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

Harvard University Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...

. Founded in 1986, its purpose is to promote

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

(and

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural or Magic (supernatural), magical elements, often including Fictional universe, imaginary places and Legendary creature, creatures. The genre's roots lie in oral traditions, ...

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

Ig Nobel awards The Ig Nobel Prize () is a satirical prize awarded annually since 1991 to promote public engagement with scientific research. Its aim is to "honor achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think." The name of the award is a ...

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 ...

, an annual

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

; 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 at Harvard University, an Ivy League university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. The newspaper was founded in 1873, and is run entirely by Harvard College undergraduate students. His ...

, 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 Nathanael Leedom Ackerman (born March 4, 1978), known as Nate 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 ...

2004 Olympic The 2004 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad (), and officially branded as Athens 2004 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 13 to 29 August 2004 in Athens, Greece. The Games saw 10,625 athletes ...

wrestler Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves diffe ...

Darcy Burner Darcy Gibbons Burner (born November 12, 1970) is an American businesswoman and politician and a member of the Democratic Party from Carnation, Washington. Early life, education, and family Burner was adopted at birth in Alaska and grew up in a ...

, 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''); the ''Onyx Court'' series; the ''Memoirs of Lady Trent' ...

, fantasy novelist *

Ada Palmer Ada Palmer (born June 9, 1981) is an American historian and writer and winner of the 2017 Astounding Award for Best New Writer, John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Her first novel, ''Too Like the Lightning'', was published in May 2016. T ...

, historian and novelist

External links

HRSFA web site

HRSFANS alumni network

References

Science fiction organizations Harvard University 1986 establishments in Massachusetts Student organizations established in 1986 {{sf-org-stub