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Always Halloween and Never Thanksgiving

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Star Trek-Related Call for Papers

Star Trek-Related Call for Papers Call for Book Chapters: “Beyond the Next Star: The Importance of Failure in Star Trek"  ALT The editors of Second Star to the Right: Essays on Leadership in Star Trek (Vernon Press), Jason A. Kaufman and Aaron M. Peterson, invite book chapter proposals for a forthcoming edited volume tentatively titled Beyond the Next Star: The Importance of Failure in Star Trek. Star Trek provides an opportunity to explore the final frontier of leadership through six decades of series and films. With its basis in Enlightenment thinking (reason coupled to compassion) and its encouragement of diversity in its myriad threads, Star Trek offers guidance on how to improve the human condition that has application to any academic and professional field. Importantly, Star Trek also offers numerous examples of how individuals in roles of leadership large and small are able to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of failure. Failure is a part of life, an experience all too common to anyone who has achieved a modicum of success. While some people never learn from failure and others seek to avoid it altogether, Star Trek offers myriad examples large and small of how moments of failure can lead to personal development, professional success, and even galactic salvation. Of course, sometimes failure is just that, a cessation of progress. However, even in these moments, failure can still be a poignant teacher. This edited volume will explore the application of Star Trek to moving forward from failure across a diverse array of fields and perspectives. We seek chapters from leaders, scientists, educators, professionals, writers, and others, whether their expertise is drawn from boardroom, lab, classroom, field, or page. Our goal is to utilize the wealth of canon to inform business, law, politics, ethics, peace studies, conflict management, academic leadership, religious studies, literary and textual analysis, and beyond. By acknowledging the realities of failure, our goal is to make the world a better place. We seek chapter proposals focused not on a single character, but instead on a situation portrayed in a specific scene, episode, or film that depicts failure and how it was navigated positively or negatively. Chapter proposals should be academically rigorous yet accessible to an informed non-academic audience. We want you to write to inform practice in your field using Star Trek as the background of the discussion, not the focus. Similarly, please do not utilize your own failures as examples. Humor and honesty are always appreciated. Chapter proposal submission Please submit an abstract no longer than 300 words to volume editors Jason A. Kaufman (jason.kaufman@mnsu.edu) and Aaron M. Peterson (aaron.peterson@converse.edu) by February 27, 2026. The abstract should include a clear overview of the main focus of the chapter. In addition, please include a brief bio of 100 words or fewer for the author(s). Co-authored proposals are welcome, but please limit submissions to two per author. Finally, please begin your email heading with “NEXT STAR:” when you submit the proposal for review. Now…hit it! Deadlines Proposal submission deadline: February 27, 2026 Acceptance of proposal sent out: March 27, 2026 Chapter submission: September 8, 2026 (Star Trek Day)
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Rebellions are built on hope - in SPACE!

Here are the details of the new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) that I’ll be offering for Signum University in Spring 2026. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026 - Only 1 seat left!) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here).
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Dark Academia in SPACE!

Now confirmed! I am delighted to report that in Spring 2026, I’ll be offering two standalone (but related) modules with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University. Each focuses on an important novel related to the same real-life, true-crime unsolved case. March 2026: Last Seen Wearing by Hillary Waugh: Discovering a Turning Point in Crime Fiction May 2026: The Secret History by Donna Tartt: Unpacking the “Whydunit” Mystery
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Feminist Utopian Thought

On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 772), I discuss early feminist science fictional utopias and focus on A Few Hours in a Far-Off Age (1883) by Henrietta Dugdale. Listen here!
ALTALT
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Star Wars and Resistance

My half-hour talk “Star Wars and Resistance” is now on YouTube as part of the SPACE Showcase. My talk kicks in around 11 minutes into the Showcase. This talk is a “sneak peek” into my new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) for Signum University in Spring 2026.
The Signum University Webathon 2025!: SPACE Showcase And here are the details of my Spring Star Wars modules. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here).
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Rebellions Are Built on Hope

I’m delighted to share that I will be teaching a new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) for Signum University in Spring 2026. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here).
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Headed to SPACE in Spring 2026!

I’m delighted to share that I will be teaching a new three-part online module for SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) for Signum University in Spring 2026. Rebellions Are Built On Hope: A Star Wars Series Over nearly half a century of storytelling, Star Wars has challenged audiences to find their own agency and power in the face of injustice and tyranny. The Star Wars works Andor (2022, 2025), Rogue One (2016), and A New Hope (1977) fit together to provide a story of resistance, resilience, and rebellion built on a deep engagement with history, philosophy, and political thought. Join Dr. Amy H. Sturgis as we consider how Star Wars wrestles with big ideas, invites conversation and action, and inspires hope in unprecedented times.

This SPACE series consists of three hybrid modules: Module 1 (Feb. 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 1 (more info here); Module 2 (March 2026) covers the series Andor, Season 2 (more info here); and Module 3 (April 2026) covers the films Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (more info here). Get your votes in now if you’d like your availability to be considered while we schedule these modules. I hope to see you in that galaxy far, far away! ALT
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News!

I’m tickled to share that my paper “Star Trek’s Son of the Royal Navy: Malcolm Reed’s Subversive Voyage in Space, Then and Now” has been accepted for NavyCon 2025, a conference sponsored by the Center for International Maritime Security, King’s College, and the Naval War College. The theme is “The Influence of Navies on Science Fiction, NASA, and the Future of Space,” and the event will be held online on December 6. 🖖 In other news, Happy October! 🎃 On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 766), I praise the Dracula “group read” experience. Here is the episode. ALT
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“The Liar” by Darcie Little Badger

I’m delighted to say that my narration of “The Liar” by the brilliant Darcie Little Badger is now available on Episode 651 of the Cast of Wonders podcast. ALT Cast of Wonders 651: The Liar | Cast of Wonders
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It’s almost time for The Hunger Games!

You’re invited to join me in SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University to talk about all five books in The Hunger Games series! The first module has been confirmed to run in September 2025. What lessons do the Capitol and Districts have to teach us? What warnings should we heed? What road leads from here to Panem? Over the course of five months, participants in these SPACE modules will read and discuss a modern classic of dystopian storytelling, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. In this hybrid series, each week will include one lecture and one live discussion. The lectures will examine the inspirations behind, allusions in, and questions posed by that month’s novel. In live discussions, participants will share their insights on, interpretations of, and reactions to the story. Together we will consider why this series has spoken to so many readers and explore how its messages remain relevant today. Here is more information.
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Timey-Wimey

On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 762), I talk about Doctor Who, history, time travel, and the new Who novel Shirley Jackson and the Chaos Box by Kalynn Bayron. StarShipSofa 762 Gustavo Bondini
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“Exploring Star Trek” in Fall 2025

“Exploring Star Trek” in Fall 2025 I’m excited to say that in Fall 2025 I will be offering the 12-week online class “Exploring Star Trek” for M.A. students and non-degree-seeking auditors alike at Signum University. I’m delighted to be teaching this course once again! Exploring Star Trek - Signum University
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Join me in Panem starting in September 2025!

Signum University — Blackberry Join me in SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University! What lessons do the Capitol and Districts have to teach us? What warnings should we heed? What road leads from here to Panem? Over the course of five months, participants in these SPACE modules will read and discuss a modern classic of dystopian storytelling, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. In this hybrid series, each week will include one lecture and one live discussion. The lectures will examine the inspirations behind, allusions in, and questions posed by that month’s novel. In live discussions, participants will share their insights on, interpretations of, and reactions to the story. Together we will consider why this series has spoken to so many readers and explore how its messages remain relevant today.
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On Edge!

StarShipSofa 760 Libby Cudmore On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa (Episode 760), I discuss Ashley Lawson’s new book On Edge: Gender and Genre in the Work of Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith, and Leigh Brackett.
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Help launch Hangsaman!

My “Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson: Exploring a Gothic Campus Mystery” one-month module with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University is currently “on the launchpad” for potential launch in the autumn of 2025. Here is the official description: “Shirley Jackson is rightly celebrated as a master of Gothic storytelling thanks to her most well-known novels such as The Haunting of Hill House (1959) and We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1962). In recent years, however, her earlier novel Hangsaman (1951) has received new attention and critical appreciation from fans and scholars alike.

"Far ahead of its time when it was published, Jackson’s deeply personal Hangsaman is many things: a psychological study of a young woman’s coming of age; a haunting Gothic mystery; a pointed critique of gender roles, family dynamics, and higher education; a meditation on trauma and mental illness; and an ancestor of today’s dark academia storytelling. Shirley Jackson drew inspiration from a variety of sources to craft this remarkable campus novel, from folk ballads and the Tarot, myth and ritual, to a real college campus and an unsolved New England cold case of a missing sophomore student.

"In this module, we will unpack this gem of a Gothic story, following freshman Natalie Waite as she searches for her “essential self” and discussing why Hangsaman feels freshly relevant and important to many readers today.” Here is more information on the Hangsaman module. To help launch this module, please go here, log in, and put this module on your launchpad short-list. Thanks!
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Will you join me in Panem?

My “The Hunger Games” module with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University is currently a candidate for September 2025. This is a proposed first module of five, one for each of the five Hunger Games novels by Suzanne Collins. Each week will include one recorded lecture and one live discussion section. Voting runs through August 1. I hope you will join us as we explore the lessons we may learn from Panem. May the odds be ever in our favor! More information is here.
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My latest “Looking Back on Genre History”

StarShipSofa 758 Pedro Iniguez On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa (Episode 758), I discuss science fiction, nuclear weapons, and the ongoing relevance of the classic Level 7 by Mordecai Roshwald.
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Join me in June 2025!

June is almost here! Next month I will be offering my month-long “Meet The Last Man” module with SPACE (Signum Portals for Adult Continuing Education) online via Signum University. Mary Shelley’s novel is one of the most relevant books we can read right now, and I can’t wait to discuss it with students! Watch the teaser here: More information is available here. ALT
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New “Looking Back on Genre History”

On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 756), I discuss two pioneering dystopian novels published fifty years apart, works with much to say to each other and to us in 2025. Here is the link!
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New “Looking Back on Genre History”

On my latest “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the StarShipSofa podcast (Episode 754), I discuss (in a spoiler-free way!) Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, intellectual history, and genre references. Here is the link! ALT ALT ALT
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“In particular, the researchers focused on a concept called ‘identification with all humanity.’ This…

Science fiction may help foster a sense of global solidarity by evoking awe, study finds “In particular, the researchers focused on a concept called ‘identification with all humanity.’ This refers to how much individuals feel connected to all people, regardless of nationality, race, or background. It reflects a broad, inclusive identity that supports concern for others around the globe. Previous studies have linked this identification to prosocial behaviors such as donating to international causes, supporting refugees, and caring about the environment. The authors theorized that science fiction, with its imaginative worlds and frequent focus on humanity’s shared future, might encourage people to adopt this global perspective.”
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