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- Convenors:
-
Henrike Neuhaus
(NRI, University of Greenwich)
JulieAnn Thomas (UCL)
Eilis Lanclus (KU Leuven)
Jasmin Seijbel (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
Andrea Buchetti (University of Roma La Sapienza)
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- Format:
- Panel
- Transfers:
- Open for transfers
Short Abstract:
Sensors, cameras and other recording technologies influence how sports, martial arts, dance and physical activities are played and performed. This panel thinks with, through and about technologies in a context of multimodal anthropology to look at transformations in movement practices.
Long Abstract:
We aim to bring together ethnographies and multimodal works that engage with moving bodies to scrutinise transformations in sporting, martial arts, dance, audience and movement practices in relation to what technologies in these environments afford.
Inspired by topics that members of the International Network of Sport Anthropology (INSA) research, sports, dance and martial arts practice serve as avenues for examining the intersecting phenomena of societal integration, migration, life course dynamics, and identity construction to emerging body practices and tackles societal (trans-)formations. Exploring these phenomena through sport and movement requires keen awareness of the senses and the pursuit of various modes of investigation. Thus, multimodal anthropology (Dattatreyan and Marrero-Guillamón 2019) allows the scope to experiment with different techniques to understand together with the research participants (epistemic partners) the variegated topics in relation to the presence of technologies. Filming a game from the stands may at first hand appear as a remote activity to the action on the pitch, however, the technology users find themselves in a mesh of performances and rituals which provoke various actions and interactions with the surroundings. Taking (digital) recording devices - smart watches, cameras, stopwatches and sensor technologies in the area of practice - into account, the introduction of these technologies shapes and transforms the practice as much as the practice inspires the development of new technologies (Kerr 2016, Tjønndal 2023).
This panel aims to kindle reflections on transformations in movement practices and technologies through critical, multisensory and interactive presentations.
Accepted papers:
Paper short abstract:
The Backyard Ultra format reveals how endurance, technology, and social connection intersect. Focusing on Belgian runners and the biannual virtual Team World Championship, this ethnography examines how digital tools shape experiences and community.
Paper long abstract:
The Backyard Ultra, an ultramarathon format where participants run a 6,7km loop every hour until only one runner remains, offers a compelling lens for exploring the intersection of endurance, technology, and social connection. Among Belgian runners, this format fosters a digitally mediated sense of community. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the creation of the Backyard Ultra Team World Championship, a biannual event where over 60 countries connect digitally to compete simultaneously, with each team running in their respective countries. This global event amplifies the interplay between running and virtual interaction, embedding local performances within an international digital framework. This paper presents an ethnography of Belgian Backyard Ultra runners, focusing on how digital technologies shape their experiences and interactions. Drawing on sensory methods, the study examines how runners use smartwatches, live-streaming platforms, and virtual tracking apps to mediate their engagement with endurance, time, and camaraderie. Virtual audiences and global competitors offer encouragement and motivation, while performance-tracking devices are integral to pacing and strategy. By exploring these phenomena, this ethnography highlights how Belgian runners and race directors navigate the blurred boundaries between local and global, physical and virtual, contributing to discussions on how technology transforms social relations in ultrarunning communities.
Paper short abstract:
This study explores how the use of technology can be utilized to understand how the rise in football tourism affects avid supporters in Anfield's matchday stands. We examine the clash between tourists' use of technology and traditional fan practices, revealing impacts on atmosphere and identity.
Paper long abstract:
Tourists, whether avid football fans or casual visitors, are increasingly drawn to iconic football stadiums like Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, to experience match days, often promoted as unique spectacles. However, the globalization and commodification of football have introduced tensions between tourists and long-time local supporters. This study investigates how technology—implemented by both clubs (e.g., WiFi) and individuals (e.g., selfie sticks, iPads, and phones)—disrupts locals’ traditional match-day experiences. Through fieldwork at Anfield and an online ethnographic study of the ‘Red and White Kop’ fan forum, it examines the impacts of these disruptions on social rituals, atmosphere, and community among Liverpool fans. Drawing on Georg Simmel’s and Émile Durkheim’s theoretical frameworks, the study reveals that the (over)use of mobile technology exacerbates a divide between loyal fans and tourists, affecting match-day rituals and eroding the sense of collective identity in the stands. By highlighting these shifts, the study deepens the understanding of the evolving relationship between local fans and tourists in modern football culture. It also emphasizes the need for policies to balance the preservation of traditions and atmosphere with the demands of a globalized audience in the English Premier League.