October 31 & November 1, 2025   The scope of this conference is deliberately broad with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and many avenues of research possible within Popular Culture Studies. For this conference, “Soap Opera” is being defined within the broadest possible terms to include both daytime and primetime serialized programming, international programs and formats like telenovelas, Internet-based programming, and more. Keynote Speaker: Alan Locher Soap opera fan and long-time publicist for As the World Turns and Guiding Light, Alan Locher, will be the keynote speaker at the conference. Locher has spent the last three decades working in communications and marketing in the film, TV and tourism industries. Special Guest virtual appearances by: Claudia Lamb, an American actress, award-winning journalist, and writer. She is best known for her television work playing Heather Hartman in both Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Forever Fernwood. Constance McCashin, a psychotherapist and former actress, best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner in the CBS primetime soap opera, Knots Landing. Kin Shriner, an actor best known for his portrayal of Scott Baldwin on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its spin-off Port Charles.   This event is free and opten to the public.

The Department of Popular Culture and the School of Cultural and Critical Studies at BGSU are proud to host the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference. The scope of this conference is deliberately broad with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and many avenues of research possible within Popular Culture Studies.  Keynote Speaker: Alan Locher, Publicist Special Guests: Claudia Lamb (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) Tom Lisanti (Author & Film Historian) Constance McCashin (Knots Landing) Louise Shaffer (Writer & Actress) Kin Shriner (General Hospital) This conference is free and open to the public. See the full conference schedule at bgsu.edu/soapscon 

The Department of Popular Culture and the School of Cultural and Critical Studies at BGSU are proud to host the Soap Operas in Popular Culture Conference. The scope of this conference is deliberately broad with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and many avenues of research possible within Popular Culture Studies.  Keynote Speaker: Alan Locher, Publicist Special Guests: Claudia Lamb (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) Tom Lisanti (Author & Film Historian) Constance McCashin (Knots Landing) Louise Shaffer (Writer & Actress) Kin Shriner (General Hospital) This conference is free and open to the public. See the full conference schedule at bgsu.edu/soapscon 

October 31 & November 1, 2025   The scope of this conference is deliberately broad with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and many avenues of research possible within Popular Culture Studies. For this conference, “Soap Opera” is being defined within the broadest possible terms to include both daytime and primetime serialized programming, international programs and formats like telenovelas, Internet-based programming, and more. Keynote Speaker: Alan Locher Soap opera fan and long-time publicist for As the World Turns and Guiding Light, Alan Locher, will be the keynote speaker at the conference. Locher has spent the last three decades working in communications and marketing in the film, TV and tourism industries. Special Guest virtual appearances by: Claudia Lamb, an American actress, award-winning journalist, and writer. She is best known for her television work playing Heather Hartman in both Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and Forever Fernwood. Constance McCashin, a psychotherapist and former actress, best known for her role as Laura Avery Sumner in the CBS primetime soap opera, Knots Landing. Kin Shriner, an actor best known for his portrayal of Scott Baldwin on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its spin-off Port Charles.   This event is free and opten to the public.

Indie Lens Pop-Up, WBGU-PBS, the Department of Popular Culture and the School of Cultural and Critical Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, are proud to announce the Funk Music in Popular Culture Conference. The conference will serve as a celebration and screening of the Independent Lens film "We Want the Funk." Legendary bassist Doug Wimbish will be the keynote speaker and performer at the conference.   The Funk Music in Popular Culture Conference will also provide a space for academics, graduate students, musicians, music industry professionals, music/sound recording retailers, fans and the public to engage in dialogue about topics related to funk music and its cultural influence in popular music, popular culture and beyond. The conference's scope is deliberately broad, with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and the many different avenues of research and creativity related to funk music in popular culture.   Possible topics might include, but are not limited to: Funk Music in Popular Music and Popular Culture Funk Music History, History of Funk Musicians and Funk Musical Groups Funk Music Fans and Funk Podcasts Ohio’s Connection to Funk Music (Dayton, Cincinnati, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus-based groups, fans, and record labels) Michigan’s Connection to Funk Music (Detroit-based funk groups, fans, and record labels) Funk Music in Rap/Hip-Hop, Heavy Metal, Punk, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Country, etc. International Funk Music Groups Funk Music in Film and Television Funk Music in Comics, Cartoons, Art and Album Art Funk Music Fashion Funk Music and Gender, Race, and Class   Call for Papers and Presentations We welcome individual proposals or pre-formed panels that address the themes above. As the conference aims to provide a multitude of perspectives, academic presentations and those from outside the academy are welcome. Individual presentation proposals—papers, music demonstrations or artistic displays—should include a 300-word abstract. Panel or roundtable presentation proposals should include a 300-word abstract for each presenter and a 500-word abstract for the panel or roundtable. Submit proposals as a Microsoft Word document to funkmusic@bgsu.edu with “Funk Music in Popular Culture” in the subject line and include the following information for each presenter: Author’s Name and Title Institutional Affiliation (if applicable) Email Address Presentation Title Abstract Deadline for Submissions is March 2, 2025. Proposal status notifications will be sent no later than March 9, 2025. Registration for the conference is free. Contact Dr. Matthew Donahue or Dr. Angela Nelson at funkmusic@bgsu.edu if you have questions.

Indie Lens Pop-Up, WBGU-PBS, the Department of Popular Culture and the School of Cultural and Critical Studies at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, are proud to announce the Funk Music in Popular Culture Conference. The conference will serve as a celebration and screening of the Independent Lens film "We Want the Funk." Legendary bassist Doug Wimbish will be the keynote speaker and performer at the conference.   The Funk Music in Popular Culture Conference will also provide a space for academics, graduate students, musicians, music industry professionals, music/sound recording retailers, fans and the public to engage in dialogue about topics related to funk music and its cultural influence in popular music, popular culture and beyond. The conference's scope is deliberately broad, with the intention of highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and the many different avenues of research and creativity related to funk music in popular culture.   Possible topics might include, but are not limited to: Funk Music in Popular Music and Popular Culture Funk Music History, History of Funk Musicians and Funk Musical Groups Funk Music Fans and Funk Podcasts Ohio’s Connection to Funk Music (Dayton, Cincinnati, Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus-based groups, fans, and record labels) Michigan’s Connection to Funk Music (Detroit-based funk groups, fans, and record labels) Funk Music in Rap/Hip-Hop, Heavy Metal, Punk, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Country, etc. International Funk Music Groups Funk Music in Film and Television Funk Music in Comics, Cartoons, Art and Album Art Funk Music Fashion Funk Music and Gender, Race, and Class   Call for Papers and Presentations We welcome individual proposals or pre-formed panels that address the themes above. As the conference aims to provide a multitude of perspectives, academic presentations and those from outside the academy are welcome. Individual presentation proposals—papers, music demonstrations or artistic displays—should include a 300-word abstract. Panel or roundtable presentation proposals should include a 300-word abstract for each presenter and a 500-word abstract for the panel or roundtable. Submit proposals as a Microsoft Word document to funkmusic@bgsu.edu with “Funk Music in Popular Culture” in the subject line and include the following information for each presenter: Author’s Name and Title Institutional Affiliation (if applicable) Email Address Presentation Title Abstract Deadline for Submissions is March 2, 2025. Proposal status notifications will be sent no later than March 9, 2025. Registration for the conference is free. Contact Dr. Matthew Donahue or Dr. Angela Nelson at funkmusic@bgsu.edu if you have questions.