Worldcon (World Science Fiction Convention) Research
Worldcon (World Science Fiction Convention) Research
For several years I've worked on research into the history, structure and organization of Worldcon (the World Science Fiction Convention*). I attended Anticipation/Worldcon 2009 in Montreal. While there I met many of the people who have been active in attending and organizing the Worldcons that have been held since 1939. In addition to the survey of attendees at 2009, 2010 and 2011 Worldcons I've also interacted with long-time attendees and organizers of the convention. If you have attended or helped to organize a previous Worldcon and would like to help me with this research please contact me at the e-mail address above.
Call for documents & info from past Worldcons- This project is not as active as it was in the past, but I'm still seeking help from past Worldcon attendees and organizers. I'm trying to locate programmes from all of the Worldcon conventions up to the present. The cons for which I still do not have a copy of a programme are listed HERE I'm also interested in minutes of business meetings, and similar documentation of bid and con committees. One element of Worldcon history that interests me is the geographic origins of participants. I'm looking for previous Progress Reports that indicate how many members are coming from what areas of the world to attend that particular Worldcon. This documentation will be valuable in analyzing the history, structure and organization of Worldcon over time.
I continue to attend Worldcon as a particpant observer when I am able to travel to the convention. While this research is not currently active, I do someday hope to get back to work on this topic.