LSFRC is a research community, a place for people to share research ideas, explore new texts and perspectives on Science Fiction in a friendly and welcoming environment, regardless of background, institutional affiliation or educational status.

illustration of a black circle with rays shining out of its centre to depict a total eclipse of the sun

We actively support and encourage diversity in Science Fiction studies and fandom, not only in the range of approaches to the genre (including looking at the genre through the lenses of race, class, gender, sexuality, disability etc), but also in our commitment to providing a welcoming space for the intellectual engagement with Science Fiction for people of all backgrounds and experience. 

Our Activities

Monthly Reading Group

Regular sessions bringing the community together

  • Informal discussions about the month’s selected SF texts (short stories, novels, articles, essays, films)
  • No prior experience or knowledge required – welcome to all
  • Online via Zoom, usually 7-8:30pm UK time
  • Video link delivered by our newsletter and Facebook group

Events

Sharing new perspectives in SF through participatory activities throughout the year

  • Events beyond our Monthly Reading Group and Annual Conference offer activities to think more expansively about the annual theme and dive deeper into its subtopics
  • Interdisciplinary and in multiple formats, we organise workshops and work-in-progress seminars for researchers, creatives and more

Annual Conference

A celebration of global and intersectional SF responding to our annual theme

  • Culminating our year’s projects and collaborations, the LSFRC Annual Conference is a 2-day virtual, global event that demonstrates the plurality of critical and inspiring work being shaped with SF for more just futures. With contributions from fans, scholars, activist organisers, artists and more through:
    • Keynote speakers
    • Panel presentations
    • Workshops
    • Performances / screenings

LSFRC News

  • Reading Group Report on Exit West

    We met on Monday 4th of November, at Birkbeck’s Gordon Square building, to discuss Exit West (2017) by Mohsin Hamid. The meeting was the second of our new cycle of […]


  • Reading Group Poll for Beyond Borders

    We have now launched a poll for choosing our texts for this year’s theme of ‘Beyond Borders’. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/J6YSY5L Please fill out the survey if you think you would be interested […]


  • Bloodchild

    For our first reading group meeting of the year, we read Octavia Butler’s 1984 short story “Bloodchild”. We (the organising committee of LSFRC) chose the text firstly as there has […]


  • Beyond Borders: Empires, Bodies, Science Fictions

    The arm twisted and turned with lightningImperativeness as if to reach the pointOf the borders of the day that touchEach other on the rim of the precision-discipline.Where is the place […]


  • Productive Futures Event Information

    With the “Productive Futures” conference nearly upon us, we have created this post as a way to track event information not included in the conference programme booklet. Building and Room […]


  • Productive Futures Conference Programme

    We are extremely proud to unveil the masterfully designed conference programme for “Productive Futures.” You can view and download the programme pdf here. If you have any difficulties reading the […]


  • Productive Futures Conference Schedule

    We are excited to be able to share the schedule for our “Productive Futures” conference with you. To see the current version of the conference schedule, please click here. For […]


  • Reading Group Report for Walkaway

    For our most recent reading group event, we read Walkaway (2017) by Cory Doctorow. A group of about ten met to discuss the novel in a seminar room at Birkbeck, […]


  • Productive Futures Conference Registration

    Registration for “Productive Futures: The Political Economy of Science Fiction” is now open. For more information, please visit the ticket tailor page for the event. All are welcome! LSFRC is […]


  • Guest Talk: Professor Sherryl Vint, “Living to Work: Biocapital, Synthetic Biology, and the Precaritization of Labour”

    Monday 5th August, 6-8.30 pm. Keynes Library, 43 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PD. We are very proud to be hosting Professor Sherryl Vint at the Keynes Library in Birkbeck’s School […]


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