Posted by Renata Frade

http://henryjenkins.org/blog/2025/10/8/geek-week-a-pop-culture-gaming-young-adult-and-childrens-literature-and-fanfiction-event-at-ufrj-with-a-significant-academic-impact-in-brazil

After a year of meticulous planning, the research groups NEPF² (​Fans and Fanfic Studies and Research Group), NuPNE (Electronic Narrative Research Center), and NUPLIJ (Center for Research in Children's and Youth Literature) — affiliated at the time with the Laboratório da Palavra (Word Lab) and PACC (Advanced Program of Contemporary Culture) — collaborated to organize a week dedicated to geek studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The event, named Geek Week UFRJ, took place recently at the Faculty of Letter, while also being made available online through Google Meet and YouTube.

The primary objective of Geek Week was to establish a safe and engaging space for intellectual discussions on topics related to pop culture, gaming, young adult and children's literature, and fanfiction. The event encouraged not only the academic research groups to share their perspectives but also provided an open forum for attendees to actively engage in discourse about widely consumed cultural phenomena.

Given that the subjects addressed during the event’s panels and discussion sessions are not traditionally explored within academic research, Geek Week served as a crucial platform to highlight the significance of both formal and informal studies on pop culture. The participating research groups assumed the responsibility of documenting and disseminating their insights, combining their academic investigations with their experiences as enthusiasts and fans to foster deeper academic interest in these emerging fields.

Event Structure and Highlights

Day 1 – Theoretical Frameworks in Popular Literature

The first day of the event was marked by engaging theoretical discussions centered on popular literature. A standout moment was the lecture, “There Are No Ostriches in Fairy Tales,” delivered by professor Francisco Câmelo. Offering a rich analysis of children's literature and fairy tales, Câmelo guided the audience through the evolution of these narratives—from their early origins to modern reinterpretations.

His talk shed light on the symbolic use of animals in storytelling, with a particular focus on birds. Drawing attention to the curious absence of ostriches in traditional fairy tales, the professor contrasted this with the frequent appearance of other birds such as crows, swans, and nightingales. The lecture invited listeners to reflect on how symbolic choices in literature reveal cultural values and shape the way stories are told and understood over time.

Day 2 – Fandom Culture and Community Interpretations

The second day of the event shifted focus to fandom studies, highlighting the diversity and complexity of fan communities. A standout session featured a compelling lecture on the Furry fandom, presented by Letícia Pimenta, General Coordinator and Administrator of NEPF².

In her talk, Letícia explored the origins of the Furry community and unpacked the multiple ways it is understood both within and outside the fandom. She addressed common stereotypes and misconceptions, offering a critical lens on how these narratives are shaped. The presentation also mapped out the varied subcultures within the Furry world, shedding light on their evolution and the ways in which they are portrayed in mainstream media. With a thoughtful and informative approach, the session challenged prevailing assumptions and broadened the conversation around fan identities and representation.

Day 3 – Gender, Sexuality, and Representation in Media

The third day of the event centered on discussions surrounding gender and sexuality, examining how these themes are represented across literature, gaming, and K-pop. Among the most thought-provoking sessions was the panel “Chapter 21: Sex, Fantasy, and Young Readers”, organized by NUPLIJ and NEPF².

This panel offered a critical examination of how sexuality is portrayed in children's and young adult literature. The discussion compared narrative approaches across age groups and reflected on the broader societal implications of these representations. By unpacking the complexities of storytelling aimed at younger audiences, the session encouraged a deeper understanding of how literature can shape perceptions of identity, desire, and fantasy during formative years.

Day 4 – Horror Narratives and Their Literary Evolution

The fourth day of the event turned its focus to horror fiction, exploring the genre’s narrative strategies across literature and various media. The day’s sessions featured dynamic discussions on a range of themes, including the presence of horror elements in children's literature, the craft of building suspense, and the symbolic use of zombies as recurring narrative devices.

Participants examined how horror adapts to different literary formats and audience demographics, shedding light on the enduring appeal and cultural significance of the genre. By dissecting how fear is constructed and conveyed, the day offered a rich exploration of horror as both a storytelling tool and a mirror for societal anxieties.

Day 5 – Creative Workshops: Comics, The Sims, and Fanzines

The final day of the event shifted from theory to practice, featuring a series of interactive creative workshops that encouraged participants to explore storytelling through various artistic mediums. This day involved three distinct sessions, each led by a different research group.

The Comics Workshop, organized by NUPLIJ, offered participants an in-depth introduction to the fundamentals of visual storytelling, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between images and text in narrative construction. Far beyond a theoretical overview, the session provided a hands-on experience where attendees created their own original comic strips, applying the concepts discussed in real time. Throughout the workshop, participants explored key elements of comic book language including panel sequencing, framing, character design, and dialogue pacing, gaining a deeper understanding of the creative and technical aspects that define the comic book industry. The activity not only demystified the process of making comics but also highlighted their cultural and narrative potential as a powerful medium of expression.

NuPNE led The Sims Workshop, demonstrating how simulation games can serve as powerful tools for crafting complex, character-driven narratives. Participants were divided into groups of four, collaborating closely to explore the inner workings of character creation and world-building within The Sims universe. Through guided activities, each group developed unique scenarios, navigating choices related to identity, relationships, and environment design. The workshop highlighted how interactive digital platforms can foster creativity, narrative coherence, and collaborative storytelling, offering participants a deeper appreciation for the narrative possibilities embedded in simulation games.

Meanwhile, NEPF² hosted the Fanzine Workshop, offering participants a hands-on experience in creating and self-publishing their own zines. The session walked attendees through the entire process: from concept development and layout design to photocopying and final assembly, emphasizing the zine as a medium of both artistic expression and grassroots communication. All participants produced fanzines centered on themes of protest and/or appreciation, with most works focused on fandoms related to music and cinema. The workshop fostered a space for personal voice and collective identity, illustrating how fanzines remain a vibrant form of cultural commentary and fan engagement.

All workshops were met with great enthusiasm, offering participants not only the chance to engage creatively, but also to apply storytelling techniques in concrete and meaningful ways. Whether through comics, simulation games, or fanzines, students explored new forms of narrative expression while collaborating, experimenting, and producing original content. The outcomes of these activities, as well as each lecture, reflect the diversity of voices and interests presented throughout the event.

Impact, Academic Recognition and a commitment to Pop Culture Studies

Geek Week UFRJ garnered meaningful engagement from both in-person and online audiences. Over 50 participants joined the virtual sessions simultaneously and the total number of views (including both live and recorded lectures) surpassed 1,000. These numbers gain relevance within the Brazilian academic context, where fanfiction and pop culture studies still face limited institutional recognition. The event marked an important step in legitimizing these fields, and the lectures remain available through NEPF's YouTube channel.

NEPF firmly believes in the necessity of fostering spaces for knowledge exchange. Our mission is to bridge contemporary interests with academic and theoretical studies, ensuring that discussions on fandoms, literature, and digital culture receive the scholarly attention they deserve. With Geek Week, we had a surprising turnout of students from both the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the School of Fine Arts in general; the project provided space for people to familiarize, as well as break down, some prejudices and even discover new themes.

For readers in the U.S. and Europe, it’s worth noting that, while the numbers may seem modest compared to large-scale international conferences, Geek Week resonates within a context where fanfiction and pop culture studies are still emerging as legitimate academic subjects. Much like early fan studies conferences held in North America or the UK in the 1990s, Geek Week represents a turning point for the formalization of this field in Brazil.

Recordings of all Geek Week lectures are accessible on NEPF²’s YouTube channel, and the fanzines produced during the final day's workshop can be browsed and downloaded through the group’s online publication platform. Further updates, including news on upcoming projects and collaborations, will be regularly posted on the group's Instagram page and institutional website.

By opening space for academic dialogue on topics once marginalized by traditional scholarship, Geek Week laid the groundwork for a broader, interdisciplinary approach to culture and education. As pop culture continues to shape contemporary identities and communities, events like these reaffirm the importance of giving it serious academic attention.

Currently there are no plans for another edition of Geek Week soon, as our team is currently focusing on the development of a new project. However, Geek Week has already generated valuable outcomes beyond its original scope, including the creation of collaborative research initiatives and increased student engagement with topics such as fanfiction, media studies, and digital authorship. These developments continue to inform our ongoing work and will be reflected in future publications and activities.

What's next after Geek Week UFRJ?

Although the continuity of Geek Week UFRJ in its original format remains uncertain, due to recent structural changes at the research center, the enthusiasm it sparked among students and scholars suggests a promising future for pop culture studies within academia. With NEPF² now operating at Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), under the supervision of professor and researcher Adriana Amaral, the group aims to expand its research lines and reaffirm its commitment to exploring contemporary cultural phenomena.

As a direct result of the success of Geek Week, a new academic initiative is already confirmed: Virtual Fan Studies Week, to be held online from September 1 to 5, 2025. This event will bring together early-career researchers, university scholars, and professionals working in the field of Fan Studies, aiming to foster dialogue, collaboration, and increased visibility for this emerging area in Brazilian academia. The full program and registration details will be made available on NEPF²’s official communication channels and social media pages such as Instagram and Tumblr.

Further information can be found in social media like Instagram and Tumblr. NEPF has an AO3 - Archive of Our Own account available to read fanfics created and beta read by Brazilian students on Fanfic Workshops.

Biographies

Letícia Fernandes Pimenta is a researcher focused on contemporary pop culture and fan narratives. Her work explores the K-pop fandoms, construction of women in pop culture, fanfics, and fanzines, with a special interest in cultural and affective practices. She is coordinator, editor, and designer/social media manager at the NEPF² research group, combining academic expertise with creativity, critical thinking, and strong communication skills.

Ticiane Pilar Café is a researcher that focuses on contemporary pop culture, fan narratives, and their intersection with education. With strong experience in educational settings, she leads workshops and training projects. She is one of NEPF²’s coordinators and supervisor of events from NEPF².

http://henryjenkins.org/blog/2025/10/8/geek-week-a-pop-culture-gaming-young-adult-and-childrens-literature-and-fanfiction-event-at-ufrj-with-a-significant-academic-impact-in-brazil