iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Sophie Cardin @sophiecardin.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

After almost a year in the works, you can now register to attend the Utopia Now! Conference: www.schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk/whats-on/uto... Tickets are only £10 standard/ £5 students and U25

schwarzmancentre.ox.ac.uk

Utopia Now! Conference — part of the Utopia Now! Conference

This international conference sets out to explore the possibility of utopian imagining today, at a time when many of our social, political and environmental conditions are in crisis. The conference br...

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This beauty is now available in paperback and you can get 30% off with code SNPF26 making it around £20: sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wast... For more info about the book or the writing process I was interviewed for New Books Network and you can find that interview here: newbooksnetwork.com/wastelands-a...

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Had a lot of fun talking to @lucatrenta.bsky.social on NBN for the impending paperback release of Wastelands and Wonderlands. You can listen to the interview here: newbooksnetwork.com/wastelands-a...

newbooksnetwork.com

Wastelands and Wonderlands: Utopias and Dystopias in Film and Literature with Matthew Leggatt (SUNY Press, 2026) - New Books Network

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Can really recommend this to listeners. Something a bit different from @nedbeauman.bsky.social on the subject of species extinction! Will be making an appearance on my Globalisation module this year.

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iucounu @iucounu.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

In Star Trek people often complain that replicated food is not as good as naturally produced food, which is weird when replicators are presumably using the same technology as transporters, which can perfectly replicate Spock every time. But is Spock getting less flavoursome over time? In this essay,

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

A year ago today I received my author copies of Play in Utopian and Dystopian Fiction. If you want to know what that book is about you can listen to my recent appearance on The Deep Dive open.spotify.com/episode/7AuD...

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Want to listen to @friede.bsky.social talking about the history of Actual Play, Critical Role, fan spaces, and utopia? You can find our latest episode of the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. #DnD #CriticalRole open.spotify.com/episode/1Njk...

open.spotify.com

Episode 24: Emily Friedman, Actual Play, Critical Role, and Utopianism

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Does anyone have any ideas why the Spotify algorithm hates us? Despite most of our followers being on the platform, a dwindling percentage of our plays and downloads seem to be happening there.

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Had a lot of fun this afternoon chatting with Melissa Kennedy about Nicecore. Very timely with the release of the new Ted Lasso season. I did not expect to be talking so much about football in an episode!

static.klipy.com

Ted Lasso: How 'Bout That

ALT: Ted Lasso: How 'Bout That

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Episode 24 is now available, featuring an interview with @friede.bsky.social focusing on all things TTRPG, Actual Play, Critical Role and, of course, Utopianism. And it's not even Thursday yet! open.spotify.com/episode/1Njk...

open.spotify.com

Episode 24: Emily Friedman, Actual Play, Critical Role, and Utopianism

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Sorry for the wait. We've been busy! But tomorrow we'll finally be releasing episode 24 and our interview with the effervescent @friede.bsky.social on Actual Play, Critical Role, all things TTRPG and... of course, Utopia! #CriticalRole, #TTRPG, #DnD

static.klipy.com

Travis Willingham's Eldritch Blast on Critical Role

ALT: Travis Willingham's Eldritch Blast on Critical Role

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Daniel A. Olivas @danielolivas.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Across the U.S., the reanimated fill gaps in the workforce while the President stokes hatred to improve her polling. In this episode, Matt Leggatt interviews me about Chicano Frankenstein and the current attacks on immigrants in the U.S. open.spotify.com/episode/7q32... #dystopia #horror

open.spotify.com

Episode 21: Author Interview - Daniel Olivas, 'Chicano Frankenstein', and Immigration

Utopian and Dystopian Fictions · Episode

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Had a great time guesting on The Deep Dive podcast and talking all things Play in Utopian and Dystopian Fiction. The episode is now available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on the podcast's website: open.spotify.com/episode/7AuD...

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Yes, predicting the future is a mug's game. Not many people anticipated the emergence of the digital age. What will be next? Reanimation?

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

I mean, I could definitely get on board with a self-cleaning kitchen!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

While there'll be no June episode of the podcast owing to particularly busy schedules for Liam and I, we do have two exciting interviews now recorded so we're hoping to be back with a bumper July! In the meantime, you can always check out those old episodes you've been meaning to catch up on!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Thanks for passing this on. This sounds really interesting and a different perspective which is the kind of thing we like. Will certainly bookmark it and take a look (although at present our guest list is lengthy so might take a while!).

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Had a great time presenting at The Quartet Symposium today organised by my wonderful colleagues @drelizabethmac1.bsky.social and Dan Varndell! The papers were all incredibly delivered and thought-provoking. I previewed my Utopian Studies paper I'll be giving in Bucharest in a couple of weeks!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Just sat down for a chat with the wonderful @friede.bsky.social. Excited for you to hear our conversation about D&D, Actual Play, Fan Communities and Utopia/Dystopia!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Ok... now the football's over you can all go and catch up on missed episodes of the podcast!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Our latest episode is here and features an interview with the brilliant Jess Norledge where we explore the connections between language and dystopian fiction. You can listen here on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Don't forget to follow, rate and all that jazz! open.spotify.com/episode/79Sy...

open.spotify.com

Episode 23: Jess Norledge, Dystopian Language, and the Language of Dystopia

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Congratulations on reaching 50 episodes! Amazing stuff!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

The thanks is definitely owed to you! Meeting tomorrow to record the episode introduction.

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Had a lovely chat this afternoon with @jessnorledge.bsky.social for our next episode on The Language of Dystopia. Looking forward to sharing with you soon. In the meantime there's still a couple of days left to enter our competition to win a copy of Wastelands and Wonderlands. Details in episode 22.

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

With just over a week to go, a reminder that if you want a chance to win a copy of Wastelands and Wonderlands: Utopias and Dystopias in Film and Literature you need to repost this citing your favourite episode of the podcast and why, something you read as a result of listening, and tagging a friend.

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

A reminder that you can win a copy of this book by listening to the latest episode of Utopian and Dystopian Fictions (on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube) and following the instructions there.

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

It's amazing to me how often this image is used when someone posts about utopia. I know in part it's because it's one of the first images Google gives us if you search utopia. But what about this image do you think tells us it's utopian? Genuinely curious...

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Episode 22 is available now, featuring a fantastic interview with Jacqueline Dutton about indigenous futurism, utopia, and much more. There's also a chance to win a copy of Wastelands and Wonderlands. Repost this along with additional instructions in the episode. open.spotify.com/episode/1Et2...

open.spotify.com

Episode 22: Jacqueline Dutton, 'Indigenous Futurism', and Utopianism and Place

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Tomorrow we'll be dropping episode 22 which features a fascinating interview with Jacqueline Dutton and a chance to win a free hardback copy of this little beauty...

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

A reminder that if you're looking for material insight on Orwell then you should look no further than our interview with Orwell expert Nathan Waddell: open.spotify.com/episode/5Fgg...

open.spotify.com

Episode 9: Nathan Waddell, George Orwell and Nineteen Eighty-Four

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Matt cheating on Liam... surely not! Hope listeners to the UDF podcast enjoy his appearance on A Meal of Thorns. A fun chat about Ready Player One!

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The University of Winchester @uniwinchester.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Dr Matthew Leggatt, Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities @uniwinchester.bsky.social, is the next guest on speculative fiction podcast Meal of Thorns, talking to host Jake Casella Brookings about Ready Player One. The episode is available from Monday (20 April) on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Not wanting to take credit but... we have a history of interviewing people whose books have then gone on to shine at the Locus Awards! Good luck andré! Fully deserved!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Looks really interesting. Thanks for the tip. Memory studies is something I'm particularly interested in having written about nostalgia in the past.

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

It strikes me that the divide between those who think AI is a scourge and those who are embracing it is actually a divide between those who have seen films and those who haven't!

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

4 books by 40, with a few days to spare, so why not celebrate the achievement. Liam and I will also be giving listeners to the podcast the chance to win a copy of Wastelands and Wonderlands in the next episode so make sure you tune in for that!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Happy Easter everyone. Hope you've been enjoying the long weekend. What's more Easter themed than our latest episode on Chicano Frankenstein? (This announcement has not been written by AI). open.spotify.com/episode/7q32...

open.spotify.com

Episode 21: Author Interview - Daniel Olivas, 'Chicano Frankenstein', and Immigration

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Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Publication day! It was an honour to work with such an amazing group of scholars for this (list in the comments below). Please consider ordering to your institutional library or purchasing the ebook. More affordable paperback is heading your way in 6 months. sunypress.edu/Books/W/Wast...

sunypress.edu

Wastelands and Wonderlands

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Thanks andré, since you've already guested I think you're safe this time! Although you do have a new book out...

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Excited to be interviewing our next guest tomorrow morning and it's an early start for me because of the very substantial time difference... that's all I'll give you!

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Utopian and Dystopian Fictions Podcast @utopiaanddystopia.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Across America the reanimated are plugging gaps in the workforce while the President stokes hatred of them to improve her polling. In this episode we speak to Daniel Olivas, author of Chicano Frankenstein about his novel and the current plight of immigrants in the US open.spotify.com/episode/7q32...

open.spotify.com

Episode 21: Author Interview - Daniel Olivas, 'Chicano Frankenstein', and Immigration

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Daniel A. Olivas @danielolivas.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

"[O]ne of the top-selling trends in adult reading right now is dystopian fiction. Some of the top sellers in our bookstore are 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler, 'Chicano Frankenstein' by Daniel Olivas..." www.latimes.com/entertainmen... #dystopian

latimes.com

Tom Junod says his new memoir allowed him carry on 'without the necessity of being silent'

Writer Tom Junod discusses his new memoir about his father, 'In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man.'

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