James D. IvoryView profile
Professor
James D. Ivory is a Professor of Media Studies in the Department of English at Virginia Tech's College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He has been a faculty member at Virginia Tech since 2005, initially in the Communication department before transitioning to the English department. His work bridges the humanities and digital media studies, focusing on the social and psychological impacts of interactive technologies. Ivory directs research in the VT G.A.M.E.R. Lab, part of the university's Digital Media Research Facility, and has established himself as a leading scholar in game studies and digital media effects research. Dr. Ivory's educational background includes: Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2005) M.A. in Communication from the University of Wyoming (2002) B.S. in Communication from the University of Wyoming (2000) Dr. Ivory's primary research focuses on the social, behavioral, and cultural dimensions of interactive digital media, particularly video games, simulations, and virtual environments. His work examines how technological features of new entertainment media affect users' experiences and behaviors. He also investigates research practices and how scientific findings are communicated to both scholarly communities and the public. His interdisciplinary approach spans communication, psychology, human-computer interaction, and media studies, addressing critical questions about digital media's role in society, including issues of representation, ethics, and mental health impacts. His recent publications demonstrate a growing emphasis on methodological rigor in digital media research, with increasing attention to open science practices and research reproducibility. While maintaining his focus on video games and virtual environments, his work has expanded to address broader questions about scientific communication, research ethics, and the translation of findings to policy contexts. His scholarship shows a trajectory from examining specific media effects toward more meta-scientific concerns about how research in this field is conducted and communicated. Dr. Ivory has received recognition through media coverage of his expertise in major outlets including USA Today and The Washington Post, particularly regarding video games and digital communication. His work has been cited extensively across multiple disciplines. As an educator, Dr. Ivory has mentored numerous students through course instruction and curriculum development. He has been instrumental in developing innovative programs including the Digital Game Design/Analysis curriculum and Communicating Science initiatives. His teaching spans research methods, communication technology, media effects, and digital media production. Dr. Ivory leads the VT G.A.M.E.R. Lab (Games, Applied Media, and Experimental Research), which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research on interactive media. The lab supports both faculty and student research projects examining various aspects of digital gaming and virtual environments. Through this facility, he fosters collaboration between humanities scholars and technologists to advance understanding of digital media's societal impacts.
