Friday, May 17

Taylor Swift Effect: Academic Conference on ‘Swiftposium’ in Australia

Edited by Hiba Anvar

Taylor Swift, American pop-singer is recognised for her song writing, musical versality, artistic reinventions and influence on the musical industry. She has a massive cultural, economic and musical impact all around the world. Due to her high influence in all the field, Australia have decided to hold a world-first international academic symposium on the impact of Taylor swift.

A three day, ‘Swiftposium’ beginning from 11 to 13 February 2024 will be hosted in the University of Melbourne. The conference will be held few days before Swift brings in her record breaking ‘Eras’ tour to Australia.

Swift’s immense and enduring popularity has prompted conversations about her carefully cultivated relationship with a huge fandom of “Swifties,” her place within pop culture, and the intricacies of intellectual property following her decision to re-record her first six studio albums after her former label sold her master recordings, CNN reports.

According to Rolling Stone Magazine, Taylor Swift has been subject to several University courses at US and now for the first time a global symposium will be organised to discuss her impact on. The event is organised collaboratively by seven scholars from seven universities across Australia and New Zealand.

The organisers also have invited academic researchers from the Asia-pacific region to submit proposals for Swiftposium. On Thursday organisers issued a call for academic papers, with suggested topics such as: “‘When my depression works the graveyard shift’: Mental health discourse and Taylor Swift”, ‘If I was a man, then I’d be The Man’: Taylor Swift, and gender and sexuality”, and “‘This city screams your name’: The impacts of international touring and large events, particularly Taylor Swift, on urban landscapes and the cultural identity of cities.”

The 33-year-old has become one of the highest-earning and most decorated artists of all time. “She’s quite a phenomenon,” Swiftposium organiser Jennifer Beckett from the University of Melbourne told the BBC.

“Taylor Swift really does have a very concrete impact globally, across things that affect all of us,” Dr Beckett said, highlighting her impact on the role of women in industry, entertainment law, and even the economy.

The tickets will be finalised over the coming months,and they have even left a blank space in the line-up for the pop singer herself.

“If Taylor Swift wants to come… I think all of us would have to spend some time picking our jaws up from the ground, but that invitation is definitely there,” Dr Beckett said.

“TayTay if you want to come, we’d love to have you,” he said.