Journal of Fandom Studies, The - Volume 14, Issue 1, 2026

This research interrogates the subset of fandom called OSR, or Old School Renaissance, and its relation to the diversity in Dungeons & Dragons communities. Some who populate OSR are hostile to changes in the game, as it bends to a larger, diverse audience in recent years. These ideas are often expressed in social media spaces online and lead to contentious conversations between players. I perform a critical discourse analysis on X posts linked to fringe OSR members, specifically surrounding changes in Dungeons & Dragons that were seen as too progressive by some. I note how these gamers encourage a cultural capital that further boosts a veneration of nostalgia, while wanting to enforce a so-called magic circle between the gaming world and the real world. Further, I discuss how fan-related cultural capital furthers norms valued in gaming spaces.

We examine how Harry Potter fans negotiate their identities after the author, J. K. Rowling, wrote multiple transphobic posts on X. We answer the questions of (1) whether Rowling’s social media posts about gender impacted fans’ identities and behaviour and, if so, (2) what factors relate to fans’ choices to remain a fan. We present findings from survey data collected between 2022 and 2023. Using t-tests and logistic regression, we analyse changes in respondents’ identification as Harry Potter fans and their engagement with the Wizarding World. The data show our respondents were less likely to identify as Harry Potter fans and less likely to consume or participate in media or activities after Rowling’s transphobic social media posts. Our analysis shows that fans’ disengagement from the fandom is largely driven by the importance of Harry Potter to their identity, perspective of cancelling, familiarity with gender issues and demographics. Our results build upon scholarship on cancellation, identity and fandom by describing why people may disengage from a fandom.

Sexuality development is a lifelong process, and a critical component within this is one’s sexual self-concept. Such development is particularly challenging and prolonged for LGBTQ+ individuals who frequently experience social repercussions for their non-heterosexual identities. Yet, prior research finds that, broadly, fandom engagement and communities are promising avenues for LGBTQ+ fans’ healthy development. Using a sample of LGBTQ+ Harry Potter/Marauders fans, we examined the associations between subversive fan behaviours and motivations (i.e., eudaimonic motivations for reading slash fanfiction, queer readings to find a community and character identification) on two components of the sexual self-concept. For sexual anxiety, there was not a significant association with eudaimonic motivations, queer readings and character identification, nor were there significant moderation effects. For sexual self-esteem, there were significant direct associations with queer readings and character identification, but not eudaimonic motivations. There was also a significant moderation for eudaimonic motivations and character identification on sexual self-esteem, but the interaction was only significant at the lowest level of the moderator. Findings are discussed in light of the media effects and human development literatures.

This article introduces the fanship scale, which aims to provide a measure for fanship within fan studies research. This scale adds a new tool for researchers to better understand and measure the intensity and characteristics of fanship. The research in the conducted study identifies the multiple factors of fanship and offers a scale to better understand the impact and robust aspects of fanship. The two-part study initially explores the definitions and dimensions of fanship, setting the foundation for scale development. The primary findings include the identification of key fanship factors that expand upon previous research and the creation of the fanship scale itself. The article also details the validation steps employed throughout the scale’s development to ensure its reliability and accuracy.

Review of: Disability and Fandom, Katherine Anderson Howell (2025)

Iowa City, IA: University of Iowa Press, 232 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-60938-967-3, p/bk, USD 95