Heather Shay
Assistant Professor of Sociology and author of Identity Building Among Role-Playing Gamers (Bloomsbury, 2025), presenting findings from participant-observation and interviews about identity work in tabletop role-playing games.
Top 3 podcasts with Heather Shay
Ranked by the Snipd community
Apr 27, 2026 • 48min
Heather Shay, "Identity Building Among Role-Playing Gamers: Slaying Goblins in the Real World" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Heather Shay, sociologist and tabletop role-player, draws on 19 months of fieldwork to explore how players build moral, meaningful identities through role-playing. She discusses what makes a 'good gamer,' how privilege and stereotypes shape play, risks of deep immersion, group dynamics and sanctions, and how gaming serves as emotional practice and social skill rehearsal.
Apr 27, 2026 • 48min
Heather Shay, "Identity Building Among Role-Playing Gamers: Slaying Goblins in the Real World" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Heather Shay, Assistant Professor of Sociology and author of Identity Building Among Role-Playing Gamers, draws on long-term fieldwork and interviews. She explores the 'good gamer' ideal, how groups police norms, and how tabletop play lets people take imaginary risks that shape identity. Conversation covers character performance, group fun, sanctions, and the emotional work of role-playing.
Apr 27, 2026 • 48min
Heather Shay, "Identity Building Among Role-Playing Gamers: Slaying Goblins in the Real World" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Heather Shay, Assistant Professor of Sociology and author of Identity Building Among Role‑Playing Gamers, shares findings from 19 months of fieldwork. She explores how tabletop role‑playing helps people craft moral, meaningful identities. Short takes cover what makes a "good gamer," how privilege shapes status, risks of deep immersion, group sanctions, and how play practices build social and emotional skills.
