Communications

Professor

College of Education and Social Work - Counselor Education

Bio

Dr. Lynn Zubernis has published seven books on the psychology of fandom. Her research focuses on the mental health benefits of being a fan in terms of identity development, stress reduction, emotional regulation and just plain having fun – while also acknowledging the risks that can lead to fandom being unhealthy. Several of her books are written with the actors from the television show of which she herself is a fan, a genre show called ‘Supernatural,’ including the aptly titled ‘Family Don’t End With Blood.’ Zubernis writes a column on The Science of Fandom for Psychology Today and is a frequent contributor to print media, podcasts and youtube shows as a fandom expert. She also writes reviews and articles for MovieTVTechGeeks and her own website, Fangasmthebook.com and has co-produced a documentary on fangirls. Zubernis is the Area Chair for Stardom and Fandom for the Southwest Popular Culture Association and on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Fandom Studies, and has also contributed chapters to multiple academic books on fandom. When she’s not enjoying time with her two children, you can find her either writing or watching episodes of ‘Supernatural’.

Expertise

• Fandom
• The Psychology of Fandom
• Fan Psychology
• The Science of Fandom
• The Psychology of being a Fan
• Fans
• Popular Culture

Education

• Ph.D. Bryn Mawr College 2002
• Clinical Developmental Psychology
• B.A., Rosemont College 1994
• Psychology

Media

On air:
CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corp), 2022
WAER Public Radio, 2021
NPR, 2014

Print:
Vice, LaPresse, Vox, Wired 2021
Variety, IGN, EntertainmentWeekly, The Kit, 2020
The Guardian, 2018
Nylon, Minerva, 2016
Minerva, The Mary Sue, The Indy Geek, 2015
New Statesman, Io9, 2014 (partial list)