Gregory Grieve‘s career centers on the promotion of the “Engaged Humanities,” which connects research and teaching with programming that advances democracy, social justice, and the public good. He argues that the future of the Humanities depends on the organized implementation of project-based engaged teaching and research, as well as the continued advancement of digital and new media learning and scholarship. To become visible and relevant in contemporary society, higher education needs to address the changing nature of “the public” and utilize both traditional and emerging media to offer innovative types of scholarship, teaching, and engagement.
UNCG’s Department of Religious Studies Mission Statement calls for faculty members to “offer service to the College, University, Community and Profession.” Grieve serves the Religious Studies Department in day-to-day operations, chairing search committees, and as the department’s Head. He serves the College, through executive leadership, fostering the digital humanities, and by advancing interdisciplinary inquiry, community, and scholarship in the liberal arts. He serves the University both in day-to-day operations and also by advocating for the necessary inclusion of a liberal arts education in UNCG’s general education curriculum.
Grieve serves the profession by creating and organizing the field of digital religion, particularly the sub-field of religion and digital gaming. He has been influential in the field of religion and the study of critical media practices not only through his research and teaching but also through his various editorial roles for leading publications including as series editor for Routledge’s “Studies in Religion and Digital Culture” and De Grunter’s “Series on Digital Humanities and Religion.” He has leadership positions in both the “Video Gaming and Religion Seminar” and ““Religion, Media, and Culture” groups of the American Academy of Religion (AAR). He is also a founding member of the International Academy for the Study of Religion and Digital Games.