Christopher Helland is Professor of Sociology of Religion in the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology at Dalhousie University in Canada. He completed a PhD in Sociology of Religion from the University of Toronto in 2004. His research focuses upon religion in our contemporary society from a sociological perspective. Much of his earlier research focused upon UFO religious groups and apocalyptic movements. His current work explores the impact of digital activities on religious traditions and practices. This research examines the role of new media and computer activity in relation to issues of religious authority and power, religious information seeking behavior, ritual practices, and AI. One of his recent funded research projects is investigating the effects of 3DVR on ritual practices.