Last year, Ropecon inaugurated an academic seminar alongside its regular programming. It went great, so they’re doing it again. I’m not personally involved though I will be there. The pre-registration is now open, the tentative program is out, and it looks really great.
This year they’re kicking it up a notch with a keynote speaker flown in from the States. Jon Peterson is known for the groundbreaking brick of a book that is Playing at the World: A History of Simulating Wars, People, and Fantastic Adventure from Chess to Role-Playing Games, which delves into the influences that coalesced into Dungeons & Dragons in 1974. The level of detail is staggering. They’re also collaborating with the journal Simulation & Gaming, and the best papers may end up in a special symposium issue.
Get your tickets here. Tea, coffee, and lunch are included.
Worlds in a Handful of Dice 
Worth noting is that the academic seminar ticket includes also a Friday ticket to Ropecon itself. And if one is so inclined, that one day Ropecon ticket can be upgraded to the whole weekend ticket in the usual manner by just paying the difference (12 euros).
An excellent point, thank you!