Media Appearances
by members of the Center for Monster Studies
In the Press
Explore the history behind monsters and what scares us and why (KTVU 10/29/25)
Michael Chemers joins KTVU news to talk about the Center for Monster Studies and what scares us. Watch the interview.
A Postcard from the Festival of Monsters (Contingent Magazine 10/22/25)
Alison G. Laurence speaks of her experience attending and presenting at the 2025 Festival of Monsters in this piece for Contingent Magazine. Read the story.
The Monsters are Coming (Good Times 10/15/25)
DNA talks with artist Cole Lemke about his art, which was featured as part of the public days of the 2025 Festival of Monsters. Read the article.
Festival features horror panel, roleplaying game (Santa Cruz Sentinel 10/13/25)
Nick Sestanovich previews the 2025 Festival of Monsters for the Sentinel. Read the story.
UCSC’s 'Festival of Monsters' blends scholarship and scares this October (KSBW 9/25/25)
KSBW talks monsters with the Center. Read the story.
This spooky season, join UC Santa Cruz experts in exploring what scares us and why (The Humanities Institute 9/22/25
Dan White interviews Michael Chemers and Renee Fox about the 2025 Festival of Monsters. Read the story.
Q&A: Founder of Center for Monster Studies isn’t scared when the lights go down (Jewish News of Northern California 10/30/24)
Sue Fishkoff interviews Michael Chemers on all things monsters. Read the story.
Monsters Under the Microscope (Voices of Monterey Bay, 10/24/24)
Charlotte West explores the Center for Monster Studies, a one-of-a-kind research hub for all things monstrous. Read the story.
Monsters Among Us (Good Times, 10/15/24)
Matt Weir’s in-depth exploration of the Festival of Monsters’ academic conference made the cover of the Good Times and shed some light on the dark arts of Monster Studies. Read the story.
Festival of Monsters brings insight, scholarship to Halloween season (Lookout Santa Cruz, 10/9/24)
Wallace Baine talks monsters with Michael Chemers to preview the Festival of Monsters in Lookout Santa Cruz. Read the story.
Event to feature performances, film screening (Santa Cruz Sentinel, 10/9/24)
Nick Sestanovich previews the 2024 Festival of Monsters for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Read the story.
Get Your Monster On In Time For Halloween At University Of California, Santa Cruz (Oct. 2023)
Chad Scott explores the Center for Monster Studies, the only such program of its kind in America in this in-depth article in Forbes. Read the story.
Monsters Among Us
(March 2023)
Lisa Renner interviews the faculty and students of the UCSC Center for Monster Studies about the Center’s activities for the UC Santa Cruz Magazine. Read the story.
Grendels, Golems, Godzilla
& More (May 8, 2022)
Wallace Baine talks with Center Director Michael Chemers and Playwright Kristen Brandt about the 2022 Festival. Read the story.
An interview with Center Director Michael Chemers
Michael Chemers is interviewed by Forest Reid of KSQD. Listen to the story (click 10 p.m. The Evil Eye)
UCSC’s Festival of Monsters features…. (May 11, 2022)
Sentinel writer Joanne Engelhardt writes about the 2022 Festival of Monsters. Read the Story.
Interdisciplinary Research Symposium
Center Director Dr. Michael M. Chemers at the UCSC Interdisciplinary Research Symposium, Nov 9, 2022. Check it out.
Podcasts
Dungeons & Diversity
Michael Chemers talks D&D’s diversity problem on VOX POPCAST.
Monsters in Theatre
Michael Chemers talks about the neglected history of monsters in performance on “The Monster Professor” with Josh Woods.
Monster Studies Course Syllabus
Michael Chemers joins the VOX POPCAST crew to talk the ideal syllabus for a monster studies course.
Reality of Horrors
Michael Chemers on “reality horror” on VOX POPCAST.
Werewolves
Josh Woods has Michael Chemers back to talk about werewolves on THE MONSTER PROFESSOR.
Comedy of Horror
Michael Chemers joins the VOX POPCAST crew on a very special Halloween episode to discuss comedy in horror films.
Young Monsters in Love
Michael Chemers joins VOX POPCAST for a very special Valentine’s Day episode.
Virtual Acting
Michael Chemers on digital artistry on VOX POPCAST.
Monster Mash 2
Michael Chemers is welcomed back to the VOX POPCAST studio for a continuing discussion of monsters.
Monster Mash
Michael Chemers’ first appearance on the smash podcast VOX POPCAST, talking about monsters and monster studies!
Game of Finales
Michael Chemers goes back on VOX POPCAST to discuss the Game of Thrones finale and finales in general.
The Real-Life Adventures of Tom Thumb
Michael Chemers is invited to the famous BOWERY BOYS podcast to discuss the life of the 19th century American actor Charles Stratton.
Monstrous Women and the Horror Gaze
Michael Chemers joins Samantha Langsdale with the regular team on VOX POPCAST to talk about the relationship of women to monsters and recap the 2023 Festival of Monsters.
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