He has an interdisciplinary academic background, combining a B.A. and M.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Virginia with a Ph.D. in French Civilization from Pennsylvania State University. His primary research field is twentieth-century social, political, and cultural history through film (fiction and documentary), with a focus on the 1930s and 40s. Professor Bowles is an associate editor of The Historical Journal of Film, Radio, and Television, as well as an editorial board member for French History and French Historical Studies. He also works with International Historic Films in Chicago as an academic advisor and producer of DVDs related to France during the Second World War.