Wow! But I still think that you are missing the point, of course the English havn't included studies on folklore they are afterall ashamed of their folk history - look at the popular characterisation of Morris dancing for a kick off. But the question is still "are sessions elitist" and none of the wonderful stuff you have written answers that question.

There is a predominance of fast and furious Irish music in sessions in the North of the UK to the detrement of other forms of folk music. Some people are trying to redress this and I don't think that that is elitism but rather an attempt to encourage diversity and revieve other music which is in danger of decline. If it takes elitism to keep the music alive then so be it.

Keep it coming but don't get nasty.