Fan Studies Research Articles

Fan pilgrimage and Thai genre films: play, space and the search for vernacular cultural sites

ABSTRACT This paper extends the notion of film tourism in the context of Thailand from the focus on destination marketing to affective connections between film locations and fans. Combining frameworks from fan studies particularly the notion of pilgrimage, and a conceptual way of linking play with space in game and architectural studies, the paper examines playful practices at film locations and associated spaces mediated by digital photography, video and online story-telling associated with the Thai genre films called nang rak, which emerged in the early 2000s–2010s. The examination of play practices highlights the imaginative, performative and mediated plays by film fans, which created play movements in space or ‘kinesis’ at the film locations making them become cultural playgrounds for identity negotiations and the sites for expressing desires for affective cities. The paper also invites further consideration on fan pilgrimage in relation to changes with political climate, tourism development and vernacular cultural sites.

Bring yourself back online, Old Bill: Westworld’s media histories, or six degrees of separation from Shakespeare

This article explores the polysemous intertextuality of Westworld, an example of ‘complex television’, and focuses particularly on its Shakespearean coordinates. In this futuristic show about sentient androids who quote Shakespeare is a deep web of connections to other Shakespeare adaptations in film, digital cultures, and popular music. Through the perspectives of fan studies and media studies, the article argues that what unfolds out of the show’s discourses and those of its fans, who engage with it through digital platforms and technologies, is a micro media history of Shakespeare. In turn, the show advances an understanding of Shakespeare as posthuman.

Muslim Girlhood, Skam Fandom, and DIY Citizenship

While fandom is a dominant girlhood trope, few accounts examine faith in the context of girls’ fandom. Addressing this gap, using a feminist poststructural analysis, I draw on interviews and participant observation to locate fan communities as a space in which Muslim girls can enact citizenship. Combining youth cultural studies, girlhood studies, and fan studies, I explore how Muslim fangirls of the Norwegian teen web-dramaSkam(2015–2017) draw on their desire for recognition and their creativity as cultural producers to engage in participatory storytelling that challenges popular representations of Muslim girls. This process enables the production of communities rooted in shared interests, experiences, and identities. I suggest that fandom should be recognized for its capacity to generate new meanings of citizenship for minority youth.

Disruptive gratitude: Challenging relationships between fangirls and curriculum theory

By pulling from the complex field of fan studies, I hope to show how fan studies, particularly fangirls and their practices, can inform the field of curriculum theory. In this article, through an autobiographical sharing of moments, I consider how fangirl practices have shaped the way I regard scholars, conferences, and relationships. I then introduce a notion of “disruptive gratitude” into understandings of both fandom and curriculum theorizing and discuss how that concept might be used as a way to interrupt those fan(girl) practices that silence, erase, and oppress. Then, I consider three moments of disruptive gratitude that demonstrate my fangirling and reflect on how those moments have shaped my interactions with the community (and a fandom) in scholarship, spaces, and structures. I conclude by theorizing how the notion of disruptive gratitude enacted through fangirl practices serves as a possible way to undertake the necessary work of curriculum theory in order to challenge the structures of the field that standardize education, demoralize the profession, and ignore inequities.

Consumer movements, brand activism, and the participatory politics of media: A conversation

This is a scripted adaptation of a conversational podcast interview between Henry Jenkins and Robert Kozinets about contemporary consumer activism and its relationship to media studies. After the interview, the conversants agreed to develop the transcript of the conversation in order to be more relevant to a scholarly audience who are interested in how Jenkins’ ideas apply to the understanding and investigation of consumer culture today. The conversation frames and synthesizes a range of thinking around activism, fan studies, brand management, and consumer culture theory. Couched in the American context but containing themes that may also relate to global culture in the current moment, it covers the theoretical as well as the pragmatic concerns of many of the stakeholders in the world of contemporary consumer activism, from the activists themselves to the brand managers who respond to their actions to the creators who write the stories that inspire them both. Topics include the relevance of participatory culture today, anti-racism and the role of media, consumer conflicts with brands and the corporations who police them, the importance of civic imagination to civic engagement, differences between brand managers and story creators, consumer activism in the workplace, activist and participatory approaches to civic research, the nature of contemporary consumer activist movements, the impact of intersectionality, and the prefigurative possibilities for change today.

The Role of Culture on Fan Perceptions of CSR Initiatives: A Cross-Cultural Study of NBA Fans across Three Countries

Professional sports teams have established a major presence around the world and support a number of corporate social responsibility programs (CSR). While many factors may influence fans’ expectations and preferences pertaining to CSR-related activities, to date, no systematic attempt has been made to determine whether fans’ perceptions vary according to their cultural orientations. Thus, we conducted research to investigate similarities and differences in fans’ perceptions of CSR-related activities (i.e., the six pillars of CSR in professional sports organizations) across three countries, using Hofstede’s individualism‒collectivism dimension. A significant difference was found between fans from the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and India pertaining to perceived philanthropy and environmental management and sustainability. These findings have important implications for professional sports organizations that operate in a diverse global market, indicating they should pay attention to cultural congruence between CSR strategies and fans’ cultural backgrounds to enhance the overall effect of such initiatives.

Fan translation in the Vietnamese context: a preliminary study

ABSTRACT This preliminary study asks what genres and languages are translated by fans in the Vietnamese context, using a methodology based on distant reading of materials available on the Youtube website. While there is a growing body of work on fandom and fan translation, little focuses on postcolonial locations such as Vietnam. Due to its history of colonisation and the shifts in language use that have resulted from colonisation and independence, there is a long history of voluntary translation in Vietnam that has contributed to the development of a thriving fan translation culture in the Vietnamese language. After examining the postcolonial position of Vietnam and the history of voluntary translation in the country, this article examines the first hundred videos found on Youtube using the search term “Vietsub”. Youtube was chosen for its popularity and international reach, as well as the abundance of Vietnamese subtitled videos on the website. The findings show that many of the videos come from Asian countries such as Korean and China, questioning the hegemony of Anglophone text production seen in fan studies. Furthermore, the main genres for translation on Youtube are TV shows and songs, highlighting fan investment in popular media.

Finding the self through others: exploring fandom, identification, and self-concept clarity among U.S. adolescents

ABSTRACT The primary developmental task of adolescence (12–18 years old) is identity development. During this time, adolescents individuate from their parents and may instead use media models for social guidance. Previous research has analyzed the impact of media figures on adolescents’ socialization but few have explored the influence of non-fiction media figures on their self-concept. As such, the present study examined of the role of fanship and identification on adolescent self-concept clarity. From a survey of 251 adolescents (ages 13–18), results showed that adolescents’ fanship intensity was negatively associated with their self-concept clarity. Further, identification did not moderate this association, but identification demonstrated a negative association with self-concept clarity. IMPACT SUMMARY a. Prior State of Knowledge: Previous research shows that media fandom may impact peoples’ ideological beliefs and behaviors (e.g., gender roles, prosocial behavior, overcoming adversity). Moreover, research finds that fandom engagement may benefit marginalized communities. b. Novel Contributions: The current project contributes to the media entertainment and fan studies literatures with a novel exploration of fandom and fan identification in relation to adolescents’ self-concept clarity. Specifically, fanship intensity and identification were negatively associated with self-concept clarity. c. Practical Implications: Parents should be aware of their child’s fanship intensity surrounding their favorite non-fiction media figure because such engagement may negatively influence their self-concept, which might contribute to difficulties in establishing a cohesive identity.

Modeling and Classification of Alluvial Fans with DEMs and Machine Learning Methods: A Case Study of Slovenian Torrential Fans

Alluvial (torrential) fans, especially those created from debris-flow activity, often endanger built environments and human life. It is well known that these kinds of territories where human activities are favored are characterized by increasing instability and related hydrological risk; therefore, treating the problem of its assessment and management is becoming strongly relevant. The aim of this study was to analyze and model the geomorphological aspects and the physical processes of alluvial fans in relation to the environmental characteristics of the territory for classification and prediction purposes. The main geomorphometric parameters capable of describing complex properties, such as relative fan position depending on the neighborhood, which can affect their formation or shape, or properties delineating specific parts of fans, were identified and evaluated through digital elevation model (DEM) data. Five machine learning (ML) methods, including a hybrid Euler graph ML method, were compared to analyze the geomorphometric parameters and physical characteristics of alluvial fans. The results obtained in 14 case studies of Slovenian torrential fans, validated with data of the empirical model proposed by Bertrand et al. (2013), confirm the validity of the developed method and the possibility to identify alluvial fans that can be considered as debris-flow prone.

Lithofacies characteristics and sedimentary model of a gravelly braided river-dominated fan: a case study of modern Poplar River alluvial fan (northwest Junggar Basin, China)

Conglomerate reservoirs in alluvial fans commonly contain economic crude oil, but it is challenging to depict the distribution of conglomerate reservoirs or to summarise the sedimentary model in alluvial fans deposits owing to their complex lithofacies changes and variable hydrodynamic conditions. This paper focuses on the Poplar River alluvial fan in the northwest Junggar Basin, China, as a special case to analyse its sedimentary processes and to build a sedimentary model through detailed outcrop mapping and grainsize analysis. The Poplar River alluvial fan is a braided river-dominated fan with the characteristics of a large fan size (approximate 327.6 km2), gentle slope (∼<0.04–0.07°), coarse sediments (mainly cobbles or finer pebbles) and rare fine-mud sediments deposited from floods. In this alluvial fan, 15 lithofacies are identified that mainly formed in five hydrodynamic environments: (i) debris-flow deposits; (ii) high-flow traction current deposits; (iii) low-flow traction current deposits; (iv) still-water deposits; and (v) eolian deposits. Moreover, the sedimentary processes on the Poplar River alluvial fan can be divided into flood and interflood periods. During flood periods, sediment deposition plays a major role on the alluvial fan. From the proximal to distal parts, six lithofacies associations can be identified: feeder-channel and sheet-flow deposits in the proximal part, sheet flood and braided-stream deposits in the intermediate part, and channel deposits and wetland deposits in the distal fan areas. During the interflood periods, sediment reworking is the most important function, and three lithofacies associations are identified: main-channel deposits in the proximal fan, braided-trench deposits in the intermediate fan and wetland deposits in the distal area. The braided-stream deposits, braided-trench deposits and sheet-flood deposits have the best potential for high-quality aquifers or oil reservoirs based on their moderately well-sorted grains and high primary permeable intervals. KEY POINTS Fifteen lithofacies and eight lithofacies associations are identified in the Poplar River braided river-dominated alluvial fan. The aggradation process of the studied alluvial fan can be divided into flood and interflood periods. The flood-period braided-fluvial deposits, interflood main-channel and braided-trench channel deposits are the facies with best reservoir potential.

Mechanisms for avulsion on alluvial fans: Insights from high‐frequency topographic data

AbstractAvulsion is a key process in building alluvial fans, but it is also a formidable natural hazard. Based on laboratory experiments monitored with novel high‐frequency photogrammetry, we present a new model for avulsion on widely graded gravel fans. Previous experimental studies of alluvial fans have suggested that avulsion occurs in a periodic autogenic cycle, that is thought to be mediated by the gradient of the fan and fan‐channel. However, those studies measured gradients at low spatial or temporal resolutions, which capture temporally or spatially averaged topographic evolution. Here, we present high‐resolution (1 mm), high‐frequency (1‐minute) topographic data and orthophotos from an alluvial fan experiment. Avulsions in the experiment were rapid and, in contrast to some previous experimental studies, avulsion occurrence was aperiodic. Moreover, we found little evidence of the back‐filling observed at coarser temporal and spatial resolutions. Our observations suggest that avulsion is disproportionately affected by sediment accumulation in the channel, particularly around larger, less mobile grains. Such in‐channel deposition can cause channel shifting that interrupts the autogenic avulsion cycle, so that avulsions are aperiodic and their timing is more difficult to predict.

A mixed-methods pilot study of handheld fan for breathlessness in interstitial lung disease

Dyspnoea is a cardinal symptom of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD), with a lack of proven effective therapies. With emerging evidence of the role of facial and nasal airflow for relieving breathlessness, this pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility of conducting a clinical trial of a handheld fan (HHF) for dyspnoea management in patients with fibrotic ILD. In this mixed-methods, randomised, assessor-blinded, controlled trial, 30 participants with fibrotic ILD who were dyspnoeic with a modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea grade ≥ 2 were randomised to a HHF for symptom control or no intervention for 2 weeks. Primary outcomes were trial feasibility, change in Dyspnoea-12 scores at Week 2, and participants’ perspectives on using a HHF for dyspnoea management. Study recruitment was completed within nine months at a single site. Successful assessor blinding was achieved in the fan group [Bang’s Blinding Index − 0.08 (95% CI − 0.45, 0.30)] but not the control group [0.47 (0.12, 0.81)]. There were no significant between-group differences for the change in Dyspnoea-12 or secondary efficacy outcomes. During qualitative interviews, participants reported that using the HHF relieved breathlessness and provided relaxation, despite initial scepticism about its therapeutic benefit. Oxygen-experienced participants described the HHF being easier to use, but not as effective for symptomatic relief, compared to oxygen therapy. Our results confirmed the feasibility of a clinical trial of a HHF in fibrotic ILD. There was a high level of patient acceptance of a HHF for managing dyspnoea, with patients reporting both symptomatic benefits and ease of use.

Affirmational canons and transformative literature: Notes on teaching with fandom

Instructors who use fan studies in the classroom are likely to make use of transformative works and theories. The remix classroom offers a way to read against popular interpretations of mainstream texts. In the process, teaching with fandom—not to mention fandom itself—is often presented specifically as a salve to prescriptive readings of texts. Yet fan practices are often imagined by mainstream culture as being uniquely affirmational—a particularly enthusiastic form of close reading that emphasizes and rewards deference to an authorial voice. In this sense, the way media and popular culture understand fandom is as an extension of how students are often taught to read texts: via a formalistic, New Critical approach that centers authoritative criticism. Students who interact with fan texts but do not see themselves as fans feel this way, just as students often fail to recognize themselves as critical readers because expertise has been made into a form of gatekeeping.

Chinese celebrity fans during the Covid-19 pandemic

Connected learning is a valuable tool that may be used in China to mitigate the stigma of fan activities, as a case study of Chinese celebrity fans' activities during the coronavirus outbreak in China illustrates.

Transcultural fan studies in practice: A conversation

At the end of 2018, a group of fan scholars led by Lori Morimoto journeyed to Japan for a fan studies field trip. The purpose was multifaceted: to speak at a symposium on transcultural popular culture; to bring together fans and fandom studies from both sides of the Pacific; and to augment their classrooms with practical experience. Eight participants share their experiences and reflect on what it means to be a transcultural fan scholar at the dawning of the 2020s.

Alternative pedagogies at Fan Studies Network North America 2020

Overview of Multimedia section in TWC No. 35, "Fan Studies Pedagogies" (March 2021).

Evaluating fandom: Using blogging and a grade contract to promote fan labor in the classroom

Grade contracts offer a way to transform the relationship between labor and assessment in classrooms. By turning attention from evaluations of quality to labor completed, grade contracts make space for students to shift from a grade-driven extrinsic motivation to an interest-driven intrinsic motivation for completing coursework. Such an assessment model is well suited for fan studies classes where instructors ask students to engage in fan behavior. I share how I built an upper-division course about anime and anime fandom centered around a student-authored, publicly viewable blog. I discuss the synergy between the blogging project and a grade contract that enhanced student learning, engagement, and enjoyment. I also share my course design philosophy, approach to blogging, and student reactions to the grade contract.

Fan studies pedagogies

Editorial to "Fan Studies Pedagogies," edited by Paul Booth and Regina Yung Lee, special issue, Transformative Works and Cultures, no. 35 (March 15, 2021).

A brief review of fan studies in Brazil

Analysis of the current state of the field of fan studies in Brazil, recognizing the importance of acknowledging social, political, economic, and historical factors when studying fandoms.

Institutional collection profiles

Performing research in fan studies, or any other discipline, is difficult if not impossible without access to documentary collections of primary historical documents, including manuscript material, fannish creations such as fanzines, fanvids and filksongs, correspondence, and ephemera. There are a number of institutions across the world that hold these sorts of collections, and here we provide information about a selected few of those open to scholarly research.