The first-ever European conference on the music of Taylor Swift is taking place at The University of Kent today.
Lecturers, academics and students are exploring the singer as a major feminist voice in the 21st century.
Titled ''F*** the Patriarchy": A Taylor Swift Conference, it is running until 5pm at the Canterbury campus.
Attendees are analysing her role as a songwriter and creative, unpacking her legal cases and examining her position as a queer icon.
Academics from around the world are attending, as well as “Swifties” - the term given for die-hard fans of the 34-year-old American.
Conference organiser Dr Claire Hurley – a lecturer in American and 20th-century literature – said: “Taylor Swift is one of the most important women of the 21st century, not only in her music production, but also in her entrepreneurial and cultural dominance.
“It is high time universities recognised her significant place in contemporary culture, and this conference does just that.
“‘This is an exciting way to showcase academic work while acknowledging students’ wider interests.”
The event is open to all and free to attend.
Swift has taken the world by storm since her first two albums in 2006.
She is the most streamed artist on Spotify and the world’s highest-grossing female touring act.
The conference is also hosting the first-ever academic discussion of her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, which was released on April 19.
Kent student and conference assistant Harmony Ali-Brown added: “Taylor is such an important role model; her lyrics resonate with me so deeply.
“Her discography is so impressive and enchanting that a conference solely on her and her work is like a dream for any Swiftie.”
