Elizabeth Thomas (MS, 2009), senior lecturer and PR sequence head, presented research at the 2017 Popular Culture Association (PCA) National Convention in San Diego in March 2017.
Her paper titled “Star Trek: The 50-Year Mission” chronicled fan culture through Star Trek events and subsequent other fan conventions dating from the early 1970s through 2016 for the fabled Star Trek television and movie franchise.
Scholars who comprise the PCA are a group of educators and enthusiasts who study popular culture.
The Popular Culture Association (formally the Popular Culture Association / American Culture Association) is a non-profit organization which offers a venue to share ideas and interests about the field or about a particular subject within the field. It also provides publication opportunities.
Thomas has presented at eight PCA conferences since 2009.
Two of her presentation papers have subsequently been expanded into published book chapters, both involving the legacy of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and Trek’s lasting impact on American popular culture.
