– A report by Saskia Dreßler –
This year marked the fifth anniversary of the FanLIS symposium series (see our reports on the first, second, third and fourth events), a conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of fan studies and library and information science (LIS). The event returned on May 22, 2025, once again in an online format that continues to provide broad and accessible participation. All presentations, talks and the corresponding chat history will be available online soon.
In her opening remarks, Ludi Price reflected on the evolution of FanLIS over the past five years. She highlighted the growth of research at the intersection of Library and Information Science and fan studies, noting how the symposium itself has transformed from an in-person gathering to an online event—an adaptation driven by the pandemic that has remained in place due to its increased accessibility.
The first panel presented a diverse range of topics. Susrita Das opened with “Food, fan art, and preserving a moment in time: a case study of the fandom-themed cafe ecosystem as alternative memory institution.” She proposed that fandom-themed cafes function as alternative archival spaces, preserving cultural memories in ways akin to traditional institutions.
Saskia Dreßler, a researcher from the JVMG project, followed with “How subversive is shipping really? An analysis of heteronormative elements in same-sex relationships focused on German-language anime and manga fan fiction.” Her talk adapted Floegel’s (2020) concept of world-queering to analyze German fan fiction practices.
Next, Tom Ue and Kristofer Starzomski-Wilson shared their findings in “Make It Pink: Superman, Pink Kryptonite, and Fandom.” Their research delved into how fans construct queer reinterpretations of the Superman narrative, focusing particularly on the symbolic use of Pink Kryptonite.
Melissa D. Nelson closed the panel with “Almost, beyond, or alongside fandom? An alternative frame for QAnon.” She explored the concept of “parafandom” as a lens through which to understand movements like QAnon, which mirror fandom structures while diverging ideologically.
The second panel continued with three thought-provoking talks. Beck Chason-McCarthy’s “Multi-Sited Ethnography of Online Fan Binding communities” examined how fan craft communities intersect with other creative practices and what this means for Library and Information Science professionals.
Amber Sewell presented “Fandom does belong in the classroom,” a study investigating how fan practices can enhance student engagement and intertextual expertise in academic settings. She argued that integrating fandom into pedagogy helps students apply their personal information behaviors to scholarly research.
In “Fun, Friends, and Fitness – Why Fans Attend Anime Conventions,” Billy Tringali, Maria Alberto and Jeremiah Martinez shared insights from their survey on anime convention attendees. Their findings underscored the social and performative motivations behind convention participation, such as meeting celebrities, cosplaying, and connecting with community.
The event concluded with a keynote by Julia Bullard titled “I Am Giving This Talk Instead of Sleeping.” Bullard offered a personal overview of her research journey and proposed a framework for understanding fandom through three key elements: joy, creativity, and relationality. She emphasized how Library and Information Science can learn from fan knowledge organization practices, citing fan tagging as a powerful example. In closing, she raised questions about the future of genre studies in fan fiction, pointing to it as a fertile ground for further inquiry.
As in previous years, the symposium was marked by a welcoming and open atmosphere that encouraged reflection and dialogue across disciplines.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Ludi Price and Lyn Robinson for once again organizing such a stimulating and inclusive event. Thanks also to all presenters and participants for contributing to the ever-growing conversation on how fandom and information science enrich one another.