Research

My research focuses on theoretical approaches to the analysis of digital games and persistent virtual worlds.  The complex interaction between game-system, surface sign, medium and player present in any digital game process mean that any approach to their analysis is going to privilege one or more aspects of this inter-related matrix.

My current research emphasizes the conjunction of these elements from the perspective of the player with a focus on the elements that contribute to involvement and immersion.  These related topics were the subject of my doctoral thesis and a number of journal papers and conferences I attended.

On a broader level, I have written about hypertextuality, literature and technology, posthumanism and cyberculture in general.  Although my current research duties are particularly focused on digital games, I my background in Literary Theory and Media Studies inform my current work.