Vampire Conference

[The Judge]

Not something I'm going to myself, but I thought might be of interest to others:

The UK's only vampire conference (their words, not mine) is being held on 16-17 April 2010 at the de Havilland Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Herts.

The title is - Open Grave, Open Minds: Vampires and the Undead in Modern Culture.

"The aim of the conference is to relate the undead in literature, art and other media to questions concerning gender, technology, consumption** and social change."

Speakers include: Dr Catherine Spooner, University of Lancaster (Contemporary Gothic, 2008); Dr Stacey Abbott, University of Roehampton (Celluloid Vampires, 2007); and Marcus Sedgwick (My Swordhand is Singing, 2006, The Kiss of Death, 2008, and Revolver, 2009).

For conference information contact Dr Sam George on s.george@herts.ac.uk. Doubtless some of the more techo-savvy amongst us might be able to find other links.

Hope it's of interest to someone.

** my bolding - it seems ripe for an ursine comment, somehow...

 

[Brian G Turner]

Do they have a website to provide more information? Really need this selling to me as an event, rather than a dry set of presentations.

 

[Ursa major]

I've made a (brief ) attempt to find a link, but all I can find is a page that is calling for papers (deadline 1st January 2010):

Open Graves, Open Minds: Vampires and the Undead in Modern Culture - University of Hertfordshire
​

Perhaps they've not had enough interest.



(Perhaps it was a mistake holding this in Heart ... er ... Hertfordshire. )

 

[The Judge]

Can't help you there, Brian. With the list of speakers headed by two academics, I can see that it might well be a little bloodless, as it were. If it piques anyone's interest, I suppose the best thing to do is contact this Dr George and ask for more info.

 

[Brian G Turner]

This could potentially be such an exciting event, but my cynical side won't allow me to accept that without being convinced!

 

[chrispenycate]

The aim of the conference is to relate the undead in literature, art and other media to questions concerning gender, technology, consumption** and social change

"Consumption" was the word they used for tuberculosis, wasn't it? Which makes "conspicuous consumption" somebody who can cough louder than anyone else?

 

[j d worthington]

I've made a (brief ) attempt to find a link, but all I can find is a page that is calling for papers (deadline 1st January 2010):

Open Graves, Open Minds: Vampires and the Undead in Modern Culture - University of Hertfordshire
​

Perhaps they've not had enough interest.



(Perhaps it was a mistake holding this in Heart ... er ... Hertfordshire. )

Yes, that's all I can find -- well, that and a site which basically repeats the same information. The topics sound very academic, but could be quite interesting from a critical standpoint; but I really don't think this is one aimed at the general populace....

Still, it's the sort of thing I would greatly enjoy... wish I could go (or at least read a transcript of the thing)....

 

[The Judge]

I've thrown away the flyer I was handed at the campus, which gave the info I transcribed above, but I think I recall reading on the reverse that the University was doing some kind of module connected with vampirism, as well as this conference. If this kind of thing appeals, it perhaps might be worth your while contacting the organisers, jd, to see if you can get hold of some of the course-work etc.

 

[Boneman]

If this kind of thing appeals, it perhaps might be worth your while contacting the organisers, jd, to see if you can get hold of some of the course-work etc.

Shouldn't that be 'corpse-work'?