Female Esports Fans & Community Dynamics – Anerousis (ERNC25) скачать в хорошем качестве

Female Esports Fans & Community Dynamics – Anerousis (ERNC25)

This presentation by Sofia Anerousis (Boston University) explores how female esports fans experience fandom, build community, and navigate stereotypes within esports culture. Through in-depth interviews with Overwatch League and League of Legends fans, the study reveals how women balance enthusiasm with awareness of parasocial stereotypes, often curating safer online spaces and engaging more positively at in-person events. Findings challenge assumptions about “fangirl” behavior by showing that female fans practice intentional, self-regulated forms of engagement shaped by platform dynamics and community norms. The research highlights the growing agency and influence of female esports fans—and the need for more inclusive frameworks within the esports industry. Keywords: fandom, online communities, female esports fans, parasocial relationships, gender and gaming culture About the ERN Conference 2025: The Esports Research Network Conference 2025 took place online from November 12–14, 2025 as a continuous, 72-hour global livestream. Guided by the theme “Future Realities: Esports as a Global Lab,” the event explored how esports serves as a living laboratory for understanding digital transformation across education, media, technology, and society. This innovative digital-first format followed the sun across three regional hubs, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania & Michigan State University (Americas), Staffordshire University (EMEA), and UNSW Sydney (Asia-Pacific), creating a nonstop, interconnected academic experience available to participants worldwide. This ambitious production was made possible through the support of Corsair for Business, whose Elgato technology powered high-quality broadcasting and seamless livestreaming across all three hubs. ERNC25 continues the network’s mission to unite scholars, practitioners, and students while fostering open, global collaboration in esports research. Full abstracts for all presentations can be viewed in the official Book of Abstracts at: https://book.esportsresearch.net Website: https://esportsresearch.net