The first conference of its kind in the world, ‘Buffy and the Bible’ will bring together scholars from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives to investigate the contribution which religion and the Bible makes to the construction of the Buffyverse and its reception.
One of the most widely analysed texts in contemporary popular culture, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) has given rise to new understandings of the relationship between religion and popular culture. As well as investigating these connections, this conference will use Buffy as a case study to interrogate interdisciplinary methodologies and frameworks for studying the relationship between religion and popular culture.
The conference will be held from 4-5 July 2019 in the highly appropriate Gothic deconsecrated St. George’s Church and 38 Mappin St.
Professor Matthew Pateman (Edge Hill University) will deliver the keynote address: “Contrary to popular mythology”: Atheism, humanism and the myth of religion in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
As well as a full programme of exciting talks and presentations, the conference will feature a special sing-a-long screening of the groundbreaking musical episode 'Once More with Feeling' on the evening of 4 July. This screening will be accompanied by a discussion led by the conference organisers and a drinks reception. Conference tickets will include access to this event, but individual tickets for the screening only are also available.
The conference is open to researchers at any level (including undergraduates, postgraduates, early career researchers and independent scholars) and from any discipline. Book your place.
‘Buffy and the Bible’ is being co-organised by the Sheffield Institute for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies (SIIBS) and Sheffield Gothic, of the School of English. The researchers involved are Emma Nagouse, Mary Going, Holly Dan, Kelly Richards D'Arcy-Reed, Naomi Hetherington, Dana Alex and Ash Darrow.