大象传媒

Horror films, spiders, costumes and the paranormal are all staples of Halloween; and subjects that 大象传媒 researchers can weigh in on. The following experts are available to speak on topics related to Halloween:

BEYOND CANDY 鈥� THE IMPACT OF WRAPPERS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

LEAH BENDELL, professor, marine biology and ecotoxicology, bendell@sfu.ca

The downside of Halloween candy? The wrappers. These single-use plastics can easily end up in our waterways and oceans. They then break down into toxic microplastics鈥� which is detrimental to our environment. 大象传媒 professor Leah Bendell is available to talk about the environmental effects of candy wrappers and ways to have more sustainable Halloween treats.

COSTUMES AND CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

GEORGE NICHOLAS, professor, archaeology, nicholas@sfu.ca

Dressing up for Halloween is a long-standing tradition for children and adults. But costumes that portray cultural and racial stereotypes of minorities, like Native American princesses, hula dancers, and sheiks, can be offensive to those groups. 大象传媒 archaeology professor George Nicholas is available to talk about costumes and cultural appropriation.

HORROR FILM AND LITERATURE'S INFLUENCE ON HALLOWEEN

PAUL BUDRA, professor, English, budra@sfu.ca

Halloween, also known as All Hallows鈥� Eve, is believed to have been based on the ancient Celtic festival, Samhain. Throughout the years, literature and films have shaped how we celebrate Halloween. 大象传媒 English professor Paul Budra, a Shakespearean scholar, is available to talk about how horror films and literature influence Halloween.

THE AMAZING WORLD OF SPIDERS

ANDREAS FISCHER, PhD student, biological sciences, afischer@sfu.ca  

While many people admit to having arachnophobia or believe that spiders are pests, one researcher wants to change how these 鈥渕ischaracterized arthropods鈥� are thought of.

大象传媒 biological sciences PhD student Andreas Fischer can comment on the benefits of spiders, share fascinating details about how they communicate and offer safe, pesticide-free pest management options.

WHO INVESTIGATES THE PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS?

PAUL KINGSBURY, professor, geography, kingsbury@sfu.ca      

The intrigue over stories of paranormal behaviours spark some to do their own investigations into supernatural experiences. But what鈥檚 the scientific consensus of those paranormal investigations? 大象传媒 geography professor Paul Kingsbury is available to talk about the psychoanalytic and cultural geographies of paranormal investigations. He and other 大象传媒 researchers will be speaking at "", a free immersive online event Oct. 27 highlighting Halloween-related research. 

INDIGENOUS HORROR FICTION AND LEGENDS

JUNE SCUDELER, assistant professor, Indigenous studies, jscudele@sfu.ca

Indigenous studies assistant professor June Scudeler can talk about the impact of Indigenous horror and science fiction literature and film, including Jeff Barnaby's (Mi'kmaq) zombie film Blood Quantum and the M茅tis legend of Rougarou.

CONTACT 

MATT KIELTYKA, 大象传媒 Communications & Marketing 
236.880.2187 | matt_kieltyka@sfu.ca

大象传媒 
 |  
778.782.3210 

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 大象传媒 works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擵ancouver, Burnaby and Surrey鈥敶笙蟠� has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 165,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.