Michael Toy

PhD Candidate in Religious Studies

Supervisors: Associate Professor Geoff Troughton and Dr Philip Fountain

Everyday Ethics and Theologies of the Digital: Christianity and the Politics of Digitality in Aotearoa

The ubiquity of digital technologies in the 21st century shapes in part almost every facet of human life, “rewiring” relationships, communities, and even neurological processes. Whether through social media, the internet of things, or the material infrastructure beneath the surface, it has become increasingly difficult—if not impossible—to participate in society without some digital connection. This research project explores this complex media environment by tracing the ways religion and digitality are interwoven in everyday life across Aotearoa - New Zealand Christianity. My field research among minority Christian groups will connect everyday, lived religious experience with media theory and theology.

Michael originally hails from Texas, though now he and his Kiwi partner, Nadine, call Wellington home. He majored in Media Studies and minored in Computer Science at Wheaton College in Illinois and received an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. When away from his desk, he can be found  training for his next running road race or searching for the best noodles in Wellington.