FAQ
When in doubt, go to the library.
What is HPAC’s connection to Chestnut Hill College?
The Harry Potter Academic Conference emerged from an Interdisciplinary Honors (IDHP) course for undergraduate students at Chestnut Hill College (Philadelphia, PA, USA), developed by Professor McCauley and Dr. Wendling and taught from 2009 to 2012. This IDHP course used the Harry Potter series as an example of Bildungsroman literature to study the often competing influences of science and philosophy/religion on the development of personal truth and meaning. Independent of the course, Chestnut Hill College students formed their own Quidditch team and began to compete in the national arena and to host their own tournament, the Brotherly Love Cup.
The Harry Potter Academic Conference was first held in October 2012 as part of the town of Chestnut Hill’s Harry Potter Weekend to provide an academic outlet for a serious – but always enjoyable – study of the themes in the Potter series. The conference was well attended and presentations were made by area students, faculty, and community members. Since 2012, the conference has grown in size and scope, expanding the boundaries of a “traditional academic conference” and forming lasting relationships among members of the Potter studies community. Post-pandemic, HPAC operates an alternating schedule with in-person years on the Chestnut Hill College campus and odd-numbered years fully online.
What is HPAC’s mission?
The Harry Potter Academic Conference exists to provide an intimate gathering where fans and scholars of all levels are welcome to engage deeply and critically with the Harry Potter series and fandom. It is an interdisciplinary space using open dialogue, community, and scholarly inquiry to study the Potterverse and its cultural impact.
Why do you continue to hold this conference, given the toxicity of the series author and many problematic tropes in the books?
HPAC stands with our fellow Potterverse organizations like MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron in condemning the inhumane, incorrect, and ignorant anti-trans and anti-queer rhetoric of the series author. The ‘toxic author’ is a constant conversation not unique to Potter studies (e.g., Buffy studies, scholars of HP Lovecraft). HPAC supports and respects former Potter fans who have separated themselves from the series due to the author’s stance. HPAC chooses to create a space for what conference regular Dr. Brent Satterly calls “the half-blood fan,” those who identify as queer or otherwise marginalized and feel harmed by the author’s stance but still feel a strong connection to the Potter series. Every conference since 2020 has included discussions of these issues, on queerness in/queering the Potterverse, queering the Potter series, and how scholar-fans can negotiate what has become a difficult space.
Why does HPAC alternate between in-person only and digiHPAC?
The HPAC Board chose the alternating model of digi-HPAC (odd-numbered years) and HPAC@CHC (even-numbered years) to reflect changes in academic landscapes and in the Potter fandom. The alternating schedule also increases the conference’s accessibility to better include those unable to come to Chestnut Hill College. To carry the community spirit throughout the year, HPAC has a Slack workspace perfect for connecting with other attendees, sharing ideas, and more.
Is it okay to submit a presentation even though I’m not a student or a professor?
HPAC is a special space because many of our participants aren’t students or professors. The conversation and community grow richer as those affiliated with universities and those who simply love and think deeply about the series come together to share their thoughts on the Potterverse. If you are nervous about presenting, the HPAC Slack workspace is a great place to seek a second reader or even a co-presenter.
I’m an international participant. What do I need to know?
When submitting your proposal, please indicate that you are an international presenter. Please note that the conference takes place in Eastern Time (GMT-5:00), as the conference is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. If you are in the US but can’t attend the in-person conference, we encourage you to hold onto your paper idea for the next digiHPAC.
I’m a high school student. Are there special submission guidelines for me?
YES! Please see our High School Submission Guidelines and/or contact the Board with questions.
What is needed when I submit a proposal?
Do I have to submit my full presentation before the conference?
Conference proposals are submitted via Google Forms and include author information and a 250-word abstract that explains your presentation and its goals. You do NOT at any point need to submit a full presentation transcript or draft, unless you would like to share it for accessibility purposes. Chestnut Hill College tech can support PowerPoint and online-based slides like Prezi and Google Slides but CANNOT support Keynote (Mac). Speaker FAQ is sent about a week before the conference. For digiHPAC years, presenters are asked to record their presentation for submission a week before the conference. Presentations are shared by video (file transfer information shared about a week before the conference), and Q&A is done live.
What kind of proposals are accepted?
HPAC is a space for scholarship; therefore, we do not accept original fan fiction readings, presentations of fan art, etc. Fan studies papers, however, are regularly part of HPAC. It is a multi- and interdisciplinary conference, featuring papers ranging from close textual criticism to film and music studies to sports theory to chemistry and basically everywhere in between! As long as you have some sort of critical inquiry in mind, it’s probably a worthy HPAC submission. The conference accepts papers on the Potter books, movies, and broader fandom as well as “the Fantastic Beasts series and Cormoran Strike” studies are considered. When in doubt, just contact us; a Board member is happy to answer your questions! HPAC considers multiple presentations from the same presenter, but each submission will be judged on its own merit. In years with lots of submissions, we may have to accept just one, and you may be contacted to indicate which topic you’d like to present on that year.
Is technology available at CHC?
For in-person HPAC years, CHC provides a projector, clicker, a podium with a microphone, and internet/WiFi access. digiHPAC years are conducted via Zoom. digiHPAC presenters are encouraged to set up in a space with a strong Internet connection to facilitate an interruption-free Q&A.
What can I expect from the conference?
Whether at Chestnut Hill or online, the conference takes place over two days, Friday and Saturday, almost always in mid-October. Programming usually goes all day both days (about 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time), with a midday break. Two sessions run concurrently, except for special or invited sessions and the plenary speaker. In-person years include refreshments during breaks and will sometimes include craft vendors, live music, and after-conference gatherings. Attendees frequently organize group dinners or outings outside conference hours. Lunch is available for purchase (pre-order only) at in-person HPACs. There are often books and crafts for sale, payable by cash or Venmo. The digiHPAC years, conducted via Zoom, usually include a “toast”/conference wrap-up session after the conference concludes on Day 2.
Is financial support available to participants?
We are a very small, non-profit conference, so we are unfortunately unable to offer any financial support. This was one of the motivations for alternating between in-person and digiHPAC years.
Are meals included?
Meals are NOT included in the ticket price of HPAC. Daily lunch is available for pre-order. Lunch order information and dietary restrictions will be distributed about a week before in-person HPACs. Payment is due during registration on Friday/Saturday and may be made in the form of cash or Venmo. Chestnut Hill College sponsors free coffee/tea service at the beginning of each conference day, and bottled water and munchies are available at all times, thanks to the generosity of our participants.
Where do I park at CHC?
Please see the Attend page.
Is transportation to/from the Conference available?
HPAC cannot officially coordinate transportation. The HPAC Slack workspace is a great place for attendees to coordinate carpooling. More information is also available on the Attend page.
Can HPAC connect me with a roommate?
HPAC cannot officially coordinate rooming, but the HPAC Slack workspace is a great place for attendees to find a room-share. More information is also available on the Attend page.
What should I wear?
HPAC is an academic conference, and most attendees will choose to wear business casual clothing like dress pants, button-down shirts, dresses, nice cardigans, etc. However, most attendees also choose to nod to their House or include the fandom in some way through House sweaters or robes, House ties, HP-related jewelry, carrying wands, etc. Think Disneybounding more than cosplaying.
I am a book author or craft maker. Am I allowed to sell at HPAC?
Absolutely! Please contact the Board for details and rules for selling at the conference.
Does HPAC have publication opportunities?
There is no official publication for HPAC*, but many collected volumes of essays like Open at the Close (ed. Conchar-Farr), Potterversity (ed. McDaniel and Strand), and The Ivory Tower, Harry Potter, and Beyond (ed. Whited) have often come directly from presentations heard at HPAC. This is a place to form connections and make magic! (*Yes, we have often discussed a formal publication, but a journal or edited volume through a reputable press requires more work than the HPAC Board is able to offer in addition to their day jobs, personal lives, and the conference itself).
Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling are not responsible for this event. The Harry Potter Academic Conference is a non-profit academic conference based at Chestnut Hill College, a non-profit academic institution. The Harry Potter Academic Conference and Chestnut Hill College are not affiliated with J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, Scholastic Press, Pottermore, Warner Bros., or Universal Studios. No copyright infringement is intended. Built by 45Press.