Fan Studies Network

The Fan Studies Network, also known as FSN, is a network of fan studies scholars and acafans from around the world. It was founded in 2012 by Lucy Bennett and Tom Phillips, and holds regular conferences for scholars around the world to come together, make connections and present their research.
In 2017, the network celebrated its fifth anniversary, with the fifth annual Fan Studies Network Conference taking place at the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom.
The Fan Studies Network website describes the network as follows:
Formed in March 2012, the Fan Studies Network was created with the idea of cultivating a friendly space in which scholars of fandom could easily forge connections with other academics in the field, and discuss the latest topics within fan studies. Having attracted close to 300 members, the network is already fostering a sense of community and engendering fruitful debate.The Fan Studies Network: About Us, Fan Studies Network. Published April 27, 2013. Accessed 30 June 2017.
The Fan Studies Network has a mailing list to which scholars can subscribe and receive updates about upcoming conferences, news and Calls For Papers in the fan studies community. There is also a Facebook group, and a Twitter account for the network.
==Fan Studies Network Conferences==
The Fan Studies Network has held annual conferences in the United Kingdom since 2013, when the first Fan Studies Network Symposium was held at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich. The UEA has been the hosting institution for half of the Fan Studies Network conferences to date (in 2013, 2015 and 2016) with the other three conferences being held at different institutions around the UK. In 2017, celebrating its 5th anniversary, the Conference was held at the University of Huddersfield, where noted fan studies scholar Matt Hills had joined the faculty as Professor of Media and Journalism and co-director of the Centre for Participatory Culture the previous July.Academic Staff Profile, Professor Matt Hills, University of Huddersfield. Accessed 02 July, 2017.
2017 also saw the launch of the first Fan Studies Network Australasia conference, held at the University of Wollongong, Australia and hosted by the Research Centre for Culture Texts and Creative Industries (CTC).CFP: Fan Studies Network Australasia 2017, Fan Studies Network. Posted 16 December 2016. Accessed 01 July, 2017. In 2018, Fan Studies Network held its first ever conference in North America, taking place on 25–27 October in DePaul University, Chicago.CFP: Fan Studies Network North America, FSN North America Conference 2018. Accessed 09 December, 2017.
===Fan Studies Network Symposium 2013===
Date: 30 November 2013
Hosting institution: University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Matt Hills, Aberystwyth University, Wales, United Kingdom
The inaugural Fan Studies Network Conference (then called the Fan Studies Network Symposium) was held over one day at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was preceded by a social get-together on the evening of Friday 29 November. The keynote by Professor Matt Hills was titled 'Location, location, location: Info-war and citizen-fan “set reporting” within public spheres of the imagination'. The conference included panels on 'Spaces and Performance', 'Gender', 'Classic Fandoms, New Narratives' and 'Textualities'.Fan Studies Network Symposium 2013, Fan Studies Network. Accessed 01 July, 2017.
After the conference, Fan Studies Network uploaded a video summarising the event, which was created by SeaMe.tv.FSN Symposium 2013 Video, fanstudies.org. Published 09 December, 2013 (Accessed 08 July, 2018). (Archived version)
===Fan Studies Network Conference 2014===
Dates: 27–28 September 2014
Hosting institution: Regent's University, London, United Kingdom
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Paul Booth, DePaul University, Chicago, USA; Dr. Rhiannon Bury, Athabasca University, Canada's Open University; Orlando Jones, film and television actor
The second annual Fan Studies Network Conference was the first to be held over two days, in the last weekend of September, 2014. It was hosted by Regent's University, London and featured keynote speeches from Dr. Paul Booth ('Fandom: The Classroom of the Future'), Dr. Rhiannon Bury ('The End of Fandom as We Know it? Reflections on Technology and Participatory Culture at the Cusp of the Third Media Age') and actor Orlando Jones, who spoke via video link.
Conference panels covered topics such as 'Fandom and Identity', 'Online Fandom', 'Histories and Generations' and 'Transformative Works'.FSN 2014 Final Full Programme (PDF), Fan Studies Network. Accessed 01 July, 2017.
===Fan Studies Network Conference 2015===
Dates: 27–28 June 2015
Hosting institution: University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
Keynote Speakers: Lincoln Geraghty, University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom and Suzanne Scott, The University of Texas, Austin, USA
The third annual Fan Studies Network Conference returned to the University of East Anglia in Norwich for another two-day programme. It was preceded by a pre-conference social on the evening of Friday 26 June.
Suzanne Scott opened the first day of the conference with a keynote speech on 'Check Your Fannish Privilege: (In)Visibility Politics and Fan Culture’s War on Women', and Lincoln Geraghty opened the conference's second day with a keynote speech entitled 'Passing Through: Identity, History and the Importance of Pilgrimage in Fan Studies'. The conference included panels on 'Fan Works', 'Social Issues and Morality', 'Fandom and Celebrity' and 'Methodologies'. The conference also featured a workshop on ethics in fan studies research, with panellists Kristina Busse, Ruth Deller, Katherine Larsen and Natasha Whiteman.Final FSN 2015 Programme (PDF), Fan Studies Network. Accessed 01 July, 2017.
===Fan Studies Network Conference 2016===
Dates: 25–26 June 2016
Hosting institution: University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Henry Jenkins, University of Southern California, USA
The fourth annual Fan Studies Network Conference was held at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. It was preceded by a pre-conference social and pub quiz on fan studies on the evening of Friday 24 June.
Celebrated fan studies scholar Professor Henry Jenkins gave the keynote address, entitled 'How Fandom Helps Us to Negotiate the Politics of Diversity and Fosters the Civic Imagination'. The conference included panels on 'Participatory Memory in the Fandoms of Sherlock Holmes and Lord of the Rings', 'Race and Culture', 'Theorising Fanfic' and 'Politics and Activism'. The second day of the conference also featured a workshop on fan studies methodologies, with panellists Lincoln Geraghty, Anne Jamison, Lies Lanckman and Simon Turner.FSN 2016 Draft Programme v2 (PDF), Fan Studies Network. Accessed 01 July, 2017.
===Fan Studies Network Conference 2017===
Dates: 24–25 June 2017
Hosting institution: University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Louisa Stein, Middlebury College, USA
Plenary Address: Prof. Matt Hills, University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom
The Fan Studies Network celebrated its fifth anniversary, and held its fifth annual conference, at the University of Huddersfield. The conference was preceded by a roundtable discussion and launch event for the University of Huddersfield Centre for Participatory Culture, followed by a Friday Night Social, on the evening of Friday 23 June.
Dr. Louisa Stein opened the first day of the conference with a keynote address entitled 'Fandom/Resistance', while Professor Matt Hills closed the conference with a plenary speech entitled 'Reviewing the recent 'common sense' of fan studies (2012-2017), or, should we be celebrating a "future based fundamentally on fandom"?' A fan studies pub quiz also took place at the end of the first day in honour of Fan Studies Network's fifth anniversary.
Conference panels covered topics such as 'Rethinking Fan Studies', 'Mainstreaming Fandom', 'New Perspectives on Fandom and Neoliberalism', 'Memory and Long-Term Fandom' and 'Identity Politics'.FSN 2017 Final Draft Programme (PDF), Fan Studies Network. Accessed 01 July, 2017.
After the conference, the European Network for Cinema and Media Studies (NECS) made an audio recording of Louisa Stein's Fandom/Resistance keynote available for download on its website.
===Fan Studies Network Australasia 2017===
Dates: 30 November - 1 December 2017
Hosting institution: University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Matt Hills, University of Huddersfield
In 2017, the Fan Studies Network officially launched its first conference aimed at fan studies scholars in Australasia. The conference was organised by Dr. Bertha Chin (Swinburne University, Malaysia), Dr. Renee Middlemost (University of Wollongong, Australia), Prof. Sue Turnbull (University of Wollongong, Australia) and Dr. Ika Willis (University of Wollongong, Australia). The Call For Papers for the conference stated that:
As research and interest on fandom grow in Australia, New Zealand and Asia at large, the Fan Studies Network is also interested in fostering these connections and resources. We are delighted to announce that FSN Australasia, with support from FSN in the UK, will hold an inaugural conference for scholars based in the region.
Conference panels covered topics such as 'Fandom and Feminism', 'Technology and Gaming' and 'Acceptable Fandom'.Fan Studies Network Australasia Conference 2017 Program (PDF), Fan Studies Network. Accessed 10 December 2017.
===Fan Studies Network Conference 2018===
Dates: 29–30 June 2018
Hosting institution: Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Keynote Speakers: Dr. Mark Duffett, University of Chester, United Kingdom and C. Lee Harrington, Miami University, USA
The sixth annual Fan Studies Network Conference was held at Cardiff University, Wales. It was preceded by a pre-conference social on the evening of Thursday 28 June.
Dr. Mark Duffett opened the first day of the conference with a keynote address entitled 'Things That Go Punk in the Night', which brought together themes of punk music, music fandom and the supernatural. The conference included panels on 'Fan Studies Methodologies', 'Celebrity, Stardom & Fandom', 'Fashion & Material Culture' and 'Anti-Fandom, Dislike & Fantagonism'.
C. Lee Harrington gave the closing keynote on the second day of the conference, on the topic of Mortality and Fandom, incorporating themes of ageing, fan identity in life and in death, and fannish funeral practices.
The first formal showing of fanvids took place. The playlist for this and subsequent vids shows is here.
===Fan Studies Network North America 2018===
Dates: 25–27 October 2018
Hosting institution: DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Keynote Speaker: Abigail De Kosnik, UC Berkeley Center for New Media and Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies
Website: https://fsn-northamerica.org/
In 2018, the Fan Studies Network expanded its scope further to include a dedicated conference for fan studies scholars in North America. The conference was organized by Paul Booth (DePaul University, USA), Kristina Busse (Independent scholar), Lori Morimoto (Independent scholar), Louisa Stein (Middlebury College, USA), and Lesley Willard (University of Texas at Austin, USA).
The Call For Papers for the conference invited researchers to submit proposals on "all topics and themes related to media, sports, music, and celebrity fandoms, discussions of affirmative and/or transformative fans and their contributions, as well as meta-questions such as ethics and methodology. We encourage submissions on gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, and other aspects of power and identity in fan works and fan communities."
===Fan Studies Network Conference 2019===
Dates: 28–29 June 2019
Hosting institution: University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Keynote Speaker: Lori Morimoto, Independent Scholar
The seventh annual Fan Studies Network Conference will be held at the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Originally the conference was slated to have two keynote speakers: Lori Morimoto and Nicolle Lamerichs. However, in response to a debate on the structural whiteness of fan studies that unfolded in early February, the Fan Studies Network board made the decision to replace the second keynote with a roundtable discussion on representation and diversity. For more detail, see Fan Studies Network Statement on FSN2019 and the Whiteness of Fan Studies.
The Call For Papers for the conference invites researchers to submit proposals on "any aspect of fandom or fan studies", including (but not limited to) topics such as:
* The business of fandom (entrepreneurs, affective economics)
* Fandom, copyright and the law
* Fan activism in response to contemporary political/world events
* Fandom and material cultures
* Fandom and controversies
* Sports fandomCALL FOR PAPERS: Fan Studies Network Conference 2019, Fan Studies Network. Published February 1, 2019 (Accessed February 14, 2019).
==Use of Twitter at FSN Conferences==
Delegates at Fan Studies Network Conferences have always been encouraged to tweet about the conferences' various panels and presentations using a set conference hashtag, such as #FSN2013 or #FSN2017.
As Fan Studies Network Conferences grew more international, separate hashtags were used to denote the different conferences: #FSNA20XX for Fan Studies Network Australasia, and #FSNNA20XX for Fan Studies Network North America. Separate Twitter accounts were also set up for each conference: @FSNAusAsia for Fan Studies Network Australasia, and @FSNNorthAmerica for Fan Studies Network North America. The main Fan Studies Network Twitter account is @FanStudies.
===2017===
In 2017, the volume of tweets about the conference was such that one Twitter user, @elmyra, suggested that delegates use separate panel hashtags as a way of helping to order the conversation.Tweet by @elmyra, Twitter. Posted 24 June 2017 (Accessed 01 July, 2017). The conference organisers responded by implementing the use of panel hashtags (along with the main conference hashtag for tracking purposes) the following day.Tweet by @fanstudies, Twitter. Posted 25 June 2017 (Accessed 01 July, 2017).
After the close of the Fan Studies Network Conference 2017, the official Fan Studies Network Twitter account (@FanStudies) posted some "very rough analytical data" of the use of Twitter during the conference, which indicated that 7,071 tweets were posted using the #FSN2017 hashtag, resulting in 1,051,038 potential daily impressions.Tweet by @fanstudies, Twitter. Posted 27 June 2017 (Accessed 01 July, 2017).
===2018===
In 2018, Dr. Julia Largent scraped data from nearly 1,500 tweets which used the #FSN2018 hashtag and made the data available in an Excel file for analysis.Tweet by @JuliaLargent, Twitter. Posted 01 July, 2018 (Accessed 08 July, 2018). Another Network member, Nicole Ferdinand, used the data to create some charts and graphics about the use of Twitter during the conference, revealing the top 10 most prolific Twitter users,Tweet by @evntmgt, Twitter. Posted 02 July, 2018 (Accessed 08 July, 2018). the top 10 most-mentioned Twitter users,Tweet by @evntmgt, Twitter. Posted 02 July, 2018 (Accessed 08 July, 2018). and the words which were tweeted most often.Tweet by @evntmgt, Twitter. Posted 02 July 2018 (Accessed 08 July, 2018).
Throughout the conference, Dr. Lori Morimoto also collected together the various tweets about each panel, along with the two conference keynotes, using Wakelet.Lori Morimoto on Wakelet. Accessed 08 July, 2018.
==Blogs & Further Reading==
===Blog Posts===
* Get Your TARDIS! Fan Studies Network Conference 2014 by Nicolle Lamerichs (Archived version)
* FSN2014 recap by Lori Morimoto
* Fan Studies Network conference 2014 by Ruth Deller (Archived version)
* A (very) belated report on #FSN2016 by Ludi Price (Archived version)
* Quick Reflections on FSN 2015 by Jamie Chadd (Archived version)
* #FSN2018 – The 6th Annual Fan Studies Conference by Jessica Crosby (Archived version)
* Fan Studies Network 2018 by Meredith Dabek (Archived version)
===Conference Papers, Slides and Synopses===
* Fandom and genre: Comic distance and emotional attachment in Parks and Recreation fandom: paper presented by Inger-Lise Kalviknes Bore at Fan Studies Network Conference 2015 and published to On/Off Screen. (Archived version)
* Fanfiction in the Library: synopsis of a paper presented by Ludi Price and Lyn Robinson at Fan Studies Network Conference 2016 and published to thelynxiblog. (Archived version)
* The (extra)ordinary sex lives of fanfiction readers: slides from a paper presented by Finn Upham at Fan Studies Network Conference 2017.
==References==
Category:Academia