Harvard-Radcliffe Science Fiction Association
Encyclopedia
The Harvard–Radcliffe Science Fiction Association (HRSFA) is a society based in Cambridge
, Massachusetts
. Founded in 1986, its purpose is to promote science fiction
(and fantasy
) and aid in activity of those interested in the genre. Membership is open to current and former students at Harvard University
. HRSFA also co-sponsors the annual Ig Nobel awards and organizes Vericon
, an annual science fiction convention
; 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.
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Founded in 1986, its purpose is to promote science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
(and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
) and aid in activity of those interested in the genre. Membership is open to current and former students at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. HRSFA also co-sponsors the annual Ig Nobel awards and organizes Vericon
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 of January; for 2010, however, it was moved to...
, an annual science fiction convention
Science fiction convention
Science fiction conventions are gatherings of fans of various forms of speculative fiction including science fiction and fantasy. Historically, science fiction conventions had focused primarily on literature, but the purview of many extends to such other avenues of expression as movies and...
; 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.
Notable alumni
- Nate AckermanNate AckermanNate Ackerman is a British-American wrestler. He is the son of Peter Ackerman.Ackerman competed in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games as part of the Great Britain National Team. He also competed in the 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005 World Championships...
, 2004 Olympic wrestlerWrestlingWrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position... - Darcy BurnerDarcy BurnerDarcy Gibbons Burner is a Democrat from Carnation, Washington. She was a candidate for in 2006 and 2008, but lost to incumbent Dave Reichert in both elections. She worked for twelve years in high technology including five years at Microsoft as a Marketing Manager, working on .NET...
, executive director of the American Progressive Caucus Policy Foundation - Michael A. BursteinMichael A. BursteinMichael A. Burstein is an American writer of science fiction. He was born in New York City, and grew up in the neighborhood of Forest Hills in the borough of Queens. He attended Hunter College High School in Manhattan...
, Campbell Award–winning science fiction writer - Marie BrennanMarie BrennanMarie Brennan is the pseudonym of Bryn Neuenschwander, an American fantasy author. Her works include Doppelganger, its sequel Warrior and Witch, and numerous short stories. Her third novel, Midnight Never Come, was published on 1 May 2008 in the United Kingdom, and 1 June 2008 in the USA. It...
, fantasy novelist - Susan Groppi, Editor-in-chief of Strange HorizonsStrange HorizonsStrange Horizons is an online speculative fiction magazine. It also features speculative poetry in every issue....