[Commlist] CFP: Horror Studies Now

Horror Studies Now: A Major International Conference (28-29 May 2026, 
Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK)


The Horror Studies Research Group at Northumbria University invites 
researchers working in the multidisciplinary field of “Horror Studies” 
to submit abstracts about their research for the 2026 edition of the 
major, in-person, annual conference, Horror Studies Now, taking place on 
28-29 May 2026.


Speakers will each deliver a 15-minute talk about their research, 
followed by extended discussion and questions from the conference 
delegation. We welcome submissions from scholars at any career stage. 
The event is intended to provide a space in which to develop ideas, 
network, and forge collaborations with fellow Horror Studies researchers.


Members of the organising committee are keen to read abstracts which 
address any aspect of the horror genre and popular culture, but are 
especially keen to hear from scholars who explore areas and approaches 
that have not yet been adequately accounted for or represented in the 
field, encompassing (but not limited to):


The diversity of perspectives, identities, and voices that comprise 
Horror Studies and horror production

Independent horror production, alternative histories, and horror 
produced outside of Europe and North America

The field’s methodological richness, including archival approaches, 
audience research, practice-based research, and new theoretical perspectives

The breadth of cultural perspectives that inform Horror Studies and 
horror media

Papers that address horror in all its media forms including games, film, 
comics, music, social media, television, literature, art, and so forth


We seek to foreground scholarly excellence within the field by embracing 
a wide range of approaches, confronting representational biases within 
the canon, highlighting strategies to counter these biases, and 
contributing to a more diverse and inclusive academic landscape. We 
encourage and welcome expressions of interest from members of the global 
majority and people from underrepresented or marginalised groups.


The programme will feature talks and workshops delivered by 
soon-to-be-announced special guests.


The deadline for abstracts (of 250 words) is 23:59 30th January 2026. 
Abstracts should be accompanied by a biographical statement (of 50-100 
words) and submitted at the following link: 
https://forms.office.com/e/eH16H68hsk.


A small fee will be required to attend. All speakers, unless they choose 
to decline, will have their work considered for the Peter Hutchings 
Award for Outstanding Contribution to Horror Studies. The award includes 
a certificate for the winner and a publication (subject to revision) in 
the journal Studies in the Fantastic.


Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their proposal by 27 
February 2026.


Any questions should be directed to (horrorstudies /at/ northumbria.ac.uk)


The Horror Studies Research Group at Northumbria:

Northumbria University is internationally renowned as the home of horror 
scholarship. This research specialism was founded by our late Professor 
Peter Hutchings, and the Horror Studies Research Group formalises 
Northumbria’s concentration of experts in this area. Our core team are 
widely recognised as leaders in this area, publishing field-defining 
monographs, presenting keynote lectures at major conferences, delivering 
talks at numerous European film festivals, holding positions on the 
editorial boards of the field’s primary book series and winning major 
research grants. Our global reputation for research excellence in Horror 
Studies is further proliferated by our many genre-based PhDs and alumni. 
Find out more: http://horrorstudies.com.

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