Background

Michael was born and raised in Knoxville, TN in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. After homeschooling K-12, he started at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, but transferred and graduated from Bryan College in Dayton TN with a degree in communication. While first on track to become a film editor, Michael discovered during his time in graduate school at Regent University in Virginia a passion for research and teaching; particularly as it relates to interactive media, psychology, and theology. He completed his dissertation on ethical decision making in video games in 2016 and graduated from Regent that same year. In the time since, Michael has worked at several Christian universities teaching courses in mass media, screenwriting, film aesthetics, video game studies, interpersonal communication, and many other communication-related courses.  

Michael enjoys the things he researches, and as such, video games, board games, RPGs, and science fiction play a large part in his spare time. That, along with spending time with his wife (Regan), dog (Clementine), and cat (Toulouse) hiking outdoors fills most of his free time. Finally, he also greatly enjoys playing the Irish flute and Tin whistle when he gets the chance.

Publications

Boling, Michael. (2019). Simulated Stress: An Analysis of Video Game Genres in Relation to Possible Stress Reactions in Players from a Neurological Perspective. Journal for the Liberal Arts and Sciences, 23(2), 65-90.

Boling, Michael. Virtual Responsibility: Video Games and Ethical Considerations in Players. Doctoral Dissertation. Virginia Beach, VA: Regent University Press. 2016. Print.

Boling, Michael. Excalibur and Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Postmodern Adaptations of Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte de Arthur. Masters Thesis. Virginia Beach, VA: Regent University Press. 2010. Print.

Presentations

Boling, Michael. “Simulated Stress: An Analysis of Video Game Genres in Relation to Possible Stress Reactions in Players from a Neurological Perspective.” Article presented at the Midwest Popular Culture Association Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 2019.

Boling, Michael. “The Call of the Prophet: The Book of Eli as a Modernist Warning to a Postmodern Society.” Paper presented at Campbell University’s Faith and Communication Conference, Buies Creek, North Carolina, March 2012.

Boling, Michael. “Excalibur and Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Postmodern Adaptations of Sir Thomas Mallory’s Le Morte de Arthur.” Presented at Campbell University’s Faith and Communication Conference, Buies Creek, North Carolina, March 2011.