Academic Track
B. Burns and K. Knight,
academic
SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND MEDIA; OH MY! (05/31/06; World Science Fiction Convention; 8/23/06 - 8/26/06)
The World Science Fiction Society is currently inviting papers for the academic track of the 2006 World Science Fiction Convention, otherwise known as Worldcon. This year's Worldcon will be held in Los Angeles, California at the Anaheim Convention Center from Wednesday 23 August through Sunday 27 August and is called L.A.con IV.
In honor of our location in the media capital of the world, the suggested theme for this year is science fiction/fantasy and the media. The academic track is seeking twenty-minute papers on any topic related to science fiction/fantasy in the media and/or media in science fiction and fantasy. We are especially interested in works related to the guests of honor or any of the other prestigious professional guests listed below.
Please note that Worldcon is not a strictly academic conference. There will also be many science fiction fans present and numerous fun and interesting events to attend. This is your opportunity to meet and interact with some of the biggest names in science fiction and fantasy in a welcoming and exciting environment.
While highly theoretical papers are welcome, presenters should be ready to define their terms to an intelligent but not necessarily scholarly audience. On the plus side this means that presenters are encouraged to be a little more creative with their topics and their presentations. The goal is to make the conference as fun and inviting as possible for both scholars and fans.
Please send 300 word abstracts to
academic
no
later than 31 May. Please note whether you will need any audio/visual
equipment for your presentation, including whether you will bring your own
laptop.
Possible topics include (but are not limited to):
-- Texts in multiple media formats-i.e. film, graphic novel, and/or novel
adaptations of the same story
-- Media responses to science fiction narratives
-- Fandom and media
-- Social change through science fiction media-i.e. why was the first
televised interracial kiss on Star Trek?
-- Revisions and re-imagining science fiction narratives-i.e. the various
Star Trek spin offs, Battlestar Galactica, the Star Wars prequels etc.
-- The effect of media on science fiction and vice-versa
-- Gendered, raced, or queer representations of science fiction or science
fiction fandom in the media
-- Science fiction/fantasy video games, role playing games, MMO games or other
interactive narratives, especially adaptations of preexisting texts (i.e.
DC Comics RPG, Star Wars Galaxies etc).
-- Science fiction/fantasy and Disney
The convention Guests of Honor are Connie Willis (Author),James Gurney (Artist), Howard DeVore (Fan), and Frankie Thomas (Special). Frankie Thomas starred in both radio and television as Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, in the 1950s.
Other attending authors:
Anne McCaffrey
Connie Willis
Harlan Ellison
Larry Niven
Gregory Benford
David Brin
Greg Bear
George RR Martin
Jerry Pournelle
Mike Resnick
Nancy Kress
David Gerrold
Attending Media professionals:
Ron Moore (Battlestar Galactica)
J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5)
Robert Gordon (Galaxy Quest)
Robert Burnett (Free Enterprise)
Mark Altman (Free Enterprise)
Eugene Roddenberry (Son, Gene Roddenberry)
Mick Garris (The Shining; The Stand; Masters of Horror)
Garfield & Judith Reeves-Stevens (Enterprise, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; The Lost World)
D.C. Fontana (Star Trek; Star Trek: Next Generation; Buck Rogers; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Babylon 5)
David Gerrold (Star Trek)
Robert Sabaroff (Star Trek)
Attending Comics professionals:
Marv Wolfman (Creator of Blade, Teen Titans)
Len Wein (Creator of Wolverine)
Bernie Wrightson
Wendy & Richard Pini (Elfquest)
For more information on the convention and a longer list of program participants, please see the official website at http://www.laconiv.org/.
How is the academic track different from other programming?
While open to everyone, the academic track of programming consists of panels made up of scholars and cultural critics who are presenting their current research projects in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. The presenters take part in the program to receive feedback on their projects so that they may develop into larger papers or even publications.
Do I have to pay a registration fee?
Yes. All volunteers and program participants must purchase a World Science Fiction Society Membership. With this membership you will have access to all conference programming and events.
Is there funding available through the WSFS?
No. We will make decisions on abstracts within four weeks of receipt so that presenters have plenty of time to apply for funding from their home institutions.
Will there be a/v available?
Only if you have made your requests known at the time you submitted your proposal. We're very sorry, but we cannot accommodate last minute requests for audio visual equipment.
How long is a 20 minute paper?
While everyone's reading speed differs, plan on no more than 9 double-spaced pages.
Why can't I find the "academic track" in the conference program?
In order to encourage participation from all attendees, the academic programming will not be listed separately. Since the panels are themed, they will be denoted by the series name, "SF and Media." An example session name might look like: "SF and Media, 1 of 12: Comic Adaptations."
 Previous: Tentative Program Topics |  | Next: Blood Drive |