Hello everyone!
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! My doctoral thesis, "A Critical, Cultural History and Quasi-Ethnography of British Professional Wrestling," has been shortlisted for the prestigious 'Doctoral Thesis of the Year' award by MeCCSA - The Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association. This recognition is a tremendous honour, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be considered among the top researchers in our field.
For those who might be unfamiliar, MeCCSA is a leading organisation dedicated to advancing research and education in media, communication, and cultural studies. Their annual awards celebrate outstanding achievements in these areas, and being shortlisted is a testament to the hard work and dedication that went into my research.
My thesis, completed in 2023 at Canterbury Christ Church University, offers an in-depth exploration of British professional wrestling from the televised 'World of Sport' era to contemporary outputs. It critically examines aspects such as spectatorship, fandom, professional practice, and cultural exchange, while also addressing problematic issues like authenticity and cultural identity in the age of neoliberalism and the monopolistic rise of WWE. This work was supervised by the brilliant Prof. Alan Meades and Prof. Chris Pallant, whose guidance was invaluable.
I am also excited to announce that I will be attending the MeCCSA Annual Conference 2024, which will be held at Manchester Metropolitan University from 4th-6th September. During the conference, I will have the opportunity to showcase a research poster of my project, offering insights into the key findings and methodologies of my work. I look forward to engaging with fellow researchers and scholars, discussing the nuances of British professional wrestling, and exploring the broader implications of my findings. For more details about the MeCCSA awards and the upcoming conference, you can visit their official website: MeCCSA Awards 2024.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. My supervisors, colleagues, friends, and family have all played an integral role in helping me reach this point. Your encouragement and belief in my work have been invaluable.
As I prepare for the conference and the opportunity to present my research, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. This recognition from MeCCSA is not just a personal achievement but also an affirmation of the importance of studying cultural phenomena like professional wrestling within the academic community. I am eager to share my findings and contribute to ongoing discussions in media, communication, and cultural studies.
Thank you all for your continued support. I look forward to sharing more updates as the conference approaches!
Warm regards,
Dr. Dave Boyd
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