Discover how Dungeons & Dragons transformed one school’s sense of community and student wellbeing. Join UK librarian and author Lucas Maxwell (MLIS’07) for an inspiring talk on storytelling, inclusion, and the power of play in education.
Abstract: Lucas Maxwell has been running Dungeons & Dragons in the high school library he manages in London, UK, for over seven years. During that time he’s observed and written about the mental health benefits the game has had for both students and staff alike.
After speaking to a wide variety of mental health professionals in both the UK and North America, it became clear that the game has therapeutic benefits that not only create a sense of community in and around the school, but also builds important social and interpersonal skills.
It also helps struggling students engage with reading and creativity and has helped Maxwell with his own wellbeing and mental health. In this presentation, Maxwell will discuss how he started the game with only five student players and how it blossomed into a school-wide phenomenon that led to his students developing D&D sessions for neurodivergent youth in literary festivals around London and in one of the largest libraries in the world.
Speaker Bio: Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Lucas Maxwell grew up on Nintendo, comic books and Dungeons & Dragons. He has been working in libraries for over fifteen years and is passionate about providing safe and welcoming library spaces for everyone.
In 2017 he was named the UK’s School Librarian of the Year and in 2024 he was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to libraries. His debut Young Adult novel, A Million Tiny Missiles All At Once, will be published by Chicken House Books in April 2026. He is proud to be a neurodivergent writer and grateful to be adding his voice to the world of literature. He currently resides in the UK with his amazing family and Biscuit the chocolate lab.
Learn more about the Dalhousie Horrocks National Leadership Fund
Consider donating to the fund and supporting future student leaders in information