James O'Hagan is a leader in connecting and promoting esports in education. With over 20 years of experience in education, he is a leader in connecting and promoting esports as a medium for learning, engagement, and well-being for students of all ages and backgrounds.

As host of The Academy of Esports podcast, where he advocates for the transformative potential of esports and shares insights, best practices, and research on topics related to esports and education. Additionally, he is an advisory board member of the MKEsports Alliance, a network of organizations and stakeholders that aims to position Milwaukee as a hub for esports investment, competition, and development. James is working towards a Ph.D. in Instructional Technology from Northern Illinois University and is passionate about exploring novel methods to captivate diverse learners by harnessing the universal appeal of video games and the joy of play.