Humanities
Brooke Eaglesong Wilson
Eastern Illinois University
“For Her Horror: Sociopsychological Gratifications Obtained by Fem Fans of the Slasher”
Brooke Wilson received both her B.A. in 2022 and M.A. in 2025 in Communication Studies at Eastern Illinois University. Her research explores how fans use maligned media to build identity, community, and meaning. In her thesis she focuses on women who are fans of slasher films and who side with the unjustified killer, such as Art the Clown from Terrifier. Brooke argues that rooting for this type of an antagonist in slasher films fulfills sociopsychological needs for fans that they otherwise cannot satisfy outside of media. Drawing from qualitative interviews from fans themselves, findings include fulfillment of sociopsychological needs from three main sectors: career, relationships, and sex. This research is an important step in reintroducing misunderstood media that deserves a second look as well as helping fans articulate their own media diets. Brooke has since launched a digital YouTube series on The Communication Crypt called “Fandom Unearthed,” wherein each episode she features one maligned media and its fandom to reintroduce and uncover the underlying meanings behind its cult following.
Humanities Honorable Mention: Arianna Van Kley (University of South Dakota), “More than a Stop on the Way to Yellowstone: The Parks of the Black Hills and Their Impact on Wilderness Preservation”