John Borchert, Ph.D.
Director | Applied Research in Computer Arts, Digitization, and Esports (ARCADE)
Innovate UNCG
Email Address: jwborchert@uncg.edu
Dr. John W. Borchert is the founding director of Applied Research in Computer Arts, Digitization, and Esports (ARCADE) at UNC Greensboro, where they lead transdisciplinary initiatives at the intersection of gaming, applied research, and workforce development. With a vision to transform education and industry through gaming innovation, Dr. Borchert collaborates with students, faculty, and industry to drive economic and social impact through gaming and esports. With a background in the digital humanities, his own research focuses on how processes of death and dying in games transform how we think about death. He also serves as affiliate faculty in the Videogaming and Esports Studies (VES) Program.
Education
PhD Religion, Syracuse University
M.A. Religion, Syracuse University
B.A. Philosophy and Religion, Ithaca College
Courses Taught
- REL 230: Introduction to the Cultural Study of Videogaming
- REL104: Religion, Ritual, and the Arts
- REL 113: Supernatural Encounters
- REL109: Religion and Contemporary Culture
Research
Dr. Borchert interested in how religious practices and media technologies intersect across American religious histories, particularly their impact on embodiment and death. He teaches on gaming, American religion, death, Christianity, and religion and media technology.