Description
Research into hobby board game culture remains underdeveloped (Sousa and Bernardo, 2019), with gender dynamics particularly understudied despite comparable geek cultures often proving unwelcoming to women (Salter and Blodgett, 2017). This paper explores women's experiences in this male-dominated culture (Trammel, 2023) through 43 semi-structured interviews.Findings show hobby board game culture remains strongly associated with masculinity and women frequently encounter a "board game gender gap" where limited early exposure creates barriers to later participation. While not necessarily common, some also experience sexism and misogyny reflected in assumptions around their gaming preferences, competence, and investment in the hobby—experiences which were often framed as stemming from problematic individuals and social awkwardness rather a being seen as a reflection of broader societal gender inequalities.
At the same time, however, an increasing presence of women (and men’s acceptance of these women) was helping bring about inclusive change within the culture. The research thus identifies two coexisting board game cultures: an "older", more orthodox culture (associated more so with war games, collectible card games, masculine geekiness, insularity, and game shops) and a "newer", more inclusive culture (focused on customer experience, socializing, inclusivity, and found in meet-ups and cafes).
These findings illuminate how traditionally male-dominated leisure and gaming spaces can become more inclusive while highlighting persistent challenges. The coexistence of various board gaming cultures suggests transformation is possible but requires actively fostering inclusive practices rather than relying on organic change.
| Period | 8 Jul 2025 → 10 Jul 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | Leisure Studies Association annual conference |
| Event type | Conference |