His research focuses on the uses of participatory and digital media forms for social and political advocacy as well as for the construction of collective identities. Dr. Penney has published essays in journals such as Communication, Culture, and Critique and Popular Music and Society, and has contributed chapters to the books Joystick Soldiers: The Politics of Play in Military Video Games and Queer Identities/Political Realities. He is currently working on a book project based on his dissertation that explores how citizens participate in political marketing campaigns in the digital age.