Graduate programs for fan studies (cosplay)

[cnstoker]

I am looking for a graduate program (in Canada, the US, or the UK) that will give me the resources, funding, and flexibility I need to study cosplay. I have an MA in English, and am looking for a PhD program. I'm particularly interested in cosplay as a rhetorical fan practice, in relation to gender, in science fiction/fantasy fandoms. Right now I mostly focus on Doctor Who cosplay, but I'd like to branch out.

 

Should I focus on programs that specialize in fan studies, look for a rhet/comp program, a gender studies program, a sociology program, or find a place with lots of SF/F scholars? I'm having a hard time finding a place where I'd be a good fit, and there seem to be very few options for someone who wants to study fan practices instead of reception.

 

Any suggestions on programs or the type of program I should look for?

Edited May 18, 2013 by cnstoker

[literary_tourist]

I know Cardiff has a really good program for that:

 

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jomec/research/researchgroups/studyareas/audienceandfanstudies/index.html

[Abc_adams]

I am not an expert at this, so take my advice with a large pinch of salt.

Maybe you could try a PhD in media studies? You will be a fit in either of these programs. The interdisciplinary nature of media studies PhDs might give you substantial freedom to study this field and even extend it other domains.

 

This what I would suggest. Go to Google Scholar. Check out some good research in the field of cosplay. See who the authors are and google their names. See which university and department they are working in, and what profile do they have. Their profiles might offer you an insight into which path to take.

 

I am a big Doctor Who fan and I really hope you find a good PhD program.

[poliscar]

I would also look at anthropology departments... I'm sure there are scholars doing ethnographic work on fandoms. 

[danieleWrites]

OTW has a lot of academic backing. They run a peer-reviewed media studies journal: http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc You can look through the PhDs on the board for the journal. It's a pretty good guess they'll be supportive/interested in fandom related work. If nothing else, you can find one to send an email to asking for help.

[WendyMoira]

UT-Austin's Radio-Television-Film department has a few scholars that would be into that. They're also, I think, a top program in RTF. I think fan studies is fairly popular at the moment.