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nepfanfic · 2 months ago

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Geek Week – An Event at UFRJ that Achieved Significant Academic Recognition

After a year of meticulous planning, the research groups NEPF, NuPNE, and NUPLIJ — affiliated with the Laboratório da Palavra (Word Lab) and PACC (Advanced Program of Contemporary Culture) — collaborated to organize a week dedicated to geek studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The event, named Geek Week UFRJ, took place from October 21st to 25th, 2024, at the Faculty of Letters, located on the university’s Fundão campus, while also being made available online through Google Meet and Youtube.

The primary objective of Geek Week was to establish a safe and engaging space for intellectual discussions on topics related to pop culture, gaming, young adult and children's literature, and fanfiction. The event encouraged not only the academic research groups to share their perspectives but also provided an open forum for attendees to actively engage in discourse about widely consumed cultural phenomena.

Given that the subjects addressed during the event’s panels and discussion sessions are not traditionally explored within academic research, Geek Week served as a crucial platform to highlight the significance of both formal and informal studies on pop culture. The participating research groups assumed the responsibility of documenting and disseminating their insights, combining their academic investigations with their experiences as enthusiasts and fans to foster deeper academic interest in these emerging fields.

Event Structure and Highlights

Each day of the event focused on a distinct thematic approach:

Day 1 – Theoretical Frameworks in Popular Literature

The first day was dedicated to theoretical discussions surrounding popular literature. A key highlight was the lecture "There Are No Ostriches in Fairy Tales" by Professor Francisco Câmelo, which provided an in-depth analysis of children’s literature and fairy tales from their origins to contemporary adaptations. The discussion explored how specific animal symbolism is employed in storytelling, emphasizing the absence of ostriches in fairy tale traditions while examining the inclusion of other bird species in these narratives.

Day 2 – Fandom Culture and Community Interpretations

The second day revolved around fandom studies, encompassing diverse fan communities. One of the most notable sessions was a lecture on the Furry fandom, led by Letícia Pimenta, General Coordinator and Administrator of NEPF. This presentation delved into the origins of the Furry community, the various ways it is interpreted, and the stereotypes and prejudices associated with it. Additionally, the lecture provided an overview of different Furry subcultures, offering a nuanced perspective on their development and representation in mainstream media.

Day 3 – Gender, Sexuality, and Representation in Media

With a focus on gender and sexuality, the third day of the event explored their portrayal in literature, gaming, and K-pop. One of the most thought-provoking panels was "Chapter 21: Sex, Fantasy, and Young Readers", presented by NUPLIJ and NEPF. This session critically analyzed the representation of sexuality in young adult and children's literature, drawing comparisons between different age groups and assessing the societal impact of such narratives on young audiences.

Day 4 – Horror Narratives and Their Literary Evolution

The fourth day examined horror fiction and its narrative techniques across literature and media. Engaging discussions included the role of horror in children’s literature, the construction of suspense in storytelling, and the use of zombies as a narrative trope. This segment of the event provided valuable insights into how horror elements are adapted across different literary forms and how they resonate with audiences.

Day 5 – Creative Workshops: Comics, The Sims, and Fanzines

The final day was dedicated to hands-on creative workshops, offering three distinct sessions:

Comics Workshop, led by NUPLIJ, focusing on visual storytelling techniques.

The Sims Workshop, facilitated by NuPNE, demonstrating narrative-building through simulation games.

Fanzine Workshop, hosted by NEPF, guiding participants through fanzine creation and self-publishing techniques.

These workshops were well-received, allowing students to explore their creativity and apply artistic and narrative-building skills. The fanzines produced during the event can be accessed online through a dedicated NEPF publication platform.

Impact and Academic Recognition

Geek Week UFRJ garnered significant engagement from both in-person and online audiences. Throughout the virtual sessions, over 50 participants attended simultaneously, actively engaging in discussions. Additionally, the total number of lecture views, including both live and recorded sessions, surpassed 1,000 views, marking an important milestone in legitimizing pop culture studies in Brazil. The lectures can be accessed through NEPF's Youtube channel.

The event also received official recognition from UFRJ, with the university dispatching reporters to cover the first day of discussions. Their coverage, published through Conexão UFRJ, emphasized the event’s commitment to inclusivity, academic dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas.

A Commitment to Pop Culture Studies

NEPF firmly believes in the necessity of fostering spaces for knowledge exchange. Our mission is to bridge contemporary interests with academic and theoretical studies, ensuring that discussions on fandoms, literature, and digital culture receive the scholarly attention they deserve.

We sincerely hope that all participants felt welcomed and respected throughout the event, as our primary goal is to create an inclusive and enriching academic environment. This is only the beginning—more events will follow, as fandom culture continues to evolve, and pop culture remains in constant motion.

#nepf #nepfufrj #fanstudies #fandom #fanfic #fanfiction #ao3 #GeekWeekEN

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