'Look What You Made Me Do'

Swiftposium was the world’s first academic conference about Taylor Swift. When the call for abstracts was announced last year, it attracted more than 400 submissions from over 75 universities around the world in 60 academic disciplines. Of those submissions, only 130 were chosen, Dr Potter's being one of them.

...Ready for It?

Taylor Swift is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the mid-2000s through her country music debut, but later transitioned to pop music. In 2023, she experienced an extraordinary year, reaching billionaire status, earning the title of Time’s Person of the Year, and launching the ground-breaking Eras Tour, a world-wide tour which has set records. Taylor’s achievements extend beyond her musical prowess, as she’s an astute businesswoman who is adept at navigating the complexities of the music industry.

Taylor Swift’s impact the focus for academic ‘Swiftposium’ | ABC News

Swiftposium

As the world's first academic conference about Taylor Swift, it served as a platform for scholars from around the world to delve into the far-reaching aspects of Taylor Swift’s cultural significance and to critically explore how she has influenced contemporary life.

The conference facilitated critical and rigorous discussions about Taylor’s influence on a myriad of societal facets, such as research covering music, gender dynamics, fandom, popular culture, healthcare, societal and cultural spheres, literature, economics, and legal perspectives pertaining to Taylor’s music and life.

Taylor Swift by GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0

I Knew You Were Trouble.

"As an academic specialising in copyright, what has astonished me is Swift’s ability to navigate the music industry by reclaiming ownership and artistic authority over her initial six albums by re-recording them. These reimagined versions, dubbed 'Taylor’s Version”, underscore her commitment to asserting control over her creative work and preserving its integrity. My presentation spoke about the intellectual property reasons and the story behind 'Taylor’s Version'", says Dr Potter.

I realised the Swiftposium would be a unique opportunity to participate in insightful academic discussions about Taylor Swift’s impact upon the music industry from an Intellectual Property and Copyright perspective. It provided me with the opportunity to learn more about Swift’s wider impact upon literature, pop-culture and the economy through scholarly critical analysis."

The Swiftposium was organised collaboratively by academics from six prestigious universities across Australia and New Zealand. It began with a 'Fanposium', which was an opportunity for the public to engage with a panel of academics after watching the 'Miss Americana' documentary about Taylor Swift’s life.

"On the Sunday evening, I attended a public-facing panel which explored Swift, feminism and the music industry. This featured Dr Kate Neal, Kate Pattison, Eilish Gilligan and was moderated by Georgie Tunny. It was held at the Edge at Federation Square. I had never been there before, so I was astounded by the architecture."

Swiftposium was hosted by Federation Square at The Edge in Melbourne.

Swiftposium program and bracelets.

"My presentation seemed to be very well received. The audience was genuinely interested in the story of “Taylor’s Version” from an intellectual property and copyright perspective and what we can learn from Taylor Swift about contracts and the music industry. There were about 30 people in the room, which was excellent, considering there were five other sessions that were running at the same time.

There were three presentations - including Dr Potter's - and each were given 15 minutes. They all included a 45 minute Q&A panel, where audience members could engage in discussion with the panelists.

Some of the audience at Dr Potter's session.

Some of the audience at Dr Potter's session.

Female academic presenting her research PowerPoint from a podium.

Dr Wellett Potter presenting at Swiftposium

Enchanted

"Throughout the last 18 years," says Dr Potter, "I have been to many conferences, either as a presenter or participant. And I can certainly say that I had the most fun that I have ever experienced at an academic event. However, despite having fun, I want to emphasise the rigour of the research that was presented. The academic rigour maintained throughout was exceptional; challenging any preconceived notions about the quality of research presented. The depth and breadth of interdisciplinary research showcased at this event were truly impressive, demonstrating the profound implications of Swift’s influence across various fields."

However, what distinguished the conference for Dr Potter was not only the scholarly discourse, but also the camaraderie and respect in the atmosphere. Many delegates were serious 'Swifties' and enjoyed lively discussion and academic debate about Swift.

Breaks were enlivened with Swift’s music, fostering a sense of shared enjoyment and connection. Furthermore, the inclusion of friendship bracelet stations during breaks added a unique and light-hearted dimension to the event, encouraging networking and collaboration among attendees.

Swiftposium programme and friendship bracelet.

Swiftposium programme and friendship bracelet.

"It was also noteworthy to observe how delegates’ attire often paid homage to Swift’s iconic wardrobe, injecting an element of fun and creativity into the proceedings," says Dr Potter. "This blend of academic excellence, camaraderie, and playful engagement underscored the conference’s success in bridging rigorous scholarship with a vibrant and inclusive environment.

This conference was a credit to the organisers and I wish to publicly thank them for their very hard work."

Bejeweled

Eras Tour Concert, Melbourne Cricket Ground.

What is the purpose of using Taylor Swift as a focus for research?

Is there a benefit to conducting a 'Taylor Swift analysis'?

Taylor Swift - Shake It Off, 2014.

"Taylor Swift is a globally recognised figure with a wide-reaching and diverse fanbase and cultural influence. Researchers can capture the attention and interest of a wide audience by using her as a focal point. The engagement can lead to increased exposure and dissemination of research findings.

Dr Potter presenting at the Swiftposium USA Today panel.

Dr Potter presenting at the Swiftposium USA Today panel.

Also, Swift’s impact extends across many and varied disciplines, as evidenced by this conference and the depth and scope of research. Her mainstream appeal makes her a familiar entry point for exploring complex concepts and theories, making scholarly discourse more accessible to a wider audience.

I would also like to sincerely and publicly thank the UNE School of Law for supporting me in presenting at this conference."

Epilogue - Stolen Lullabies

Dr Potter's Swiftposium Presentation Abstract:

‘You Hear My Stolen Lullabies’: What Taylor Swift Can Teach Us About the Music Industry, Contracts, Intellectual Property, Song Ownership and the Struggle for Artistic Control

In recent years, the music industry has witnessed profound transformation, largely due to the digital revolution and streaming platforms. Amidst this shift, Taylor Swift, an iconic artist and songwriter, has emerged as a prominent figure in the complex landscape of intellectual property (‘IP’) and copyright law. This presentation aims to delve into Swift's remarkable journey through the lens of IP, shedding light on her artistic evolution and the influence of the law on her career.

Swift's career is a testament to the power of song-writing and the challenges faced by artists in the digital age. As one of the most successful and prolific songwriters of her generation, she has not only captured the hearts of millions with her music, but has also navigated the often turbulent waters of the music industry, particularly in terms of ownership and control over her creative output.

The presentation will explore several critical issues, including Swift's experiences with record label contracts, her highly publicised battle with Scooter Braun over song rights and master recordings, and her decision to re-record her early albums (known as Taylor’s Version). These experiences underscore the broader dilemmas faced by artists and songwriters concerning the rights to their own work in an industry where IP has become increasingly valuable.

Swift's journey provides a case study for understanding the complex interplay between freedom of creative expression, the struggle for artistic control, contractual agreements, and IP. By examining Swift’s experiences and decisions, valuable insight can be gained into the challenges that modern artists face in an evolving digital music industry, and the broader implications for IP and copyright law.

Dr Potter sitting on USA Today Swiftposium panel.