معرفی
Tom Phillips is a Lecturer in the Interdisciplinary Institute for the Humanities at the University of East Anglia, Faculty of Arts and Humanities. His work bridges media studies, cultural theory, and digital humanities, with strong affiliations to research centers like CREATe and the Fan Studies Network, which he founded.
- BA, MA, PhD – University of East Anglia (PhD completed in 2013, AHRC-funded)
Tom's research focuses on the production and reception of popular media. He investigates the UK videogames industry—particularly independent development, business models, and cultural value—and explores media fandom, especially in online communities around professional wrestling, Star Wars, and independent film. His methodology often includes interviews and collaborative workshops with industry professionals and fans.
His recent publications reflect a strong trend in cultural analysis of fan behavior, performance, and identity, particularly in niche or subcultural domains like British women’s wrestling and punk-influenced fan politics. His work frequently appears in edited volumes and journals dedicated to media, fandom, and dramatic theory.
Tom has been recognized with the UEA Engagement Award (2016) for his work with the Norwich Gaming Festival. He is also the founder of the Fan Studies Network, which has hosted multiple international conferences and published special journal issues.
He has contributed to significant research projects such as CREATe (Copyright and New Business Models) and TRI-PACT (Tracking IP Across Creative Technologies), focusing on intellectual property and knowledge exchange across creative industries. His teaching includes courses on videogames, visual cultures, and reception studies across various departments in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities.
Tom is currently affiliated with CREATe at the University of Glasgow and is conducting a literature review on the value of videogames tax relief. He previously held a Senior Research Associate role at CREATe, working across UEA and the University of Edinburgh.
