Staley's research interests include digital history, the philosophy of history, historical methodology, and the history and future of higher education. He has published widely (in print and electronically) on the intersection of technology and higher education, and is the author of Brain, Mind and Internet: A Deep History and Future (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014), Computers, Visualization and History, 2nd ed. (Routledge, 2014) and History and Future: Using Historical Thinking to Imagine the Future (Lexington Books, 2007). Among his recent publications is  "The Future of the University: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education," which appeared in Educause Review. In addition to his written work, he has designed and curated both online and physical exhibitions and has published numerous visual compositions in digital media.