Russ's research agenda focuses mainly on spirituality in education, his research has been published in the journal Religion & Education and he has presented his research at a variety of academic venues including an upcoming presentation at the 5th Oxford Education and Research Symposium. Russ has enjoyed comics and art since his childhood, his preferred medium is pencils but he dabbles in other media including inks, charcoal, pastels, acrylics, watercolor, and oils.