Earlier this month, I had the privilege of attending MeCCSA 2024 in Manchester, where I was shortlisted for the Doctoral Thesis of the Year Award for my work on "A Critical, Cultural, and Quasi-Ethnography of British Professional Wrestling." While I didn’t win, being acknowledged alongside some of the top scholars in media, communications, and cultural studies was a tremendous honour. It’s still sinking in—seeing my name on that shortlist felt surreal and reminded me just how far this journey has taken me.
For those unfamiliar, the MeCCSA conference is the annual meeting of the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association—a major gathering for scholars and practitioners in these fields. It’s an opportunity to share research, network, and engage with new ideas across a broad spectrum of topics. Being shortlisted for an award at this conference is a big deal, as it’s recognised as one of the leading events in our discipline. This year’s conference was hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University, and I have to say, the campus was fantastic—spacious, modern, and welcoming. It’s easy to see why it’s so highly regarded, not only as a university but also as a host for major academic events like this.
My thesis on British professional wrestling might seem niche, but to me, it’s an exploration of cultural identity, fan engagement, and the history of a sport that has deep roots in the UK. Wrestling, especially in Britain, often gets overshadowed by its American counterpart, so being acknowledged for bringing its cultural significance to light felt like a real validation of my work. I put a lot of heart into this research, and it was wonderful to see that it resonated with others at MeCCSA.
One of the most exciting moments came when I was approached by Peter Lang Publishing after they spotted my research poster. They expressed interest in my thesis, and it seems like there is scope to make my work into a book, which naturally I'm both nervous and tremendously excited about.. I’m currently working on a book proposal, which could lead to my research being published and reaching a wider audience. I never imagined when I started this journey that British wrestling would be something that could potentially make it to print, but here I am, excited about what’s to come!
As for the conference itself, while I didn’t manage to attend as many sessions as I would’ve liked (nerves and networking can really take up your time!), the ones I did attend were inspiring. It’s such a unique experience being surrounded by other researchers who share a passion for media and culture, and the conversations between sessions really opened my mind to new ideas. It’s easy to forget, when working on a niche topic like mine, that there’s a wider academic community out there, but MeCCSA was a great reminder of that.
Being in Manchester was a definite highlight too. It’s such a vibrant, energetic city, and I made the most of the time I had outside the conference. If you ever find yourself in Manchester, I’d absolutely recommend visiting NQ64, an arcade bar with some seriously awesome cocktails and an amazing collection of original retro video arcade cabinets. I spent far too much time there, playing classics like The Simpsons and Rampage (the first one!)—which really brought back some childhood memories. It’s a perfect spot to unwind after a day of academic sessions! For food, I can’t speak highly enough of Bird of Prey, which serves the most incredible spicy fried chicken sandwiches. If you’re into fried chicken, it’s an absolute must-visit. It might just be the best fried chicken I’ve had!
All in all, MeCCSA 2024 was a significant milestone for me. I didn’t win the award, but the opportunities that came from being there, especially with Peter Lang, are just as rewarding. It’s taught me that recognition doesn’t always come in the form of a trophy—it can be found in the doors that open because of the work you’ve done. I’m looking forward to what’s next and can’t wait to see where this book project takes me.
Thanks to everyone who’s supported me along the way—this is just the beginning!
Dr Dave Boyd
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