From the SFRA Executive Committee
From the Vice President
Chris Pak
It has been a bewildering year. Watching developments in the US from afar throws into relief just how far the norms and expectations that some regarded as stable can be overturned in an incredibly short time. Last month the UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of biological sex in the UK’s 2010 Equality Act likewise disrupts patterns and norms that have been developing over decades, the repercussions of which are yet to unfold. Given these circumstances, it’s hard to think what the next four years will bring.
It’s in this context that the SFRA 2025 conference at Rochester, New York, draws ever closer. The chance to meet as an organisation to think through the challenges that we as a community of scholars, teachers and practitioners face is crucial, now and in the future. To that end, I will be organising a “Vision and Support” panel to bring us together to hear from you about the challenges that you’re facing now or which you might be anticipating, as well as to collectively think about how best we might respond as an organisation to the multiple crises brought about by the current US administration. I would also encourage you to attend, if possible, the SFRA Business meeting. This is a great way to understand how the organisation works and to contribute to shaping how it will develop in the future.
For those of you who are attending the conference in person, especially from abroad, good luck, and I have no doubt that the event itself will be rewarding as always. I unfortunately will not be able to attend this year’s conference but will be available at the Vision and Support session as well as via email, as always.
SFRA Review 