‘Sniffin’ Glue and Ripped & Torn: Two cases studies as to why fanzines matter’, an online research seminar by Professor Matthew Worley (History)

This paper will focus on Sniffin’ Glue and Ripped & Torn, two of the most influential fanzines to emerge through British punk in 1976-77. The objective is to use case studies to demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of fanzines as a cultural form, exploring the motivation that inspired their creation and their means of production. Attention will be given to the content of the fanzines, revealing how they provided a space for engagement, a mechanism for agency, and a medium to construct cultural meaning. From this, the benefit to the historian should be clear as semi-private/semi-public ideas in the process of becoming offer us insight into cultural histories formulating ‘from below’.

Matthew Worley is Professor of Modern History at the University of Reading.

Please join the seminar here using Microsoft Teams.