Star Trek

In this special Star Trek Day episode on the New Books Network, hosted by Dessy Vassileva from Vernon Press, we celebrate over 55 years of Star Trek with a deep dive into the book Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier (Vernon Press, 2023). Co-editors Emily Strand and Amy H. Sturgis join the discussion to explore how Star Trek has shaped science fiction and contributed to broader academic and cultural conversations around speculative fiction.

The anthology, unlike many works that focus on specific parts of the franchise or narrow perspectives, offers a multidisciplinary look at Star Trek, with contributions from scholars across disciplines. From the franchise’s 1966 debut to its latest incarnations, the book covers its influence on fandom, its philosophical and societal implications, and its exploration of contemporary issues such as post-humanism and conspiracy theories in Voyager. The co-editors emphasize Star Trek’s unique ability to address diverse topics and inspire action, both in academic circles and fan communities.

The origins of the book trace back to an invitation from Vernon Press, when Emily approached Amy for a collaboration that eventually resulted in two separate volumes—one on Star Wars and one on Star Trek. Both books have garnered significant academic interest, and the co-editors aimed to create works accessible to scholars, students, and fans alike.

In this episode, Amy and Emily also reflect on their personal journeys into science fiction, from Amy’s early exposure to Star Trek through her family, to Emily’s adult discovery of the franchise after a passion for speculative fiction ignited by Harry Potter. Their conversation highlights Star Trek’s ability to continue resonating with global audiences, addressing issues of diversity, social justice, and human potential in an ever-evolving narrative universe.

Listeners interested in the sister volume on Star Wars can check out the related podcast episode here: Star Wars: Essays Exploring a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Impactful Quotes and Context:

 "Science fiction is where the ideas are the heroes." (Amy H. Sturgis)
Amy highlights how science fiction, particularly Star Trek, puts ideas at the center, using them as protagonists that guide both the narrative and the intellectual exploration of the series.

"Star Trek gives viewers and fans an experience of transcendence." (Emily Strand)
Emily explains how Star Trek provides a sense of transcendence and belonging to something larger, without the negative baggage that can sometimes be associated with religion, highlighting the importance of the Federation and Starfleet in this context.

"Diversity actually leads to greater innovation." (Emily Strand)
Emily, inspired by a personal interaction, argues that diversity is an integral part of human innovation, a recurring and fundamental theme in Star Trek.

"Seven of Nine... is consistently challenging audiences to think about broader notions of identity." (Amy H. Sturgis)
Amy highlights the importance of Seven of Nine in the Star Trek narrative as a central figure who continues to challenge traditional notions of identity and self-determination, while maintaining her relevance in contemporary discourse.

"Star Trek doesn’t just want us to watch it or read it. Star Trek invites us to act." (Amy H. Sturgis)
Amy emphasizes that Star Trek not only seeks to entertain, but also to inspire action and participation from its audience, fostering a participatory culture.

These quotes underscore the central themes and perspectives in Star Trek: Essays Exploring the Final Frontier, reflecting both the show's commitment to diversity and inclusion and its ability to inspire through transcendent ideas and engaging narratives.

Vernon Press – Bridging Scholarly Ideas and Global Readership

Vernon Press stands out as a bilingual independent publisher of scholarly books in the humanities and social sciences. Their mission is crucial — to provide a home for ideas of international importance and to embrace scholarship from underrepresented voices and perspectives. Through its diverse catalog, Vernon Press engages with global readers, contributing to academic and public discourse.

Dessy Vassileva, the Marketing & Design expert at Vernon Press, brings a 360º multidisciplinary approach to her work at Vernon Press.