CRSF: The Next Generation

Current Research in Speculative Fiction was created back in 2011 on the premise that it would be a conference designed and executed by postgraduates, for postgraduates. It is therefore appropriate that the time has come for a changing of the guard as the current team of organisers have reached the point where we are stretching the limits of that mantra. Each of us (myself, Molly Cobb, Leimar Garcia-Siino, Chris Pak) have completed our PhDs and some have even graduated, it's time for a new generation of SF scholars to step forward and take up the reigns.

And step forward they have. Beata Gubacsi, Laura Borden, Matthew McCall, and Tom Kewin are all current PhD students are the University of Liverpool pursuing varied and exciting research. Their bios have been added to the CRSF Team page here so please take a moment to read about their research and interests.

Since this is the first full scale changing of personnel the conference has undertaken, and since it involves my own stepping away as the initiator of the conference, a decision was made for the committee-that-was to take on new roles as an "executive committee", the intention being that we're here if the new guard need some advice, run into any problems, or need someone to talk to. The new organisers also don't have the mixed blessing of a part-time PhD student who is going to be a constant presence for seven years (hi!) which means that going forwards these changes of personnel are likely to become more regular, the executive committee will continue to advise and aid postgraduates in these transitions, hopefully ensuring some stability and helping the conference continue for many more years.

And continue it can. If my six years of running this conference have taught me anything its that there is an amazing depth and breadth of research being carried out in speculative fiction across the UK, and further afield. Over the years a great many scholars have come to this conference and many are now pursuing further research and teaching roles in new institutions, for many CRSF has become a highlight of the calendar and I like to think it's played an important part in creating a community for a generation of SF scholars. Long may that continue.

I have every confidence in the new team, they're a great bunch of postgrads and they understand the philosophy behind CRSF; not just by postgrads for postgrads, but also that it should be a welcoming and safe atmosphere which demands quality presentations but is also the perfect place for someone to give their first conference paper and forge connections with peers which could shape their career. Beata, Laura, Matt, and Tom get that and I am completely relaxed (perhaps too relaxed - given the time it's taken me to make this post) about the future of the Current Research in Speculative Fiction conference.

They'll be releasing a call for papers for 2017's conference very soon, and so the next post you read will be by someone else, so for now please join me in welcoming the new committee: the next generation.

Thank you and good luck,

Glyn Morgan