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Why does horror fascinate us? Why are we obsessed with scary movies? As your newsrooms prepare stories for Halloween, researchers from ���񱦵� are available to discuss these topics and more.

The sociology of horror films

Laura Patterson is an instructor in the Department of Sociology and co-host of the, which covers horror films from a sociological perspective. She can discuss the increasing acceptance of horror as a “legitimate” art form, how horror films reflect the fears, desires and tensions in society at a given time and how different groups and ideologies are represented in horror films.

Why we love horror

Stephen Graham Jones is an Ivena Baldwin Professor of English and the author of several critically acclaimed horror novels, including his most recent books, “I Was a Teenage Slasher” and “The Angel of Indian Lake.” Jones can discuss��and helps us process them, and��

Why we like wearing costumes

Halloween is a day when many children dress up as witches, vampires, mummies or their favorite superheroes, but Theodore Stark, associate teaching professor and costume production director for the ���񱦵� Department of Theatre & Dance, says it’s no surprise that many adults also embrace the costuming custom

Stark can discuss why people wear costumes to embrace different personas, the particular appeal of dressing scary for Halloween and what makes for a great Halloween outfit.��Read a Q&A with Stark on this topic.��

Harry Potter and J.k. Rowling

For many Harry Potter fans, the countdown to Halloween means it’s time to rewatch the series. This autumn also marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. release of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” book three in author J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series. However, in recent years, Rowling has gained notoriety for stating strongly anti-trans views.

Is it possible to love the art but dislike the artist? Can the two be separated? ���񱦵� philosopher Iskra Fileva can discuss the complexities in separating the magic of a story from the controversies of its teller.��Read a Q&A with Fileva on this topic.��