Loncon 3 Academic Programming

Scholars from more than 50 institutions across five continents are coming to Loncon 3, the 2014 Worldcon in London, to share their research in the fields of sf and fantasy.
An academic conference within the broader convention program titled “Diversity in Speculative Fiction” will feature more than 40 hours of events, as well as a joint session with Loncon 3 Guest of Honour John Clute.

There are also two keynote speakers – Professor Isabella van Elferenof Kingston University with “In Space No One Can Hear David Bowie: A Brief History of Unheard Music” and independent scholar Dr. Karen Helleksonon “Affirmational and Transformational Doctor Who Fan Videos.”

The Tolkien Society and the British Science Fiction Association will each host a session, and the Science Fiction Foundation will sponsor a public reception. The conference papers will be collected in a special issue of Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction.

Other conference highlights include:

  • Prof Richard Ashcroft, Queen Mary University of London: “Weird Science, Weird Ethics: Biotechnology and Human Enhancement: The Lens of M. John Harrison’s Signs of Life
  • Dr. Bettina Beinhoff, Anglia Ruskin University: “Why Are Alien Languages Inherently Human? A Participatory Experiment in Sound Symbolism” (a live language experiment with audience participation, followed by a talk)
  • Dr. Anita Harris Satkunananthan, National University of Malaysia: “Vampires, Hierarchies and Alternate Futures: Alaya Dawn Johnson’s Re-envisioned Cultures”
  • Dr. Ewan Kirkland, University of Brighton: “Monogamy, Heteronormativity and Compulsory Heterosexuality in Recent Science Fiction Cinema”
  • Stanislaw Krawczyk, Graduate Student, University of Warsaw: “The Strange Case of Socialism and Capitalism: Fantastic Literature in Poland in the 1980s and 1990s”
  • Dr. Lejla Kucukalic, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE: “Arabian Wonder: Science Fiction in the Middle East”
  • Dr. Amy Sturgis, Lenoir-Rhyne University and the Mythgard Institute: “Sherlock Holmes and Science Fiction”
  • Dr. Dan Smith, Chelsea College of Arts, University of London: “Science Fiction and Outsider Art”

The full press release follows the jump.

Loncon 3 Media Release: Diversity in Speculative Fiction: Loncon 3 launches academic programme

MEDIA RELEASE #22
 
Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention
 
14-18 August 2014 at ExCeL London
 
http://www.loncon3.org
 
[email protected]

Diversity in Speculative Fiction: Loncon 3 launches academic programme
London, 15 May 2014 – Scholars from more than 50 institutions across five continents are coming to Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention taking place at ExCeL London during 14-18 August, to share their cutting-edge research on a full range of topics related to science fiction and fantasy.

“Diversity in Speculative Fiction” is an academic conference running within the broader Loncon 3 convention programme featuring more than 40 hours of talks and discussions about literature, comics, games, film, television, music and fan culture.

Emma England, Academic Programme Area Head, said: “London is traditionally protected by the giants Gog and Magog, demonstrating how the fantastic is part of its 2,000 year history. We will be exploring the alleys and A-roads of the city, where science fiction, fantasy, and all forms of speculative fiction can be found.”

As well as a joint session with Loncon 3 Guest of Honour John Clute, the Tolkien Societyand the British Science Fiction Association are each hosting a session, and the Science Fiction Foundation are sponsoring a public reception. There are also two keynote speakers – Professor Isabella van Elferen of Kingston University with “In Space No One Can Hear David Bowie: A Brief History of Unheard Music” and independent scholar Dr. Karen Hellekson on “Affirmational and Transformational Doctor Who Fan Videos”. The conference papers will be collected in a special issue of Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction.

Other conference highlights include:

  • Prof Richard Ashcroft, Queen Mary University of London: “Weird Science, Weird Ethics: Biotechnology and Human Enhancement: The Lens of M. John Harrison’s Signs of Life
  • Dr. Bettina Beinhoff, Anglia Ruskin University: “Why Are Alien Languages Inherently Human? A Participatory Experiment in Sound Symbolism” (a live language experiment with audience participation, followed by a talk)
  • Dr. Anita Harris Satkunananthan, National University of Malaysia: “Vampires, Hierarchies and Alternate Futures: Alaya Dawn Johnson’s Re-envisioned Cultures”
  • Dr. Ewan Kirkland, University of Brighton: “Monogamy, Heteronormativity and Compulsory Heterosexuality in Recent Science Fiction Cinema”
  • Stanislaw Krawczyk, Graduate Student, University of Warsaw: “The Strange Case of Socialism and Capitalism: Fantastic Literature in Poland in the 1980s and 1990s”
  • Dr. Lejla Kucukalic, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE: “Arabian Wonder: Science Fiction in the Middle East”
  • Dr. Amy Sturgis, Lenoir-Rhyne University and the Mythgard Institute: “Sherlock Holmes and Science Fiction”
  • Dr. Dan Smith, Chelsea College of Arts, University of London: “Science Fiction and Outsider Art”

Full details of how to become a member of Loncon 3 are available at
http://www.loncon3.org/memberships/
 
ENDS
For more information about the academic programme, please contact Emma England – [email protected]. For general media enquiries about Loncon 3 please contact [email protected].
 
ABOUT THE WORLD SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION
 
Founded in 1939, the World Science Fiction Convention is one of the largest international gatherings of authors, artists, editors, publishers, and fans of science fiction and fantasy. The annual Hugo Awards, the leading award for excellence in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, are voted on by the Worldcon membership and presented during the convention.
 
Loncon 3 is the trading name of London 2014 Ltd, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number: 7989510. Registered Office: 176 Portland Road, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 1DJ, UK.
 
“World Science Fiction Society”, “WSFS”, “World Science Fiction Convention”, “Worldcon”, “NASFiC”, “Hugo Award”, the Hugo Award Logo, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Trophy Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.