Fairy tale and fandom: celebrating 20 years of Harry Potter

This event was held on Monday 26 June 2017

Muggles and magic folk are invited to join in the University of Newcastle's celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Join us at our Central Coast campus for a panel discussion on Fairy tale and fandom, with insight from four contemporary literature and Harry Potter experts.

SPEAKERS
Associate Professor Caroline Webb is Head of English and Writing at the University of Newcastle. Her published work includes a study of the children's fantasies of J.K. Rowling, Terry Pratchett, and Diana Wynne Jones, Fantasy and the Real World in British Children's Literature: The Power of Story. Her specialist interests include the relationship between cultural issues and narrative in science fiction and fantasy literature.

Dr Rebecca Beirne is a Senior Lecturer in Film, Television and Cultural Studies who will use her media knowledge and research experience of film, television and popular culture to discuss the impact of the Harry Potter series.

Dr Elizabeth Kinder completed a PhD examining the ‘specular selves’ in the Harry Potter books; the enchanted portraits, moving photographs, magical mirrors, Horcruxes and other incarnations which not only provide a double existence for the characters, but are essential to the stories.

Nicole Shipley is an English Literature researcher whose Honours thesis explored representations of gender within the Harry Potter series. She is currently studying concepts of identity in young adult fiction.

Each speaker will outline some fascinating observations from their own research, before opening the floor for audience questions and the panel discussion.

House scarves and other costumes encouraged - prizes for the best ones!

The panel discussion will be followed by a movie screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Eventbrite - Fairy tale and fandom: celebrating 20 years of Harry Potter