The Harvard–Radcliffe Science Fiction Association (HRSFA) is the undergraduate science fiction association at

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

. Founded in 1986, its purpose is to promote

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

(and

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy ...

) and aid in activity of those interested in the genre. HRSFA also co-sponsors the annual Ig Nobel awards and organizes

Vericon Vericon is an annual science fiction convention at Harvard University, organized by the Harvard-Radcliffe Science Fiction Association. Lasting over a three-day weekend, for the first nine years of its existence it took place on the last weekend o ...

, an annual

science fiction convention Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of the speculative fiction genre, science fiction. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expres ...

; and it intermittently publishes ''Fusion'', a speculative-fiction literary magazine. Other events held by HRSFA include the Wyld Hunt, Going of the Hour, and Masquerade Ball. It is sometimes cited as an example of a social organization whose parties and events do not focus upon drinking, and has gained attention for this role as Harvard tries to move towards greater social opportunities for its students.

The Harvard Crimson ''The Harvard Crimson'' is the student newspaper of Harvard University and was founded in 1873. Run entirely by Harvard College undergraduates, it served for many years as the only daily newspaper in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Beginning in the f ...

, 7 April 2005
"Not the Only Way"
/ref> Its alumni network, HRSFANS, organizes reunion events and provides grants to enable undergraduate members to accept internships in the speculative fiction publishing industry.

Notable alumni

Nate Ackerman Nate Ackerman (born March 4, 1978 as Nathanael Leedom Ackerman) is a British-American mathematician and wrestler. He is the son of Peter Ackerman and Joanne Leedom-Ackerman. Ackerman competed in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games as part of the Gre ...

, 2004 Olympic

wrestler Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat sport ...

* Darcy Burner, executive director of the American Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation * Michael A. Burstein, Campbell Award–winning science fiction writer *

Marie Brennan Marie Brennan is the pseudonym of Bryn Neuenschwander, an American fantasy author. Her works include the ''Doppelganger'' duology ('' Doppelganger'' and its sequel '' Warrior and Witch'', respectively retitled ''Warrior'' and ''Witch'' on late ...

, fantasy novelist * Susan Groppi, Editor-in-chief of

Strange Horizons ''Strange Horizons'' is an online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry and nonfiction in every issue, including reviews, essays, interviews, and roundtables. History and profile It was launched in September 2000, and ...

Ada Palmer Ada Palmer (born June 9, 1981) is an American historian and writer and winner of the 2017 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Her first novel ''Too Like the Lightning'' was published in May 2016. The work has been well received by criti ...

, historian and novelist

External links

HRSFA web site

HRSFANS alumni network

References

Science fiction organizations Harvard University 1986 establishments in Massachusetts Organizations established in 1986 {{US-org-stub