Taylor Swift’s cultural impact and lyrics will be under the microscope at an upcoming academic conference in Australia, as the pop star sends fans into meltdown over her romance with an American sportsman.
The world-first conference will take place over three days in February, just days before Swift brings her record-breaking Eras Tour to Australia.
Swiftposium has been organised by scholars at seven universities from Australia and New Zealand, and researchers around the world have been invited to submit proposals for the conference at the University of Melbourne.
“Taylor Swift has emerged as a cultural icon of extraordinary influence,” the event’s website said.
“Swiftposium is a hybrid academic conference for scholars to engage in critical dialogue about Swift’s popularity and its profound implications for a range of issues including gender, fandom, popular culture, literature, the economy, the music industry, and more.”
Theses that may be discussed at Swiftposium include her fandom and the implications of it; the impacts of her touring; Swift’s involvement in activism; intellectual property, and of course, her lyrics.
Taylor Swift was seen cheering Travis Kelce in Missouri, amid dating rumours.
Throughout her career, Swift has consistently broken records, in the charts and at music awards.
Although she is still putting out new music, she has also gone back and re-recorded her previous albums, after the original recordings were sold.
Her fans have supported her bid to own her music by purchasing ‘Taylor’s version’ of her old catalogue as she releases them.
It has been suggested her Eras Tour has generated billions for the economy while on tour.
Taylor Swift’s new flame
Swift is making headlines globally for her rumoured relationship with NFL player Travis Kelce.
The rumour mill has been in overdrive for weeks. Kelce reportedly showed up to one of Swift’s shows with a friendship bracelet for her.
“I told her, you know, I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead [Stadium], you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit,” he said just days ago, according to NBC.
“So, we’ll see what happens in the near future.”
Travis Kelce plays for Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. Photo: Getty
Then on Sunday night, Swift was seen alongside Kelce’s mother, watching Kelce’s team, Kansas City Chiefs, take on Chicago Bears.
Swift was all smiles watching the game and appeared to be having the time of her life, leaving her dedicated fans absolutely delighted by the development.
After Kelce’s touchdown, Swift was seen celebrating – jumping up in the air and some people think she screamed, “Let’s f—king go”.
Kansas City Chiefs were triumphant and Swift and Kelce were seen leaving Arrowhead Stadium together after the game.
TMZ reported a 400 per cent spike in sales of Kelce’s jersey after Swift attended his game.
And Swift fans are starting to get themselves educated on American football, with many making videos and social posts explaining the sport for beginners.
@chris The last slide is my truth! #taylorswift #traviskelce #football #nfl #kansascitychiefs #erastour #Inverted
The power of Taylor Swift
Swift’s power extends well beyond her music.
With a single Instagram post, Swift recently prompted thousands of people to register to vote in the US.
“I’ve been so lucky to see so many of you guys at my US shows recently. I’ve heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories on National Voter Registration Day.
“Make sure you’re ready to use them in our elections this year!”
Tweet from @votedotorg
She linked to non-partisan, non-profit organisation Vote.org and as a result, more than 35,000 people registered to vote on the day.
It’s not clear how many people did so directly because of Swift’s post, but according to NPR, the organisation noted a 1226 per cent increase in participation after her post.
Early on in her career, Swift stayed out of politics, but in 2018, she publicly endorsed two Democratic candidates in Tennessee before the midterm elections.
“In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now,” she wrote.
“I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country.”
Taylor Swift has added thousands of names to the election roll.
She said she would not vote for Republican Marsha Blackburn and would favour Democratic candidates.
“Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me,” Swift said of Blackburn.
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