Horror Studies Now - Award

Horror Studies Now 2025, Northumbria University

In May 2024, I went up to Northumbria University for the Horror Studies Now conference. I had submitted a paper abstract and was delighted to have it accepted... I wanted to yap about horror, mental health, addiction and writing, and folk were interested? [Insert nerdy happy dance here].

I had a brilliant time at the conference, and met and listened to lots of interesting people working across the Horror Studies discipline. Afterwards, the organisers - Johnny Walker and Steve Jones, dream team! - got in touch to say I'd been awarded the inaugural Peter Hutchings Award for Outstanding Contribution to Horror Studies based on my research, and the paper presented.

This is a new award set up by the horror studies research group at NU in memory of their colleague, Peter Hutchings, who was a trailblazer and key figure in establishing horror studies as an academic discipline. As part of the award got to work with the editor of Studies in the Fantastic Journal (University of Tampa Press; ed Sarah Juliet Lauro) to publish it -- I couldn't be prouder of the recognition and response I've had to the research and paper: 'Survival and Recovery: addiction and the therapeutic potential of horror writing'. 

Tales of the Fantastic - Studies in the Fantastic Journal from University of Tampa Press

It was lovely to go back up to the Horror Studies Now event this year, where I met even more excellent people doing excellent research. The mutual respect, curiosity and enthusiasm between all attendees at Horror Studies Now is really special, it feels very non-hierarchical, open and supportive. Also some of the best, nerdiest horror tshirts and tattoos you're ever likely to see gathered in one place. I can't wait for next year's event and want to shout out to the incredible Research Group at NU: Dr Steve Jones, Prof. Stacey Abbott, Dr Kate Egan, Dr Russ Hunter, Dr Simon Brown, Dr Damien Pollard, Dr Johnny Walker.

If you'd like to find out more about my research or the article, you can get in touch on Instagram/Threads (@thebetterwithbooksclub) or email me on thebetterwithbooksclub@gmail.com