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An introduction to the Science Fiction Foundation
The Science Fiction Foundation (Registered Charity No. 1041052)
was founded in 1970 by the writer/social activist George Hay and others
as a semi-autonomous association of writers, academics, critics and others
with an active interest in science fiction, with Arthur C. Clarke and
Ursula K. Le Guin as patrons. After the loss of Arthur C Clarke two new patrons have replaced him: Neil Gaiman (author) and and Professor David Southwood (one of Europe's leading space scientists) Our aim is to promote science fiction and
bring together those who read, write, study, teach, research or archive
science fiction in Britain and the rest of the world. We also want to
support science fiction, at conventions, at conferences and at other events
which bring those interested in science fiction together.
Our main activities include publication of the journal Foundation: the international review of science fiction, and supporting the research library The Science Fiction Foundation Collection at the University of Liverpool. We have recently run successful conferences such as A Commonwealth of Science Fiction and the 2002 SFRA Conference, and published critical works on Ken MacLeod, Terry Pratchett and Babylon 5.
The four main objectives of the SFF are: to provide research facilities for anyone wishing to study science fiction; to investigate and promote the usefulness of science fiction in education; to disseminate information about science fiction; and to promote a discriminating understanding of the nature of science fiction.