DePaul Pop Culture Conference attendees look over items for sale

DePaul Pop Culture Conference

About the Conference

The DePaul Pop Culture Conference is an annual fan/academic event at DePaul University. Bringing together fans, scholars, and media makers from around the world, each conference focuses on a specific theme in popular culture and cult media. Past topics include Disney, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Supernatural, and Doctor Who.

A keynote speaker nominates a charity for the conference to support each year. Attendees, speakers and fans can donate to the charity in a number of ways: silent auction, baked goods, monetary contributions or t-shirt sales. All together, the conference has raised over $6,000 for various charities, including the ACLU, Full Flood Endowment Fund, and Equality Now.

2026 DePaul Pop Culture Conference

​Save the Date! The 2026 DePaul Pop Culture Conference will be held on May 2, 2026 with the theme "Re-mixing Pop Music." Submit presentation proposals and stay up to date with conference details at ​​popcultureconference.com.​

Graphic of 2026 Pop Culture Conference Theme Remixing Pop Music

2025 DePaul Pop Culture Conference 

Pop Culture Conference 2025

"Reading Reality TV," held on May 3, 2025 on DePaul's Loop campus, was an exciting program of panels, keynotes, workshops, and fun events. Proceeds from the conference benefited the nonprofit newsroom Pro Publica.

"Reading Reality TV" Photo Gallery​

Over 200 attendees enjoyed a wide array of sessions and activities during the 2025 DePaul Pop Culture Conference, themed “Reading Reality Television.” Photo credit: Will Robson/DePaul Student Photo Agency.

Award-winning author and TV critic Emily Nussbaum, a keynote speaker at the 2025 DePaul Pop Culture Conference, shares a moment with conference founder and College of Communication Associate Dean Paul Booth. Photo credit: Walter Podrazik.

Attendees choose between dozens of speakers, panels, and activities during the daylong conference, "Reading Reality TV." Photo credit: Will Robson/DePaul Student Photo Agency.

Author and podcast host Chad Kultgen with conference attendees. Klutgen was a keynote speaker during the 2025 DePaul Pop Culture Conference. Photo credit: Will Robson/DePaul Student Photo Agency.

Nick Thompson, cast member of “Love is Blind” Season 2, founder of the UCAN Foundation, and executive producer of the film “HIM.” Photo credit: Will Robson/DePaul Student Photo Agency.

Conference attendees perused offerings from participating merchants on Vendor’s Row between sessions. Photo credit: Will Robson/DePaul Student Photo Agency.

Morgan Hall of Morgan Illustrates demonstrates her skills. Hall was one of many participants on Vendor’s Row during the conference. Photo credit: Will Robson/DePaul Student Photo Agency.