Dr Zhen Troy Chen on "Fandom as Method: A Decolonising Framework for Studying Transnational Digital Culture"
About the Talk
This talk proposes 'Fandom as Method,' a critical framework that positions the participatory practices of digital fan communities as a primary lens for theory-building and decolonising media research. Fandom matters because it reveals how political authority, identity, mobilisation, and legitimacy are produced outside formal institutions, and how these processes vary across regimes, cultures, and political economies.
This talk argues for moving beyond treating fandom as a mere object of study, instead leveraging the situated discourses, conflicts, and creative presumption within these communities鈥攅specially in non-Anglophone contexts鈥攁s a vital intervention in knowledge production. This approach directly challenges the default application of Western-centric models by centring analysis within the specific cultural, political, and platform ecosystems where fandom unfolds. Through contemporary case studies, the talk demonstrates how this method excavates unique analytical terrain. It reveals the complex interplay between affect, platform governance, commerce, and authority that defines contemporary digital life in the Global South and beyond. Ultimately, this talk proposes that embracing fandom as method is not merely an analytical choice but a necessary step towards a more inclusive and critically engaged field of study for comparative politics, as well as media and communications.
Event Details
Tuesday, 24th of February 2026
3.00-5.00 PM (UK Time)
R1.03, Ramphal Building and Microsoft Teams
Contact easg@warwick.ac.uk for a Teams invite
About the Speaker
Dr. Troy Chen is an Associate Professor in Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China. An interdisciplinary scholar, his research critically examines the intersection of digital media, platform economies, and cultural policy. His funded research has been supported by the UK鈥檚 Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Newton Fund, among others. He is a frequent media commentator and brings a distinctive perspective from his prior career as an award-winning marketing and media professional. Dr. Chen holds a PhD from the AHRC Centre for Digital Copyright at the University of Nottingham.