Rocking scholar gets devil-horn salute
Source: Agencies |
May 4, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE research subjects were unlikely for a university thesis: Drummer, Filf, Misery, Nail and Ripper, among others.
But Dave Snell did not study typical. The New Zealander graduated yesterday with a doctoral degree that examined the social habits of headbangers, heavy-metal music fans that are known as "bogans" in New Zealand.
Along the way, Snell got an education in media and politics, after some people publicly derided a grant he received as an example of academic and taxpayer waste.
Snell, who wears black rocker T-shirts and identifies himself as among the subculture, said his research was worthwhile to reveal the way in which a marginalized group can share an identity and community.
His infatuation with the lifestyle began 20 years ago, and is perhaps best expressed in the dedication section of his 235-page thesis: "To my dad, Rex, for putting that first AC/DC tape into the car stereo when I was 12 years old."
When walking up to accept his psychology degree at Waikato University in Hamilton yesterday, Snell got that ultimate sign of respect among metal-heads: A dean held up his fist with his pinkie and index finger extended in a devil-horn salute.
"Heavy metal has been traditionally viewed as causing problems, by making people violent or drug abusers," Snell said. "In reality, it can be quite a positive thing, in the way it brings people together."
His thesis got attention before he started. In 2007, he received a publicly funded grant of nearly 100,000 New Zealand dollars (US$81,000) which was criticized by lawmaker Paul Hutchison, sparking a wider public debate.
But Dave Snell did not study typical. The New Zealander graduated yesterday with a doctoral degree that examined the social habits of headbangers, heavy-metal music fans that are known as "bogans" in New Zealand.
Along the way, Snell got an education in media and politics, after some people publicly derided a grant he received as an example of academic and taxpayer waste.
Snell, who wears black rocker T-shirts and identifies himself as among the subculture, said his research was worthwhile to reveal the way in which a marginalized group can share an identity and community.
His infatuation with the lifestyle began 20 years ago, and is perhaps best expressed in the dedication section of his 235-page thesis: "To my dad, Rex, for putting that first AC/DC tape into the car stereo when I was 12 years old."
When walking up to accept his psychology degree at Waikato University in Hamilton yesterday, Snell got that ultimate sign of respect among metal-heads: A dean held up his fist with his pinkie and index finger extended in a devil-horn salute.
"Heavy metal has been traditionally viewed as causing problems, by making people violent or drug abusers," Snell said. "In reality, it can be quite a positive thing, in the way it brings people together."
His thesis got attention before he started. In 2007, he received a publicly funded grant of nearly 100,000 New Zealand dollars (US$81,000) which was criticized by lawmaker Paul Hutchison, sparking a wider public debate.
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