The University of Glasgow continues to cement itself as the world’s leading institute for fantasy studies. This week, it will be home to the brand new research center for fantasy and fantastical research.
The Center for Fantasy and the Fantastic will be helmed by Dr Dimitra Fimi and Dr Rob Maslen. The former is a senior lecturer in fantasy and children’s literature. Although she is a specialist on J.R.R Tolkien, she has clarified that the center will focus on all types of fantasy. The research center hopes to connect academia with the fantasy community of creators and performers. In the Glasgow Times, award-winning author Ellen Kushner shared her excitement for its future:
As a fantasy writer, I stand on the shoulders of storytellers stretching back through time, everything from the post-war children’s book authors I grew up reading, to the folk telling tales by the fire they’d heard from their grandmothers in their turn. An entire Center making sure this knowledge is valued, perpetuated, and will exist to inform future generations fills me with joy.”
We’re excited to launch the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic – the first research centre in the world to focus solely on #fantasy! 🌍
The centre will bring together the biggest group of academics working in this field
More 👉 https://t.co/NgNCv4JYFR @UofGFantasy pic.twitter.com/FGzh06ppCZ
— University of Glasgow (@UofGlasgow) September 14, 2020
When it comes to fantasy research, the Scottish university is undoubtedly the best in the field. Five years ago, it launched the world’s first Masters in English fantasy literature. Since then, it has hosted a series of innovative fantasy-related learning opportunities, including a series of public lectures conducted by Idaho State University Professor Brian Attebery and a summer school course entitled “Fantastic Texts and Where to Find Them”. Additionally, the university grounds add to the magical feel, with its neo-Gothic architecture and resplendent buildings rivaling the majesty of the Hogwarts Castle. For
The Center for Fantasy and the Fantastic will have its online launch this Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m. BST. Featuring a talk and a discussion panel, the event will be streamed on the center’s YouTube channel.
We can’t wait to see the projects that the Center for Fantasy and the Fantastic embarks on! Will you be following its research?
