72nd World Science Fiction Con to celebrate 'Diversity in Speculative Fiction'

The academic programme at Loncon 3, the 72nd World Science Fiction Convention which will be held in London next August at the Excel, is offering the opportunity for academics from across the globe to share their ideas - including their thoughts on comics - with their peers and convention attendees.

Running from Thursday 14th to Monday 18th August 2014, Loncon 3 has already announced authors Iain M. Banks, John Clute and Robin Hobb, SF editor and critic Malcolm Edwards and the highly influential SF artist Chris Foss, artist and designer Jeanne Gomoll  and comics creator Bryan Talbot as Guests of Honour.

In a Call for Papers for the event, organisers have announced that to reflect the history and population of London, the host city, the theme of the academic programme at the event is 'Diversity'.

"We will be exploring science fiction, fantasy, horror, and all forms of speculative fiction, whether in novels, comics, television, and movies or in fanworks, art, radio plays, games, advertising, and music."

Proposals are particularly welcome on the works of the Guests of Honour, the city of London as a location and/or fantastic space, and underrepresented areas of research in speculative fiction. Examples of these may include, but are not limited to:

• Representation of alternative sexualities
• Speculative fiction by writers and producers of colour
• Non-English language media and/or fandoms
• The fantastic in unexpected places (greetings cards, opera, football stadiums)
• Digital comics
• The role of speculative fiction in Live Action Role-Playing
• The fantastic in music videos
• Speculative fiction in advertising
• European horror

Academics at all levels are warmly encouraged, including students and independent scholars. Proposals for presentations, roundtable discussions, lectures, and workshops/masterclasses are welcomed.

The deadline for submission is 1st October 2013 and participants will be notified by December 31st 2013. All presenters must be in receipt of convention membership by 1st May 2014. Abstracts will be included in the Academic Programme Book, available to download from the Loncon website. It is anticipated that an edited volume showcasing the variety of topics presented will be published.

• To propose a paper, please submit a 300 word abstract to Emma England, the academic area head. To submit something other than a paper, please contact her first, for an informal exchange of ideas at emma.england@loncon3.org.



• Web: http://loncon3.org • Twitter: @AcademicLoncon3