We are pleased to announce a Call for Papers for the Finncon 2026 Academic Track, an international conference on speculative fiction that will take place on 10–12 July 2026 at the University of Turku, Finland. The Academic Track is a long-established part of the largest annual science fiction and fantasy convention in Finland, and serves as a meeting place for academics working on all things related to speculative fiction from all over the world. In 2026, in line with the convention at large, the theme of the Academic Track is “Beginnings.” Please send in your paper proposal (abstract of 200–300 words + a brief biographical note) by email to academic@2026.finncon.org by 2 April 2026.

Many of the ”what if” questions posed in speculative fiction across media are ultimately linked to beginnings. Worldbuilding in fantasy and science fiction may begin, for example, with a thought experiment about the cause-and-effect relationships of a particular technological innovation or magical intervention, leading in some cases to thousands of years of fictional history. Stories about alternative histories and realities, on the other hand, often raise questions about how things might have changed if some fundamental beginning in history had turned out differently. Dystopian stories regularly deal with the question of where the end (of the world) begins and what might begin from that end. Amidst the intersecting ecological and other crises prevailing in our world, speculative fiction is one tool for speculating on what a new, more sustainable beginning would look like and require. Of course, we can also analyze the concrete beginnings of speculative works, return to the rich historical roots of the genre and its scholarship, or, for example, consider where our interaction with the stories we encounter begins and what it initiates on both an individual and a communal level. All in all, the theme of beginnings opens up a multitude of theoretical, analytical, and philosophical avenues for us as researchers to begin our exploration.

Although it is said that every story has a beginning, from the perspective of our current conference, it might be more appropriate to speak of an ever-expanding network of beginnings. With this in mind, we welcome paper proposals on various topics related to beginnings in speculative fiction, including but not limited to:

• Historical perspectives: a return to the roots of speculative genres, specific works, related fan culture, etc.
• Beginnings in the structure of speculative storytelling: narrative perspectives, media- and genre-specific approaches, etc.
• Beginnings in the worlds of speculative fiction: creation myths, the rise and fall of civilizations, world-changing events and inventions, the roots of crises, alternative histories and realities, etc.
• Philosophical perspectives on beginnings: different definitions (or questioning) of the concept, the relationship between beginning and end, linear vs. cyclical perceptions, etc.
• Speculating on beginnings in light of material conditions, power hierarchies and agency: What is needed for something to begin? Who determines what can begin and for whom? What kinds of (human and non-human) actors are involved in shaping particular beginnings?
• The significance of speculative fiction in imagining new beginnings in an era of intersecting geopolitical, humanitarian and ecological crises
• The origins and expansion of ideas: influences, intertextuality, creative processes, transmediality, etc.
• Explorations of encounters between speculative works and readers/viewers/players: Where do interaction, immersion, interpretation, etc. begin? What do they set in motion?
• The history of speculative fiction research, new beginnings and openings in the field

We understand speculative fiction as a broad umbrella term that includes at least science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, detective stories, magical realism, as well as related genres and categories across literature, film, games, media, fan studies, and other research approaches. Contributions from scholars interested in these areas at all career stages and from all research fields are warmly welcome! While proposals falling under the conference theme will be given precedence, we will also consider papers on other topics related to speculative fiction.

The preferred language for all papers in the Finncon 2026 Academic Track is English, as the conference aims to reach an international audience. However, if you have a strong preference for giving your presentation in Finnish or Swedish, exceptions can be made by contacting the organizers. In that case, you can submit your proposal in that language.

The conference will be organized on-site at the University of Turku. The academic track will mostly consist of presentations but we are open to suggestions on programming items in other formats as well (discussions, workshops etc.). We do not charge any conference fee from participants.

As co-chairs of the Finncon Academic Track, we are glad to answer all questions you may have regarding the conference.

Sincerely,

Kuu Aholainen & Elio Parkkola

academic@2026.finncon.org