The following article expands on highlights and insights from one of our Expert Series events, which are exclusive for Young Scholars and their parents.
Authored by: Margaret-Ann Simonetta
Introduction
Harry Potter and the Young Scholars is an Expert Series that discusses the Harry Potter fandom and the wizarding intricacies that have made the series the No. 1 Best Selling novel series of all time. This in-depth lecture covers topics such as the roots of Fan Studies, Harry Potter statistics and facts, popular culture, and fan-induced global tourism. By the end of this lecture, students can walk away with a better understanding of the Harry Potter series and its global impact on our society – from yesterday, to today, and in our near future.
Highlights
Did you know the Harry Potter series is the World’s second best-selling book of all time behind The Bible? Did you know the Harry Potter fandom is rated the globe’s No. 1 fandom via the fan-base’s merchandise sales, book buys, and global travels? Did you know the. Harry Potter fandom created ‘Midnight Release’ events, which are now considered world-renowned activities for communities across our globe? Harry Potter and the Young Scholars discusses these fun tidbits and more, providing mind-blowing wizarding facts and real-world locations for you to expand your fandom fantasies online or in the flesh!
Things students can do to explore this topic further
Be adventurous and have fun! Part of being a Harry Potter fan is the exploration that comes with the fandom – so get outside and travel, seek local wizarding shops and cafes, and start a friendly conversation with those you meet in the wizarding wild regarding your mutual love for the Potter series.
Academically, there are many books on Harry Potter cooking, travel, sports, fandom, politics, religion, and more for you to borrow or buy. Nearly every topic imaginable has been linked to and written about via the Harry Potter fandom, so don’t be shy to ‘Google’ any topic + Harry Potter to further your intrigue and knowledge on behalf of the Wizarding World.
Resources
All my materials come straight from the source – J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World website. This website is an online mega warehouse of the series’ backstories, interesting facts, and never-before-read facts and statistics based upon the books, films, and spin-off series. Aside from the novels and films, consider Wizarding World’s website the only primary source for your magical needs!
Of course, you can always read more at my Harvard Scholar page, where I use these sources and more to discuss a plethora of Potter topics via an academic lens.
Speaker Bio:
Margaret-Ann is a lively PhD Scholar and Fandom expert in the field of Harry Potter Studies, Anthropology, Film and Media, and Tourism Research. She is a dedicated academic, a proud two-time Harvard University alumna, and a friend to all witches and wizards alike!
Margaret-Ann strives to forge contemporary Fandom Studies through intriguing scholarly concentrations such as Anthropology, Tourism Research, and Film and Media Studies through her many publications, global presentations, and Harvard University lectures. A Harvard Crimson by day and a Hogwarts Gryffindor by night, Margaret-Ann’s passion for modern academia and Fandom studies make her one of the only scholars in the world studying this unique magical concentration.
Permission Statement
This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.
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