Spooky season of tales, spiders, and culture - SFU Experts on Halloween

This year, Halloween is going to look a little different. Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the annual tradition of ‘trick or treating’ will be closely monitored by officials in order to provide a safe way to celebrate. 

The following Simon Fraser University experts are available to speak on certain topics related to Halloween: 

BLOODY TALES

PAUL BUDRA, professor, English budra@sfu.ca 

Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve, dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The event is now celebrated around the world, with children wearing costumes with a focus on spine-chilling sights and sounds. 

SFU English professor Paul Budra, a Shakespearean scholar is available to speak on how horror films and literature play into Halloween.

STICKY SPOTS

ANDREAS FISCHER, PhD student, biological sciences, afischer@sfu.ca

A spooky staple every year, spiders often find their way into our homes to build their own safety webs. In BC in particular, only one species of spider is venomous, the false black widow spider. With many individuals admitting to having arachnophobia, it’s hard to imagine how they might actually be helpful to the environment. 

SFU biological sciences PhD student Andreas Fischer is available to comment on the chemical communication of arachnids and the work they do for their surroundings.

CULTURES AND COSTUMES

GEORGE NICHOLAS, professor, archeology nicholas@sfu.ca

Dressing up for Halloween is an annual tradition for kids and adults alike, with the range of popular costumes running the gamut; and at times, sparking a debate about cultural appropriation. 

SFU archaeology professor George Nicholas has studied and previously written about cultural appropriation and is available to speak on this topic.

CONTACT 

MELISSA SHAW, SFU  Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca 

Simon Fraser University 
Communications & Marketing | SFU Media Experts Directory 
778.782.3210 

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