This institute’s mission includes research, education, training, and outreach. Teams of faculty, staff, and students representing numerous existing and successful centers at Miami will tackle problems and research needs they identify and will respond to needs that address questions posed by state government officials and gaming industry leaders. Undergraduate and graduate students will be mentored by faculty to work on research questions and will experience educational programming that will train the next generation of leaders. Academic programs at Miami including gaming, neuroscience, sports leadership, and management already exist, and these could expand with the growth of this new center. Executive education and outreach programs will provide current leaders and managers with the tools needed to make data-informed economic and policy decisions.
A partnership among these three sectors can lead to comprehensive data collection and analysis. As a result, addiction problems can be more readily averted and replaced with innovative, research-based solutions.
In Ohio, there are currently no independent organizations or institutions of higher education that are comprehensively collecting and analyzing data on the gaming industry. Miami University is happy to serve as a resource to the General Assembly, as sports gaming and e-bingo legislation is developed for the State of Ohio.
Currently, many gaming-related problems across the country are a result of the field’s data silos — companies that keep their data in house. Sharing the data from each silo with an independent third party and taking away the identifying factors to protect each individual’s privacy, will allow that third party to detect patterns in addiction and problem gambling and create predictive modeling of gaming behaviors to assist Ohioans before a person reaches the point of despair.
Comprehensive data collection and analysis will lead to not only a better understanding and treatment of addiction, but also the prevention of criminal activity in the gaming industry.
The Institute will initially advance responsible gaming by addressing issues around addiction, policy, and the most pressing industry questions. We will provide objective and non-partisan research to policy makers and the gaming industry on strategies for responsible gaming engagement.
Miami regularly has over 3,000 undergraduate students and approximately 2,000 graduate students involved in research as part of their studies. Miami students conduct mentored research in all disciplines, including in underutilized fields such as addictive gaming behavior. Gaming and related research currently taking place at Miami focuses on examining what causes gaming addiction and the body’s correlating identifying markers.
The McMurray lab at Miami University has been studying how the brain processes risky decisions, with the hope of identifying novel therapeutic targets to reduce problem gambling. Our work in this field has already identified how early life experiences may shape an individual’s risk for gambling disorders, and my lab has even identified a potential therapeutic for individuals with gambling disorders.
Data Science refers to using data from a variety of sources to answer important questions. This includes, but is not limited to, designing methods for collecting appropriate and representative data, developing rules/models for predicting responses or actions, or grouping individuals with similar traits. Data management, statistical model building, evaluation, and more are part of the skills involved in this work.
Faculty research in areas of responsible gaming are at the core the institute. Learn more about our faculty and their areas of expertise.
Adam Beissel is an Assistant Professor of Sport Leadership & Management at Miami University (OH – USA).
Adam’s scholarship and teaching interrogates the geopolitical economy of global sport. His primary research interests include: the Economics of Sport Mega-Events; Global Politics of International Sport; Sport Stadiums and Urban Development; Social and Economic (in)justice in College Sport; Sports Labor Markets and Global Athletic Migration. In addition to publishing several book chapters on issues pertaining to the cultural politics of sport, Adam has been published in numerous academic journals, including Sociology of Sport Journal, Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Sport and Society.
Dr Matthew McMurray is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Miami University. His neuroscience laboratory studies the brain systems that control decision-making, how those systems become changed by problem gaming and drug addiction, and how drugs can be used to correct those changes. He has published numerous scientific articles on the biological and psychosocial factors that lead to risk-taking and drug abuse . Through an industry partnership with PsyBio Therapeutics, Inc, he is currently testing the potential of a novel class of drugs (tryptamines) to treat mental health disorders, including Gambling Disorder. Dr McMurray also coordinates outreach programs to K-12 students about healthy gaming and drug use.
Sharon Custer is the Director of Social Work Field Education at Miami University where she oversees internships for students and develops relationships throughout the community related to trauma, behavioral-health prevention and interventions, and supporting families across the lifespan. In addition to teaching courses, her research interests include practices to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint, trauma-responsive schools, family engagement, behavioral health prevention, and community partnerships. Most recently, her work includes taking an active role with the newly developed Ohio School Wellness Initiative designed to support Student Assistance Program and Staff Wellness practices across Ohio’s k-12 schools. Prior to coming to Miami, Dr. Custer’s practice experience included behavioral health service coordination, advocacy, early childhood education, prevention, and adoption.
Bob is the Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Statistics. He is interested in the application of probability theory attached to sports and games of all types. A board game fanatic, he and his wife have over 300 board games and card games in their collection. He has published articles in various different areas, including statistical process control, environmental statistics, and artificial intelligence. He is also interested in simulation and served as a consultant for many years with a sports simulation website.
Dr. Brody J. Ruihley is an Associate Professor of Sport Leadership & Management and Assistant Chair of the Department of Sport Leadership & Management. Ruihley’s educational background consists of a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Kentucky (2005), a master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville (2006), and a doctorate degree in Sport Studies from the University of Tennessee (2010). Ruihley’s primary research interests lie in the areas of fantasy sport, sport marketing, and public relations in sport.
Mark Tremblay is the G. Richard and Jane S. Thomas Endowed Assistant Professor of Economics in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Dr. Tremblay's research largely focuses on the digital economy and markets with both online and offline participants. His most recent work analyzes the effects of home-sharing and this was used to guide the City of Oxford's short-term rental policy.
Assistant professor of Sport Leadership and Management at Miami University of Ohio where he teaches sport administration, sport marketing and public relations. His research involves digital marketing and communication; particularly examining the motivation of sports fans, athletes, sport organizations’ digital media engagement. Dr. Li has previously co-edited the book Sport and the Pandemic: Perspectives on Covid19’s Impact on the Sport Industry, Sport Administration, and Administration and Governance in Global Sport Business. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed academic manuscripts.
Professor of Gerontology in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology and Director of the Ohio Long-Term Care Project at the Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He holds degrees from Ohio University (BA), the Ohio State University (MSW), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D.). He has been involved in the development and evaluation of long-term care programs across the United States for more than thirty years. He has worked with more than 25 states on innovations in long-term care service delivery.
Cricket Meehan is the Director of Miami University’s Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Her clinical and research interests revolve around working within local communities to conduct needs assessments, develop/identify programs based on recognized needs, conduct program evaluations, secure resources and funding for mental health organizations, train in-the-field mental health practitioners in the latest empirically supported treatment protocols, provide advocacy for mental health interests within the public policy and legislation sectors, and bridge the gap between the pragmatic treatment world and academic research world in psychology.
Peter Nencka received his Ph.D. in Economics from The Ohio State University in 2020 and is currently an Assistant Professor of Economics in the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. He is an applied microeconomist with research interests in labor and public economics, with applications to education, taxes, innovation, and economic history. Recent work studies how local and national policies affect the skills needed to enter and succeed in college and foster innovation. He enjoys teaching econometrics, statistics, and microeconomics.
Dr. Glenn Platt is the C. Michael Armstrong Professor of Network Technology & Management in the Department of Emerging Technology in Business + Design (ETBD) and the Director of the Armstrong Institute. The founder of the first interactive media program in the United States and former chair of ETBD, his research focuses on gamification and applications in business. Glenn also founded the Miami University Esports team and he is currently the Secretary of the Voice of Intercollegiate Esports and is President Emeritus of the International Digital Media and Arts Association.
Jody is a highly regarded gambling addiction expert working extensively across the globe with individuals, organizations, and associations. She is the CEO of The Better Institute, a group practice located in Pittsburgh. She is the co-author of The Gambling Disorder Treatment Handbook: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and 2 chapters in the Social Work Desk Reference v 4 on Gambling and Gaming Disorders, published in 2021. She serves on the Executive Committee for the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB). Jody holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work and has certifications as a Board-Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC) and Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor Level II (ICGC-II) with the IGCCB. When Jody isn’t working, you can find her providing pet therapy with her dog, Hanna, and supporting her husband’s business, Pittsburgh Guitars. Please email jody@betterinstitute.com or visit www.BetterInstitute.com to contact Jody Bechtold, LCSW, ICGC-II, PC.
Former Senator Bill Coley currently serves as the Executive Director of FairP2P. FairP2P.org is a not-for-profit membership-based organization establishing a regulatory structure for the competitive P2P skill-based gameplay sector. Former Senator Coley fulfilled his term limits for 16 consecutive years in the Ohio General Assembly, including ten years as a Committee Chairman. Senator Coley’s experience in handling gaming issues led to his election as president of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS). His expertise coupled with his innovative legislative efforts, has resulted in numerous speaking engagements throughout the nation, and internationally, on legislative issues including elections operations, payment systems, pharmacy benefit management, educational distance learning, sports betting and gaming policy. Together with President Greg Crawford of Miami University, Coley helped create the Work+ Program. He currently also works as a commercial litigation attorney, is AV Preeminent rated, (the highest rating) and is licensed to practice law in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Coley received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Dayton and his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. An instrument rated pilot, he and his wife Carolyn live in Liberty Township. They love animals and have two Old English Sheep dogs (Wilby and Elwood) plus a cat (Tillie).
Austin Smith is an Associate Professor of Economics at Bates College, a former Associate Professor at Miami University, and a research affiliate with the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) - an international research network based in Bonn, Germany. Smith is an empirical microeconomist who studies labor markets, the impact of risky behavior on college and career outcomes, and incentives in online gambling. His research has led to testimony before the Ohio Senate and has been covered by outlets including The Atlantic, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and The Wall Street Journal.
Randi Malcolm Thomas, Esq. is the inaugural Vice President of ASPIRE and a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet at Miami University. Randi and his team aim to position Miami University to be recognized as being “open for business” and seeking partners who share the university’s values of innovation, creativity, and inclusion. He manages the university’s government relations, economic initiatives, and community engagement efforts. Randi is the architect of multiple university initiatives including the Institute for Responsible Gaming, Lotteries, and Sport. Prior to his appointment to lead ASPIRE, he served as Miami’s Director of Institutional Relations for 21 years. He earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1993.
Randi Malcolm Thomas, Esq.
Vice President of ASPIRE
