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

  • CFP – Beyond Borders: Empires, Bodies, Science Fictions

    11th-12th September 2020 Keynote Speakers: Dr Nadine El-Enany and Florence Okoye A border, like race, is a cruel fiction Maintained by constant policing, violence Always threatening a new map. from […]


  • LSFRC Work in Progress 2: Bibliography

    LSFRC’s second Work in Progress event, which took place online via Zoom, was a resounding success, with nearly thirty participants engaging over the course of the day. In light of […]


  • Reading Group Report for The Fifth Season

    Our May reading group book was The Fifth Season (2015) by N. K. Jemisin, which we discussed over Zoom on Monday 4th May from around 7 until 8.30 pm. As with […]


  • LSFRC Work in Progress 2 (Zoom Edition)

    On the 11th April we’ll be holding our second Work in Progress event! The idea behind these sessions is to provide a space where people can share their work without […]


  • Reading Group Report for Dirty Computer

    The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic across the world has been of grave concern for all. The tragic loss of life, the strain to the health-service, the anxiety caused by […]


  • Reading Group Report for Broken Stars

    Due to the ongoing industrial action in higher education, our March meet up took a slightly unusual form. We meet every month at Birkbeck, University of London. Currently, staff at […]


  • Reading Group Report for Space is the Place

    On Monday 6th of January we met at Birkbeck, Gordon Square, to watch and discuss Space is the Place (1974) by Sun Ra. Due to unforeseen technical difficulties we moved from […]


  • Reading Group Report for Brown Girl in the Ring

    On Tuesday the 2nd of December we met at Birkbeck, Gordon Square, to discuss Brown Girl in the Ring (1998) by Nalo Hopkinson. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic […]


  • Reading Group Schedule for Beyond Borders

    We are pleased to announce our monthly reading group schedule for this year’s theme of Beyond Borders. The texts and films below received the highest votes from past and prospective […]


  • Work In Progress Day November 2019

    We are pleased to announce our schedule for our first Work in Progress Day, which is taking place on Saturday 23rd of November. The idea is to provide a platform […]


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