Sci-Fi and Fantasy concepts learned at Dragon Con applied in research

Dr. Mary Magoulick, professor of English, is a scholar and teacher of science fiction and fantasy, aka speculative fiction. Her first book, “The Goddess Myth in Contemporary Literature and Popular Culture,” was published by University Press of Mississippi in 2022 and her current manuscript, “The Way of the Witch,” may soon get published. Dragon Con has helped her with her research, as has her teaching at Georgia College & State University. 

Magoulick has been attending Dragon Con since 2018. The event was held in downtown Atlanta during Labor Day Weekend. Five hotels plus multiple other buildings hosted the event that drew in over 75,000 attendees. 

At Dragon Con, there are hundreds of panels and countless activities, options and tracks including Trek, Star Wars, Brit, High Fantasy and Science. The biggest draws feature famous actors, writers, etc., especially of popular television series, films, video games, etc.

“At my first con I realized how helpful some panels can be to my research and teaching, like hearing authors read from their work and answer questions, gaining insight and learning trivia about films and shows I teach,” Magoulick said. “I talkwith other scholars and fans of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, discover new works and deepen my understanding of what these genres and stories mean, how they reflect our world, life and concerns.” 

Dragon Con has become a rich culture of its own with unique traditions, rituals, forms of play, fandoms and scholarship, which explains its appeal. Everyone can have a different con experience.

Magoulick and Dr. Jennifer Flaherty, professor of English and literature coordinator at GCSU, presented in the Science Fiction Literature Track at the academic conference. Their focus was on the impact and legacy of speculative fiction writer Octavia Butler. 

Panels featured a wide variety of topics including vaccine updates, improv, author signings and academic panels on which Magoulick and other faculty have presented. She often attends panels that explain Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Magoulick especially enjoyed a panel where the moderator read funny plotlines, and the audience had to guess if it was a plot from a Jane Austen novel or a ‘Florida Man’ story.

“Sometimes it was hard to tell,” she said. “It was really fun.”  

One of her favorite cosplays was a woman in a wheelchair who cosplayed Lady Olenna Tyrell, the ‘Queen of Thorns,’ from the “Game of Thrones” television series. She carried a sign that read, ‘It was me!’ She was happy to talk with Magoulick and have her picture taken.

“I always learn something about books, TV series, fantasy worlds and the real world, including how creative and caring people can be,” she said. “I often share a few special moments with good friends, volunteers, hotel workers and GCSU alumni. It’s a delight when they stop to chat.”  

Year after year, the vibe of Dragon Con is positive. 

“People want to learn, share, experience that uplifting, special feeling and celebrate human creativity,” Magoulick said.