your social media profiles.

Why It Works: Achievement badges provide a sense of accomplishment and recognition, even if the reward is self-created. They also add a playful element to your research journey.

Will have to add this into the platform – it is a great idea.

You need to understand that you are valued. Read this.

5. Reward Yourself with Mini-Quests

Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable “quests.” Each time you complete a quest, reward yourself with something enjoyable—a favorite snack, a short walk, or a quick video game session.

Why It Works: Mini-quests help you focus on one step at a time, making large projects feel less overwhelming. The rewards keep you motivated and give you something to look forward to.

I like to think of myself as the “hero” in the story. It helps with feeling motivated to get things done. I also can blame the hero and not myself when things go bad.

This was a fun blog post to write about being a superhero.

6. Turn Your To-Do List into a Game Board

Transform your to-do list into a game board where each task is a step toward the finish line. You can create a simple board game-style layout on paper or digitally, with tasks as squares leading to a goal.

Why It Works: This approach makes your to-do list more interactive and engaging. Moving your piece closer to the finish line with each completed task adds a sense of progression and accomplishment.

We are trying to make more of this on the R3ciprocity Platform.

7. Incorporate Friendly Competition

If you have colleagues or friends who are also working on research, introduce a bit of friendly competition. For example, you can race to see who can finish a chapter first, or who can collect the most points in a week using your points system.

Why It Works: Competition can be a great motivator. It encourages you to push yourself harder and adds an element of fun, especially if there’s a small prize at stake for the winner.

I have mixed feelings about competition. The environment is already so competitive, but I guess with the right kind of competition, it can be healthy.

8. Host Research Challenges

Create and participate in research challenges, either solo or with peers. These could include challenges like “Write 1,000 words in a day” or “Read and summarize five articles in a week.” Share your progress and results on social media or with a study group.

Why It Works: Challenges provide a structured way to push your limits and accomplish specific goals. Sharing your progress with others also adds accountability and encourages you to stick to your plans.

Tried this in my class – it is hard to motivate everyone to participate.

9. Introduce Role-Playing Elements

Imagine yourself as a character in a game or story, such as a detective solving a mystery or a scientist on the brink of a groundbreaking discovery. Approach your research tasks as if they are part of this narrative.

Why It Works: Role-playing adds an imaginative and creative element to your work, making routine tasks feel more exciting and purposeful. It can also help you stay engaged and see your research in a new light.

Again, being the hero in the story always works.

Always play the long game.

10. Use Gamified Apps for Productivity

There are several apps designed to gamify productivity, such as Habitica or Forest. These apps allow you to turn your tasks into a game, where completing tasks helps you level up or grow a virtual tree.

Why It Works: These apps integrate gaming elements into your daily routine, making productivity feel more like play than work. The visual rewards and progress tracking can help maintain your motivation over time.

We are doing this with R3ciprocity, and we can only do it with your help. Consider signing up and donating to advance the mission.

11. Plan Research “Boss Battles”

Identify particularly challenging tasks or deadlines as “boss battles” in your research game. These could be major milestones like defending your thesis proposal or submitting a paper for publication. Prepare for these battles by gathering your “resources” (notes, data, literature) and setting a strategy.

Why It Works: Framing difficult tasks as boss battles can make them feel more epic and rewarding when completed. The preparation and strategy involved also encourage a more organized and focused approach to these critical moments.

12. Incorporate Daily Challenges and Random Events

Add variety to your routine by introducing daily challenges or random events. For example, you could draw a challenge from a jar each day, such as “Write 300 words in 30 minutes” or “Find and read one new article related to your topic.”

Why It Works: Daily challenges keep things fresh and prevent your routine from becoming monotonous. Random events add an element of surprise, which can make your research experience more dynamic and enjoyable.

Check out this test of the R3ciprocity platform. It works so well!

13. Celebrate Milestones with Research “Loot Boxes”

Create small “loot boxes” filled with rewards like snacks, fun stationery, or other small treats. Every time you reach a significant milestone—like completing a chapter or submitting a paper—open a loot box as a reward.

Why It Works: Loot boxes add an element of anticipation and excitement to reaching your goals. The tangible rewards inside the boxes serve as a physical representation of your progress and achievements.

I am a big fan of Easter Eggs. At some point, we will be adding Easter Eggs to the platform. Stay tuned.

Conclusion

Incorporating gamification into your PhD or research journey can transform the way you approach your work. By using simple tactics like points systems, progress bars, mini-quests, and friendly competition, you can make even the most challenging tasks more engaging and enjoyable. These strategies not only help you stay motivated and focused but also bring a sense of fun and excitement to the daily grind of research.

The key is to find the tactics that resonate with you and tailor them to fit your unique routine and goals. By gamifying your research, you turn what might feel like a never-ending marathon into a series of exciting challenges and rewarding milestones, making the process more satisfying and sustainable in the long run. So, start playing and enjoy the journey—you might be surprised at how much more fulfilling your research can become.

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