Preliminary call for papers – Science and Academic Stream

Nikky WinchesterKnown Issues, News2 Comments on 2s

Call for Papers

Paper, Panel and Round Table proposals are invited for the CoNZealand 2020 Science and Academic Stream, an academic convention traditionally included as part of the annual World Science Fiction Convention.

Contributions are sought for a multidisciplinary academic program that will engage audiences, including not only fellow academics but also many of the world’s top science fiction authors and a well-educated and highly engaged public. In addition to traditional academic research that engages science fiction as a subject of study, scholars are encouraged to present research on or about any academic or scientific subject that is likely to engage the imagination of this eclectic and forward-thinking audience.

Potential contributors should note that science fiction explores all aspects of the future of humanity, and academic presentations on the social sciences, humanities and the arts have historically been as popular as those on science and science-related topics.

Paper Proposals should include the title, a description of no more than 25 words, author affiliation and contact information, an abstract of no more than 250 words, and bibliographic information on three or four of the author’s recent and relevant publications.

Panel Proposals should include paper proposals from all authors, a description of the expertise or relevant backgrounds of discussants if any are included, a description of no more than 25 words of the panel, and an overview of no more than 100 words of the panel.

Round Table Proposals and persons wishing to write and present a paper engaging the theme of Science Fiction in 2020 should contact the Academic Stream Head.

All proposals received before 1 February 2020 will be given full consideration. Proposals received after the deadline will only be considered if space allows. Preliminary acceptances can be offered to persons who need confirmation of program inclusion prior to 1 April 2020. Please clearly indicate if this is the case. Some conditions, such as payment of the conference membership, may apply.

Please send all proposals, queries or questions to Dr. Douglas A. Van Belle at: conzealand.academic@vuw.ac.nz

2019 Hugo Award Finalists Announced!

Norman CatesNews, Past Issues

The 2019 Hugo Award Finalists have been announced by Dublin 2019. You can find the full list at the Dublin 2019 Hugo Award Announcement.

The CoNZealand crew congratulate all the finalists.

The 1944 Retro Hugo Awards will be presented on Thursday 15 August, the opening night of Dublin 2019: An Irish Worldcon, and the 2019 HugoAwards will be presented on 18 August.

The Hugo Awards are the most prestigious award in the science fiction genre, honouring literature and media as well as fan activities. The awards were first presented in 1953, and have been presented every year since 1955. The 2020 Hugo Awards will be presented in Wellington, New Zealand, as part of CoNZealand.

 

Kia Kaha, Christchurch, and New Zealand

Norman CatesNews

Kia Ora,

It is with sad hearts that we write this message today.
On Friday we witnessed, as the Prime Minister put it, one of New Zealand’s darkest days. The attack on the Christchurch Muslim community was a terrorist act. It was horrific and has shaken our country to the core.
Our deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, Christchurch’s Muslim communities and everyone who was affected by this tragedy.
Please look after yourselves and each other. Seek out support if you, or someone you know, needs it. We will make ourselves available if you want to talk, or in New Zealand, you can call or text 1737 anytime, day or night, to talk to a trained counsellor. This service is part of the National Telehealth Service.
There are a number of funds set up to help the victims, and we list a few below.

https://www.launchgood.com/christchurch
The Launchgood campaign is on a Muslim-owned platform, and is Muslim initiated.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/christchurch-shooting-victims-fund

Kia Kaha is a Māori phrase encouraging strength or confidence, and often translated as “Stay Strong”.

And so we say:

Kia Kaha – Stay Strong, and as-salamu alaykum – Peace be Upon You.

In sorrow,
Kelly Buehler & Norman Cates

Co-Chairs of CoNZealand

New Members Site

New Membership Site is here!

Norman CatesNews, Urgent Issues

We have now released our new Membership site.

Our new system includes some new features.

  • New accounts have been created for Pre-supporting Members;
  • Membership upgrades are available for Pre-supporting Members;
  • Lay-by instalment payments are available for the purchase of new Memberships and to upgrade existing Memberships;
  • Existing membership numbers from our current online system were increased by 2000. So if you are member #19, you became member #2019. Because it’s the future.
  • New fields were added to the form to give people registering online the same options as those who registered on the paper form.

Please check:

  • If you have not been able to EXPLICITLY tell us that you want to be listed on the website, or have your information passed forward to future Worldcons, then your settings will be set to NOT be listed online or in paper publications. And your details will NOT be passed forward to future Worldcons.
  • PLEASE log in and check your settings are as you wish them to be, otherwise you may miss out on exercising your rights to nominate in the Hugo Awards in the 2021 Worldcon.

Some things have stayed the same. Things that did not change include:

  • Where relevant, Stripe Payment IDs will remain unchanged. Your receipt will still trace back from your bank statement.
  • Although the website looks slightly different, all of your personal information should remain unchanged. Please contact us if this isn’t the case.

Thank you for your patience through this process, we know it has taken longer than expected, and in recognition of that, our pricing will remain at the initial rate until at least April 30th, 2019.

Our final Worldcon appearance will be at Dublin 2019.

And that’s why we synchronised our new website release to March 17th, St Patricks Day…