Keynote Speakers
The Metal and Cultural Impact conference features two keynote speakers.
Amber Clifford-Napoleone, PhD
Thursday, November 6, 2014
9:45am-11:00am, Kennedy Union Ballroom
The conference will convene with Dr. Amber Clifford-Napoleone's introductory address, entitled, “Queer Metal Matters: Metal, Sexuality, and the Future.” Dr. Clifford-Napoleone's keynote explores hard and heavy music as a space for challenging ideas about gender, sexuality, and the margins. Through heavy metal, she examines the question: Is there an intersection between queer identities, the politics of alterity, and the future of heavy metal? Using personal experience, metal’s historic past, its stylistic cues, and the voices of over 500 self-identified queer metal fans from around the world, Dr. Clifford-Napoleone discusses the double-edged alterity of queer heavy metal.
Dr. Clifford-Napoleone is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Curator of the McClure Archives and University Museum at the University of Central Missouri. A scholar of sexuality and popular culture, Dr. Clifford-Napoleone specializes in sexual subcultures and musical spaces. Her first two books, Queerness in Heavy Metal (Routledge) and Queering the Inferno: Space, Identity, and Kansas City’s Jazz Scene (University of Nebraska Press), are forthcoming. Her research on heavy metal focuses on gender fluidity in heavy metal, especially as expressed among self-identified LGBTTQQIA+ fans and musicians. In addition to her research, Dr. Clifford-Napoleone also teaches cultural and applied Anthropology, and curates one of the largest collections of Bedouin material culture in existence. Dr. Clifford-Napoleone lives in rural Missouri with her wife Tara, three dogs, and a growing collection of heavy metal records.
Josh Bernstein
Saturday, November 8, 2014
6:30pm-8:00pm, Sears Recital Hall
Closing the conference will be a keynote address by Josh Bernstein, noted publisher, designer, and media entrepreneur. Bernstein's address, titled, “Heavy Metal: A Business, A Lifestyle, Past, Present, and Future," examines the historical and contemporary status of the heavy metal music industry. How does the Heavy Metal music industry survive as a global business today and in the future? Bernstein explores how survival of the industry may depend on the commonality of the music, bands and fans being misunderstood across time and cultures. Through an examination of these misconceptions and the realities of metal culture, fandom, and the music industry, Bernstein explores the future of heavy metal as a global phenomenon.
Josh Bernstein serves as the Director of Sales and Business Development for Alternative Press, where he recently produced the first-ever AP Music Awards Show live from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Bernstein has had a successful career in publishing and design working at such diverse companies as the Wall St. Journal, New York Magazine, Maxim, Parade, Time Out New York, Blender and FHM. Previously, he served as Director of Marketing at NewBay Media. He currently resides in Maplewood, NJ with his wife and daughter.
Conference Sessions
Additionally, the conference features more than 30 individual presentations spread out over 13 consecutive conference sessions. Access the consecutive session schedule for each day below.
Presentation Equipment & Technology
All conference sessions are located in rooms equipped with wireless internet access, laptop or desktop for display, VGA & HDMI input, USB ports, projector, video &/or DVD player, document cameras, microphones, and speakers. Should you require additional presentation technology or assistive/adaptive tools, please contact the conference organizers with a specific request. We will do our best to meet your technological needs.
The Metal and Cultural Impact conference features two keynote speakers.
Amber Clifford-Napoleone, PhD
Thursday, November 6, 2014
9:45am-11:00am, Kennedy Union Ballroom
The conference will convene with Dr. Amber Clifford-Napoleone's introductory address, entitled, “Queer Metal Matters: Metal, Sexuality, and the Future.” Dr. Clifford-Napoleone's keynote explores hard and heavy music as a space for challenging ideas about gender, sexuality, and the margins. Through heavy metal, she examines the question: Is there an intersection between queer identities, the politics of alterity, and the future of heavy metal? Using personal experience, metal’s historic past, its stylistic cues, and the voices of over 500 self-identified queer metal fans from around the world, Dr. Clifford-Napoleone discusses the double-edged alterity of queer heavy metal.
Dr. Clifford-Napoleone is Associate Professor of Anthropology and Curator of the McClure Archives and University Museum at the University of Central Missouri. A scholar of sexuality and popular culture, Dr. Clifford-Napoleone specializes in sexual subcultures and musical spaces. Her first two books, Queerness in Heavy Metal (Routledge) and Queering the Inferno: Space, Identity, and Kansas City’s Jazz Scene (University of Nebraska Press), are forthcoming. Her research on heavy metal focuses on gender fluidity in heavy metal, especially as expressed among self-identified LGBTTQQIA+ fans and musicians. In addition to her research, Dr. Clifford-Napoleone also teaches cultural and applied Anthropology, and curates one of the largest collections of Bedouin material culture in existence. Dr. Clifford-Napoleone lives in rural Missouri with her wife Tara, three dogs, and a growing collection of heavy metal records.
Josh Bernstein
Saturday, November 8, 2014
6:30pm-8:00pm, Sears Recital Hall
Closing the conference will be a keynote address by Josh Bernstein, noted publisher, designer, and media entrepreneur. Bernstein's address, titled, “Heavy Metal: A Business, A Lifestyle, Past, Present, and Future," examines the historical and contemporary status of the heavy metal music industry. How does the Heavy Metal music industry survive as a global business today and in the future? Bernstein explores how survival of the industry may depend on the commonality of the music, bands and fans being misunderstood across time and cultures. Through an examination of these misconceptions and the realities of metal culture, fandom, and the music industry, Bernstein explores the future of heavy metal as a global phenomenon.
Josh Bernstein serves as the Director of Sales and Business Development for Alternative Press, where he recently produced the first-ever AP Music Awards Show live from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Bernstein has had a successful career in publishing and design working at such diverse companies as the Wall St. Journal, New York Magazine, Maxim, Parade, Time Out New York, Blender and FHM. Previously, he served as Director of Marketing at NewBay Media. He currently resides in Maplewood, NJ with his wife and daughter.
Conference Sessions
Additionally, the conference features more than 30 individual presentations spread out over 13 consecutive conference sessions. Access the consecutive session schedule for each day below.
Presentation Equipment & Technology
All conference sessions are located in rooms equipped with wireless internet access, laptop or desktop for display, VGA & HDMI input, USB ports, projector, video &/or DVD player, document cameras, microphones, and speakers. Should you require additional presentation technology or assistive/adaptive tools, please contact the conference organizers with a specific request. We will do our best to meet your technological needs.