Profs. @njgina and @MaryChayko presented their research on AI Agents in Digital Culture at the annual conference of the Southwest Popular and American Culture Association (SWPACA), Albuquerque, NM, on Feb. 25, 2026. #SCIExcellence #RUSCI

My 30th SWPACA conference as a presenter, panel moderator, and/or Area Chair. It always recharges my batteries and reminds me of why I became an academic in the first place. #Grateful #ReppingTCC #LiberalArtsMatter

Next week in New Mexico I will be giving a paper on the legacy of the @GratefulDead, counterculture, and the Kennedy Center. Deadheads of the world: What's one word you would use to sum up the legacy of the band? @GratefulKids @RelixMag #SWPACA #GratefulDeadStudies #JFK

Excited to announce that I will be presenting at SWPACA in February! My talk is about porcine imagery and metamorphosis in the Saw franchise and the Odyssey. I’ll be part of their literary and cinematic horror section! 🐖 🐷 🐽

In our first year in Albuquerque, the Taylor Swift and Swiftie Studies area of @SWPACA ended up with 13 presentations! The planets and the fates and all the stars aligned!

Five months into my PhD journey, I had the privilege to author a social science study on the construction of reality in films for the 2024 @AAASmeetings . This was just the beginning of my efforts to give conceptual weight to a hypothetical proposition I had been developing, based on my experiences in film studies and my observations of audiences. At first, the reception wasn’t exactly what I had anticipated, but I didn’t let that deter me. At @SWPACA , I reintroduced my proposition through a new study, this time exploring media depictions of aging and disabilities. Throughout both scholarly forums, I made it a point to draw from existing research to refine my argument, ensuring that this proposition - eventually evolving into a theoretical model - addressed real-world issues, particularly within the context of film studies. One key decision I made early on was to avoid rushing the framework into journal publication. I wanted to be certain that the model could genuinely explain the concept of reality construction in films. By the time I presented it at @CGRNetworks’s #ICCMS24, after refining and critically adjusting the framework, I found that it was met with both praise for its originality and recognition of its relevance, particularly within screen science and audience theory. That moment felt like the right time to submit the work for journal publication, fully prepared for the inevitable critiques from peer reviewers. Moreover, I ensured the model was embedded in a practical film study, submitting it to a top Communication and Media journal. Reading the journal’s response, which affirmed the scholarly significance of my theoretical model and the potential of its argument to support future research in film studies, was deeply gratifying. It was incredibly fulfilling to see my work not only accepted but also recognized as a meaningful theoretical contribution to the field. While I’m still awaiting the official publication of the study, which will formally present the theoretical model, I’ll be so glad to publicly share the argument that shapes it. As I reflect on its development and eventual acceptance in the academic community, I remain open to further scholarly critique and discussion of this initiative. #Research #ScreenScience #TheoreticalModel

@pcaaca @NEPCA01 @RustBeltLab @MPCAACA @AmazingPopPod @MeanwhileATP @Pop_Culture_CB @ThePCSJ @center4popmusic @swpaca @MidwestPCA @FarWestPCA @RollingStone @ACLAorg @BETMusic @MLBSSA @from_years @WestFunkmusic @FunkMusicTV @FunkMusic_TV @FunkMusicNews bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/c…

It’s such a joy to chair the new Taylor Swift and Swiftie studies area of @SWPACA. It’s been a long time coming! Join us to chat about all things @taylorswift13, including @Swifties4Kamala @swifferwins or @swiftalert_13!

💡 ‘Tis the season to meet some new #SWPACA leaders! Up first is Juliette, our ✨ fearless ✨ Area Chairs for #taylorswift & #swiftiestudies! Visit swpaca.org to read more about the development of Swiftie Studies—and consider submitting to #SWPACA25!

I have zero background in classical studies but for 20 years I’ve been attempting to educate myself. Each year I attend a classical studies panel at SWPACA, a pop culture conference. The other panelists are classicists. They never talk like this! Very open-hearted & kind.

I feel so fortunate to be amongst such smart, kind, and cool women!! Loved presenting on Taylor's 5 Stages of Heartbreak playlists for SWPACA's Summer Salon with my fave fellow Swiftie Scholars!! #swpacasalon24 @SWPACA

CFP Medievalisms Area at SWPACA Summer Salon 2024 | MEMOs: memorients.com/events/cfp-me… via @MEMOrients #cfp #popularculture #virtualconference #medievalism

📢 Calling all pop culture fans! Join us for our fully virtual conference, #SWPACASalon24! Head to southwestpca.org to submit your proposal😎 #popculture #acafan #conference #SWPACA

New Paper Alert 🎉 Glad to share that my mixed methods study on the critical analysis of Media Depiction of Aging, presented at the #SWPACA #Albuquerque2024 is published!📊 #research

Que alegria que foi apresentar meu mais recente trabalho na 45° @SWPACA conference e ainda ser premiada por isso! Falei sobre a peça "Além do Rio" de Agostinho Olavo Rodrigues, uma peça que refigura o mito antigo da Medeia no Teatro Experimental do Negro.

Had a great time participating in a roundtable about why physical media (Blu-rays, DVDs, etc.) and their supplemental materials "matter," especially in the area of Horror Studies, at this year's #SWPACA conference. Plus, I delivered a separate talk on drone shots in horror films.

@SWPACA trivia night was a blast! "To the Front, Losers!" took 1st place and are committed to defending their title next year. #swpaca24

Prior to my research presentation tomorrow, I had the opportunity to share some thoughts about my proposed new model of reality construction during the round table discussion on Horror and Apocalypse Studies @SWPACA

Incredible panel today at @SWPACA . One of those special, radical sessions that only happen in New Mexico. #SWPACA #SWPACA24

Dear friends! We touched down at Albuquerque, New Mexico State for yet another research Conference presentation @SWPACA Isn’t this beautiful?😁