West Virginia University - Department of Communication Studies West Virginia University - #ixlab National Communication Association - Game Studies Division (chair)
My research explores human-technology relationships, identity, and embodiment in interactive media ... in other words, I'm interested in how people connect with machines and digital content and how that influences how they see themselves as unique personalities and as humans. Although this work encompasses human connections with technologies from social media and mobile devices to social robots, most of my work focuses on player-avatar relationships in video games, and how players' connections with video game characters contributes to the experience of play - including the natures of social interaction, challenge and skill, problem-solving, and immersion and narrative engagement. As a 'military brat' myself (my mom was in the Navy and my dad was a career Marine) and with other family members currently serving active duty, I'm deeply invested in extending this research to explore the ways that video games matter to servicemembers and veterans.
