Virtual Campus Blog

The BGSU Second Life Staff is proud to announce the commencement of a series of blog posts that will highlight the work of different members of the BGSU Second Life Learning Community. On this occasion, the spotlight is on Dr. Montana Miller, who was featured in a Zoom News article about her work in Internet research ethics.

In addition to being a member of the Learning Community, Pedagogy and Scholarship in Second Life, Dr. Miller has also served on BGSU’s Human Subjects Review Board since 2006, and is chair of the Internet Culture area of the Popular Culture Association. Miller’s expertise lies in the emerging field of Internet research ethics, in which she herself is making great strides in promoting a better understanding of the context and ethical dilemmas such research entails. Internet research is growing among social scientists, which in turn creates an area of concern for institutional review boards (IRBs) at universities and funding agencies.

Miller recently spoke on a panel centered on Internet research at the Advancing Ethical Research Conference, addressing these issues. “It’s a huge honor to have this opportunity to educate IRB members around the country about the issues that are so new and confusing to many,” she said. “…The rules and guidelines are only just being written, and it’s a privilege to have a voice in that process.”

The Advancing Ethical Research Conference where Dr. Miller spoke is the annual meeting of the PRIM&R (Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research) organization, who, after Miller’s dedicated attendance for several years, have invited her to become a member of their faculty. She has also received other invitations to speak and present her research, such as her upcoming appearance at the AERA (American Educational Research Association) conference for their Online Teaching and Learning division, where she will be the keynote speaker.

Dr. Miller’s investigation of Second Life and other virtual worlds informs her research on Internet ethics.