Play, Politics, and Participation: Exploring Ambiguous Fannish Practices

Fan practices have moved beyond fan communities, shaping political, economic, and cultural life. Social media has blurred the lines between popular and political communication, allowing both progressive and reactionary fandoms to influence the public sphere. and the are hosting a symposium to explore these dynamics.

This event is free and is open to everyone, but places are limited.

Schedule

0930 – 1000 Coffees and welcome

1000 – 1015 Introductions, Ben Litherland, Bethan Jones and Simone Driessen

1015 – 1100 Panel 1 - Platforms and Politics

Briony Hannell, ‘The SJW and/as the killjoy: White il/liberal dis/identifications with the social justice warrior within Tumblr fan cultures’

Ben Litherland & Rachel Wood, ‘Platform participatory cultures in climate crisis: Reddit reception of NYC wildfire smoke’

1100 - 1110 Comfort break and handover

1110 - 1215 Panel 2 - Reactions, positions and polarizations

Anthony Kelly, ‘“Received this from a follower”: Ambivalent Fannish Positionalities and Reactionary Influencer Online Content’

Mark Johnson, ‘Ideological Tensions between Twitch and Kick: Political Polarisation in Live Streaming?’

Qian Huang, Fandom Nationalism: ‘Participatory Censorship and Performative Patriotis’

1215 – 1300 Lunch

1300 – 1400 Adrienne Massanari, ‘The Shadow Side of Play and Fandom’

1400 - 1415 Coffee break

1415 - 1530 Breakout, discussion, further research etc.

Host or Publisher Manchester Centre for Linguistics Research