Simone
I am a media and popular culture scholar specializing in participatory culture, fandom, and media controversies. As an assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, I study how fans engage with and disengage from celebrities over time. My expertise is frequently featured in outlets such as Wired or NOSop3 where I provide insights into the complexities of popular culture in the digital age. I have published in a.o. American Behavioral Scientist, Convergence, and am the co-editor of Participatory Culture Wars.
I am an active contributor to global conversations on media, fandom, and popular culture. I serve(d) on a wide variety of expert panels, advisory boards, and academic committees, shaping global discussions on popular culture, media, and audience engagement. And I often collaborate with leading organizations and institutions to connect science and society.
A selection of my academic citizenship:
Featured as a speaker in a public event organized by the Museum of Sound and Vision on the Dutch end-of-year music phenomenon the “Top 2000”, discussing music fandom and nostalgia.
Featured as an academic expert in cancel culture for an event organized by Stichting Entertainment Group, who invited me to discuss cancel culture for professionals working in the landscape of media entertainment law.
Acted as a panelist at the prestigious music industry conference Eurosonic Noorderslag, where I shared insights into fan loyalty and cancel culture.
Currently actively involved in the following Committees and Boards:
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Steering Comittee Member for the Fan and Audience Steering Group of the Society for Cinema and Media Studies
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Founding member of the European Taylor Swift Research Network (join via: SWIFTSTUDIES@JISCMAIL.AC.UK) + organizer of the first Tayor Swift symposium on mainland Europe (link to this post or see photos - Nieuwsuur?) - https://www.instagram.com/uva_amsterdam/reel/C9SPMvStMeH/?hl=nl
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Advisory Board Member of SXSW Pitch
Latest academic publications:
- Driessen, S., Jones, B., & Litherland, B. (Eds.). (2025). Participatory Culture Wars: Controversy, Conflict, and Complicity in Fandom. University of Iowa Press.
- Driessen, S., Jones, B., & Litherland, B. (2024). From fan citizenship to ‘fanspiracies’: Politics and participatory cultures in times of crisis? Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies.
- Driessen, S. (2023). The Participatory Politics and Play of Canceling an Idol: Exploring How Fans Negotiate Their Fandom of a Canceled ‘Fave’. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies.
- Driessen, S. (2022). Campaign Problems: How Fans React to Taylor Swift’s Controversial Political Awakening. American Behavioral Scientist.
For a full overview see: https://tinyurl.com/SMRDriessen
A selection of recent media appearances:
- “Across social platforms, Neil Gaiman’s fans are struggling: ‘People are grieving in a very public way’” (17/1/2025) for Polygon -
https://www.polygon.com/features/510765/neil-gaiman-fans-respond-sexual-assault-allegations
- Gecanceld? Hoe maak je een comeback? (15/1/2025), podcast for Universiteit van Nederland - https://www.universiteitvannederland.nl/podcast/gecanceld-hoe-maak-je-een-comeback
- "In 2024, Fandom Conquered the World" (30/12/22024) for WIRED - https://www.wired.com/story/the-year-fandom-conquered-the-world/
- “Concertreeks met de muziek van Borsato maar zonder Borsato zelf van start” (27/12/2024) for Dutch broadcaster NOS - https://nos.nl/l/2549744
- “Taylor Swift et Joe Biden : un soutien discret au camp démocrate... bientôt renouvelé ?” (31/8/2024) for French outlet L’Express - https://www.lexpress.fr/monde/taylor-swift-et-joe-biden-un-soutien-discret-au-camp-democrate-bientot-renouvele-YVVWW2RHI5FWXLD2MLK5I6JAB4/
Reactionary Audiences symposium in Dublin
Reactionary Audiences symposium in Dublin
Services
🔍 Research & Consultancy
With over a decade of experience, I provide qualitative, research-based consultancy for media, cultural institutions, and brands. I help clients understand fan engagement, and pop culture phenomena at large.
🎙️ Public Speaking & Workshops
In need of an engaging talk or workshop on popular culture, fandom, and media? I regularly speak at conferences, industry events, and public forums, tailoring content to diverse audiences.
🔗 Academic Collaborations
In my role as an assistant professor and senior lecturer, I collaborate on interdisciplinary and international research projects. I welcome research partnerships and guest lectures.
Or find me at the following events:
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Reaction(ary) Media: Situating, Influencers, Audiences, and Antagonisms, University College Dublin, Ireland
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MOCReN conference, Lisbon, Portugal
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Association of Internet Researchers, Niteroi, Brazil
Out now!
Our timely and relevant edited collection on "Participatory Culture Wars" in which we examine controversies, conflicts and complicity tied to fandom and audiences.