In this episode we host Rajiv Vaid Basaiawmoit, an innovation educator, sustainability advocate, and Head of Sci-tech Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Aarhus University. Rajiv is also the co-founder of Biosymfonix EduGames, where he develops innovative educational tools that bridge science, sustainability, and real-world problem-solving. With years of experience designing and running interactive learning experiences, Rajiv is passionate about making complex topics accessible, engaging, and actionable.
Rajiv takes us inside the creation of Pactopolis, a research-based board game designed to simulate negotiations for sustainable development. In Pactopolis, players represent different industry sectors, governments, and civil society, all trying to co-develop a region while staying true to sustainability goals. The game throws you into the messy, dynamic world of multi-party negotiation: balancing economic, environmental, and social objectives, facing resource crunches, responding to policy triggers, and dealing with the realities of both collaboration and competition.
During our conversation, Rajiv shares the inspiration and research journey behind Pactopolis and explains how the game models distributive versus integrative negotiation strategies. He reflects on surprising lessons learned from playtests in business schools, environmental programs, and international classrooms, and discusses why gaming can often reveal more about negotiation behavior and human nature than traditional classroom methods. We also talk about how Rajiv’s own experiences have shaped his approach to education and sustainability innovation, and what he’s learned about the challenge of fostering real collaboration, fairness, and change. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that explores the power of game-based learning, the future of negotiation research, and what it really takes to drive sustainable change.
