Whether calling for the removal of their club’s manager at Manchester United or protesting the ownership of their team in Tottenham, fans have a long history of mobilizing to support their cause. While one lone boo might not make much of a difference, thousands of supporters doing the same can have tremendous impact.

Moreover, the collective action inherent in fandom often allows fans to take their concerns to wider audiences. For example, a group of Harry Potter fans might organize to raise awareness of the plight of refugees or work in support of AIDS research and charities. Or, a slash fandom might band together to raise money to save a TV show from cancellation or lobby the government on behalf of gay rights.

While the capacity of fans to mobilise around pet causes is well established, these efforts are increasingly being joined by fans who are taking a more active role in pursuing social change. Whether by using their ties to popular culture as tools for activism (as exemplified by Civil Rights Movement-era Black fans who boycotted professional sports teams with segregated seating or by activists who deploy biblical allusions in Zimmerman’s Dream) or through efforts to connect with other fans and draw resources from shared cultural experiences (such as the efforts of authors like John Green, musicians including Gillian Anderson and Hong Kong pop star Ho Denise Wan See or television show runners such as Joss Whedon), this collection showcases cutting-edge research that takes fans seriously as political agents.