Editorial

In this anniversary year for the journal, we invited scholars to reflect on a decade of porn studies. Since our inaugural issue in 2014, we have worked with a diverse and brilliant array of scholars to examine the multifaceted dimensions of pornography. While studying porn is often greeted with antagonism and scepticism, Porn Studies has tried to embrace the complexities inherent in understanding pornography as historical, cultural, economic, social, technological, and experiential phenomena. We are extremely grateful to those academics, activists, performers, industry workers, sex workers, and readers who have supported the journal, contributing to its growth and impact. The ongoing interest and engagement from our readers are a testament to the vitality of the field, demonstrating that inquiry into pornography is not only relevant but also a source of genuine curiosity and intellectual engagement. As we look forward, we are excited for our continuing journey, renewing our commitment to fostering conversations that push the boundaries of understanding in this dynamic and evolving field.

In this first issue of 2024, Bobby Noble and Catherine Roach share a profound passion for teaching about sexuality and pornography. In ‘Notes from a (Retiring) Porn Scholar – Teaching Porn Studies in Canada: A (Very Brief) Reflection’, Noble reflects on the complexities of introducing porn into the academic realm, highlighting the transformative potential and challenges it poses within institutional frameworks. As a white transgender man and former working-class lesbian, Noble’s personal journey informs their approach, questioning the implications of bringing porn into the classroom and emphasizing the need to explore the intersections of sex, gender, and institutional dynamics. Noble’s reflections on the changing landscape of feminist porn studies and the impact of self-consciously integrating porn into the classroom set the stage for a critical inquiry into the biopolitical dimensions of truth regimes.

On the other hand, Catherine Roach’s contribution revolves around the creation of a cross-university lecture course titled ‘Sexuality & Society’, which has grown immensely popular among a diverse cohort of students. In ‘Teaching About Good Sex: Classroom Reflections on a Positive Sexuality Curriculum and the Good Sex Story Project’, Roach showcases her teaching experience and research, culminating in the book Good Sex, to explore the transformative power of positive sexuality and the new gender and sexual revolution. Roach’s classroom-based participatory method captures the insights of the Gen Z cohort and provides hope for a more inclusive and sex-positive future. Notably, her emphasis on egalitarian pleasure and the ‘Good Sex Story Project’ highlights the importance of positive sexual experiences that are both ethically commendable and pleasurable.

While Noble and Roach explore distinct aspects of teaching about sexuality, both scholars underscore the significance of incorporating personal experiences, acknowledging the changing socio-cultural landscape, and encouraging open dialogues within the academic setting. Noble’s focus on the integration of porn studies into the classroom and Roach’s emphasis on positive sexuality converge in their shared commitment to challenging norms and promoting a more inclusive and just understanding of sex and gender. Just as Noble and Roach explore the challenges and potentials of integrating sexuality studies into academia, Lynn Comella offers a nuanced examination of the evolving debates over academic freedom and campus free speech. In ‘Teaching Porn in a Time of Backlash: Findings from a Study on Campus Sexual Speech’, Comella sheds light on the increasingly polarized climate wherein legislative attempts to restrict education, particularly on gender, race, and sexuality, coincide with financial pressures on educational institutions. Against this backdrop, Comella sought to understand how instructors teaching courses on pornography navigate this contentious environment, acknowledging her own experiences teaching the politics of pornography.

In the complex web of debates surrounding academic freedom, Comella positions porn studies scholars at the forefront, serving as both a ‘test case and an inspiration’ for addressing challenging, controversial, and potentially obscene material within the college classroom. She outlines the cultural anxieties and controversies associated with pornography, detailing instances where anti-pornography activism led to calls for the dismissal of professors and the cancellation of classes. Despite these challenges, Comella notes that the academic study of pornography has gained institutional legitimacy over the past decade, with dedicated journals, expanded lists from academic presses, and growing interest among students. Highlighting the successes of porn studies scholars on the academic job market, Comella also underscores the integration of discussions about pornography and sex media into college courses. She explores the institutional dynamics that vary from campuses where such courses are established and celebrated to those where anxieties persist due to concerns about upsetting parents or alienating donors. In the past decade, the field of porn studies has evolved, gaining recognition within academia, but challenges persist. The changing legislative landscape, financial pressures on institutions, and ongoing debates surrounding the appropriateness of discussing sexuality in the academic setting reflect the complex interplay of forces shaping the experiences of porn studies scholars. As the discipline continues to develop, it grapples with the delicate balance between academic freedom and the broader socio-political climate, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research and dialogue.

In these contexts, education programmes become ever more important – Paul Byron’s ‘Porn Literacy and Young People’s Digital Cultures’ contends that porn literacy initiatives must consider the ways technology shapes the production, consumption, and circulation of sexual content. Recognizing that young people’s engagement with pornography is closely intertwined with their broader digital practices, including sharing and circulating sexual content, Byron advocates for an inclusive understanding of their experiences. Contrary to many school-based initiatives that adopt an ‘inoculation’ approach, aiming to shield young people from the perceived harms of porn, Byron challenges the assumption that educators fully comprehend the potential harms and messages embedded in pornography. Drawing attention to the historical tendency to shield young people from sexual knowledge, he critiques the logic of keeping sex ‘out of sight, out of mind’, arguing that genuine literacy development involves acknowledging and navigating sexual complexities. Byron explores how safety concerns are embedded in digital media filtering practices, illustrating how attempts to block sexual content contribute to a perception of sex as inherently risky and best kept hidden. He underscores the need to move beyond simplistic educational messages that discourage porn use and, instead, engage in a nuanced understanding of pornography as a multifaceted resource.

Byron further critiques the notion that expressing concerns about the dangers of porn equates to increased critical thinking. He calls for a more comprehensive approach that involves learning from young people about their porn literacies, emphasizing the importance of supporting their strategies for engaging with porn in ways that feel meaningful to them. Byron advocates for researchers and educators to recognize porn as an integral part of contemporary digital cultures, intertwined with learning, connection, and expression. Moreover, he urges a shift in focus towards young people’s own concerns for sexual safety, challenging pre-established ideals of safety and advocating for the creation of supportive, useful, and pleasurable spaces in the realm of porn literacy.

In their conversation ‘Sex Research as Sex Work’, Valerie Webber and Rebecca Sullivan contribute to the evolving discourse surrounding sex work, challenging stigmas and advocating the rights of sex workers. Their collaboration reflects the growing acknowledgement of the intersections between academic and sex work labour, emphasizing the shared precarities and gig economies present in both fields. Their conversation resonates with Comella’s exploration of the challenges faced by porn studies scholars, situated at the nexus of academic freedom, public perception, and legislative scrutiny. The exchange between Webber and Sullivan highlights the need for a multi-pronged strategy to challenge stigmas surrounding sex work, aligning with the themes of advocacy and recognition of performer rights discussed by Comella. Beyond their personal experiences, Webber and Sullivan seek to address larger issues, echoing Bobby Noble’s call for allied scholarship.

As Webber and Sullivan discuss their involvement in sex work and academia, they explore the shifting focus within porn studies over the past decade, moving beyond representational studies to address pornography as a labour issue. The focus on understanding porn as a labour issue underscores collective efforts to destigmatize sex work within academic discourse. Their reflection on the shift in perspective emphasizes the need to explore the socio-legal context that shapes perceptions of sex work and challenges the assumption that sex is inherently risky.

The interconnected narratives presented by these authors offer a comprehensive view of the challenges, developments, and evolving perspectives within the field of sexuality studies and porn studies. From teaching controversial subjects to navigating academic freedom, from the experiences of sex workers to changing focus within the discipline, these narratives collectively contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex intersection between academia and sexuality.

Our next two contributions from co-authors Heather Tornblom and Jonathan Allan and from Lisa Z. Sigel take a shift towards the exploration of archives, libraries, and the challenges they face in collecting, preserving, and making available explicit materials. In ‘Seeking Smut: Collaborations between Researchers, Librarians, and Interlibrary Loans in the Study of Sexuality and Desire’, Tornblom and Allan underscore the academic value of pornographic magazines as records of human sexuality, documenting societal norms, gender constructions, and sexual identities. However, a challenge lies in the reluctance of academic libraries to treat these materials with the same dedication as more conventional resources. Tornblom and Allan’s article highlights the impact of organizational policies on interlibrary loan staff and researchers, prompting a detailed examination of the unique challenges involved in obtaining and preserving pornographic magazines.

Lisa Z. Sigel’s article ‘Preserving “The Intellectual Garbage of the Past”: A Call to Action’ complements this discussion by addressing the persistent impulse to deaccession, destroy, or remove historical collections of pornography, erotica, and obscenity from libraries and archives. Her article sheds light on the political challenges institutions face in the current environment, where attacks against explicit materials come from various quarters cutting across the political spectrum. Sigel stresses the need to consider historical precedents and their implications for present choices, emphasizing the real-time consequences institutions face in grappling with ethical and legal challenges related to explicit materials. In her exploration of ethical considerations surrounding the unequal representations in historical pornography, Sigel also draws attention to issues of consent, power dynamics, and inequalities and ongoing discussions in libraries and archives about the origins and impacts of their collections, particularly in response to accusations of sexism, racism, and ableism.

Sigel’s examination of the movement against pornography, drawing parallels with historical antipornography activism, resonates with the evolving rhetoric highlighted by Tornblom and Allan. Also, just as Lynn Comella outlines the curtailing of academic freedom and challenges faced by porn studies scholars, Sigel highlights the politicization of sexual content and consequent impact on libraries, schools, and archives, pointing to the potential justifications for book bans and censorship, which intersect with the challenges discussed by Noble and Roach regarding teaching controversial subjects. The examples provided by Sigel, such as the labelling of books as pornographic leading to bans and real-world consequences, underscore the broader societal implications and complexities involved in the study and representation of explicit content.

As this issue navigates the landscape of porn studies, exploring academic freedom, challenges in libraries, and debates surrounding explicit materials, Paasonen’s examination of the digital realm provides a timely shift. Probing the complexities of definitions and classifications of explicit content in the age of digital communications, Paasonen’s ‘Dick Pics and the Shifty Meanings of Porn’ enquires into the evolving nature of pornography in contemporary contexts. Her examination of dick pics as native objects of networked exchanges raises important questions about the appropriateness of using terms like ‘pornography’ in the context of rapidly changing digital communication practices. Paasonen encourages porn scholars to be attentive to the vocabularies and discussions within user cultures, avoiding normative classifications.

Similarly, Katrien Jacobs’ ‘DIY Pornography and the Deepfake Coup’ investigates a transforming zeitgeist around DIY pornography. Defined as online erotica crafted and disseminated by amateurs or independent producers, DIY porn has long embodied an ethos embracing diverse sexual cultures, subcultural sexualities, and participatory practices. However, the surge in hate media, coupled with stringent digital platform regulations, challenges the DIY ethos, prompting a shift from liberal notions of emancipation to far-right co-option. Jacobs sheds light on the unsettling phenomenon of ‘deepfake pornography’, a new frontier in hate media that utilizes synthetic media and visual effects to maliciously target individuals, frequently public figures but also ‘ordinary’ people, particularly women and girls. Jacobs critically examines the impact of deepfakes on digital platforms, highlighting concerns over discriminatory content, privacy, and the potential harms inflicted on women and sexual minorities. Weaving together insights from various scholars scrutinizing digital platforms and software repositories, Jacobs contributes to ongoing conversations about the digital regulation of sexually explicit content, the appropriation of technology for malicious purposes, and the potential of inclusive-focused design as a countermeasure to revenge-porn threats.

These intersections of digital cultures, pornography, and their complex relationship with hate media in the digital age also resonate in Peter Alilunas’ ‘What We Must Be: AI and the Future of Porn Studies’ and his exploration of the broader societal reactions and debates ignited by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Released in late November 2022, ChatGPT allowed millions to harness the power of AI for a myriad of tasks, sparking a spectrum of responses ranging from awe to scepticism. The subsequent emergence of image-generating AI like Midjourney and DALL·E further intensified discussions, dividing opinions into the optimistic camp of ‘Dreamers’ and the cautious sceptics labelled as ‘Doomers’. Alilunas navigates through the cultural whiplash, where voices clamour for the immense potential of AI-driven positive change or warn of its potential to bring about catastrophic consequences, drawing parallels to earlier debates around emerging technologies. This narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a societal phenomenon termed ‘gradual, inevitable surrender (GIS)’. Reflecting a blend of technological curiosity, discursive exhaustion, and a collective shrug regarding the potential dangers of AI, this condition speaks to a nuanced perspective that transcends the dichotomy of Dreamer and Doomer narratives. In a landscape dominated by exaggerated claims, Alilunas emphasizes the need for contextual understanding of AI’s cultural implications, highlighting the challenges and opportunities embedded in this technological paradigm shift. Alilunas’ discussion invites readers to reflect on the evolving vocabularies applied to AI technologies. Drawing connections between the contextual care recommended by Paasonen, Jacobs’ recommendation to rethink technology, and the nuanced perspective proposed in this article opens up the complexities of AI discourse, moving beyond simplistic classifications and embracing a more comprehensive understanding of the cultural, ethical, and societal dimensions shaping our engagement with artificial intelligence.

The final article in this issue is an interview with Professor Alan McKee. Nobody has done more to question the academic study of pornography across various disciplinary boundaries than McKee, and in this interview he discusses his background, motivations, and answers questions about porn’s pleasures and dangers, the history and development of porn research, working across disciplines, porn literacy, and sexual health.

Reflecting on the diverse themes explored in all these articles, it is evident that the field of porn studies has evolved dynamically over the past decade. The interdisciplinary nature of these studies, delving into education, sexuality, labour, archives, libraries, and the intersection with emerging technologies like AI, underscores the expansive scope that porn studies now encompasses. For a decade this journal has played a crucial role in fostering exciting research and nuanced discussion. The necessity for further work is apparent, not only to capture the ever-changing landscape of sexual representations but also to understand the societal, ethical, and cultural implications that result. The past decade has witnessed significant shifts to consideration of porn as an ever more complex socio-cultural and global issue. This evolution underscores the importance of remaining attuned to historical and contemporary trends, acknowledging that our field is dynamic and requires constant re-evaluation of perspectives.