(blu-ray)Information about the Society
What is IFIS?
We are as you may have gathered by now, RHUL's sci-fi and fantasy society. Our aims are
- To promote an interest in the works and activities of sci-fi and fantasy
- Maintaining a library of sci-fi and fantasy books for our members to borrow in pursuit of the previous aim
- To have more fun than you can shake a lightsaber at
We have existed in one form or another since sometime in the 1970s when a group of students at Royal Holloway decided that they would regularly get together to enjoy their shared interests in sci-fi and fantasy. This group decided to call themselves IFIS - The Institute For Impure Science. After some time, the Student Union was formed in 1986 and IFIS became one of its the first societies.
Once part of the SU, things got a bit more formal and over the years we've had many different constitutions and committees. But that hasn't hampered us from still enjoying the things we love the most. We've built up a modest sized library for our members to read. We like watching sci-fi and fantasy movies and TV programmes.
But what does the name mean?!
There are a number of theories surrounding the origins of the name. One likely suggestion is that it's taken from the stories of R. A. Lafferty. An alternative is that it's meant to be sci-fi backwards (obviously lacking the C though). Generally though, it's because it's meant to be different and fun. As a society, we don't like to take things too seriously.
So what exactly do you get up to?
The best way to get an idea of what we get up to is to check out our events page. Or look at our mailing list archives to see what we're talking about at the moment.
You'll be surprised to find that we don't spend all our time discussing whether Picard or Janeway was the best Captain or who'd win a battle out of the Borg and a Death Star. Although they do get brought up now and then by new members, much to the despair of the regulars.
If we're not doing something you think the society should be doing, then let the committee know - they're always open to suggestions!
