Taylor Swift

Swiftie Scholar conference at UFV explores Taylor Swift’s cultural impact

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Three organizers of the Swiftie Scholar conference pose for a photo around a decoration in pastel colours with a large friendship bracelet banner. The friendship bracelet reads “Swiftie Scholar – UFV’s version.”

Swiftie Scholar, an academic conference hosted at UFV on December 5, applied an academic lens to the impact and influence of the mega-star Taylor Swift on the day before her three-night visit to Vancouver. With support from CHASI, the event brought speakers from around the world to share analysis of Swift’s cultural impact with UFV … Read more

CHASIcast 12: Chelsea Klassen on the academic folklore of Taylor Swift

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Photo showing Chelsea Klassen and Dr. Martha Dow speaking into microphones. A quote attributed to Chelsea reads: “Looking at celebrity and controversy, how do we conceptualise the controversy that happened with the VMAs? How do we understand heroes and villains in popular culture? How do we talk about race?” End of quote. Beneath, Chelsea’s titles are listed as “Lead Researcher, Community Health and Social Innovation Hub” and “Sessional Instructor, School of Social Justice and Global Stewardship.”

The new year brings something sweeter than fiction, as the CHASIcast examines the surprisingly academic folklore hidden behind a pop culture juggernaut. Join host Dr. Martha Dow and CHASI’s lead researcher Chelsea Klassen as they tackle the sociological and psychological facets of Taylor Swift’s work, and how her fearless advocacy and engaging relationship with her … Read more