Academic Symposium On Pop Star Taylor Swift Will Be Held In Australia

The country will host the first-ever global academic conference on Taylor Swift's influence.

The "Swiftposium" will examine the impact the megastar has had outside the music business, including on popular culture and the economy.

Participants are expected to come from all around the Asia-Pacific area for the three-day conference.

Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour stops in Australia the same week the festival is scheduled to begin.

Swift, who rose to fame as a teenager, has often been at the centre of major cultural events and discussions. The 33-year-old has sparked debates about sexism, cancel culture, streaming royalties, and music copyright on her way to becoming one of the richest and most popular musicians of history.

As a result of Swift's current Eras Tour, ticketing systems crashed, analysts have invented the term "Swiftonomics," and some states have hurried to pass new legislation. So, although the concept for the event may have begun with a jokey tweet earlier this year, it has already gained the support of seven institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Swiftposium organizer Jennifer Beckett from the University of Melbourne stated that Taylor Swift really does have a very tangible influence internationally, across increasingly important areas, including the status of women in business, entertainment legislation, and the national economy.

Leaders throughout the world, she said, urge her to bring the Eras Tour to their nation for the economic advantages it offers. University courses have been taught on Swift in the United States, but this is the first time a worldwide symposium has been organized to study her impact.

The event's organizers expect that attendees will examine Swift's influence on topics of gender, identity, racism, and intersectionality; the phenomena of Swift's fans; and the "marketing masterclass" delivered by Swift's team. They also emphasize that honest discussion about her reputation and impact is encouraged.

Over the next several months, the organizers will be finalizing the line-up of speakers and developing preparations for a ticketed event that fans may attend. However, they have left a spot open for the starlet to make an appearance if she so chooses.

 

source: bbc.com