Science Fiction Research Association

The Science Fiction Research Association (SFRA), founded in 1970, is the oldest professional organization for the study of science fiction and fantasy literature and film. Among its international membership are students, teachers, professors, librarians, futurologists, readers, authors, booksellers, editors, publishers, archivists, and scholars in many disciplines. Academic affiliation is not a requirement for membership.

Mission

The SFRA is incorporated in the state of Ohio as a non-profit organization. It intends to be irrevocably dedicated to:

1. educational and beneficial purposes,
2. fostering the common interests of its members in the field of science fiction and fantasy by encouraging new scholarship,
3. furthering excellence in teaching at all levels of instruction,
4. exchanging information among students and scholars throughout the world,
5. improving access to published and unpublished materials,
6. aiding in building library research collections, and
7. promoting the publication of scholarly books and works pertinent to the fields of science fiction and fantasy, especially new books and magazines dealing with fantastic literature and film, teaching methods and materials, and allied media performances.

Meetings and publications

SFRA members receive the association’s quarterly publication SFRA Review (ISSN 1068-395X). The contents include extensive book reviews of both nonfiction and fiction, review articles, listings of new and forthcoming books, letters, SFRA internal affairs, calls for papers, works in progress, and an annual index. Individual issues are not for sale; however, starting with issue #256 (Jan-Feb 2002) all issues are published to SFRA's website no less than ten weeks after paper publication.

The SFRA hosts an annual meeting for scholarship. Meetings have been held in such places as Guelph, Ontario (2003); Skokie, Illinois (2004); and Las Vegas, Nevada (2005).

Awards

The SFRA makes the following awards at its annual general meeting in June:

1. Pilgrim Award - The Pilgrim Award was created in 1970 by the SFRA to honor lifetime contributions to SF and fantasy scholarship. The award was named for J. O. Bailey's pioneering book, Pilgrims through Space and Time.
2. Pioneer Award - The Pioneer Award is given to the writer or writers of the best critical essay-length work of the year. It has been awarded annually since 1990.
3. Clareson Award - The Thomas D. Clareson Award for Distinguished Service is presented for outstanding service activities-promotion of SF teaching and study, editing, reviewing, editorial writing, publishing, organizing meetings, mentoring, and leadership in SF/fantasy organizations. The Clareson Award has been awarded since 1996.
4. Graduate Student Paper Award - The Graduate Student Paper Award is presented to the outstanding scholarly essay read at the annual conference of the SFRA by a graduate student. This award has been presented each year since 1999.
5. Mary Kay Bray Award - The Mary Kay Bray Award is given for the best essay, interview, or extended review to appear in the SFRA Review in a given year, starting in 2002.

Reference and external link

• Official SFRA web site