Zombies in Contemporary Culture

Journeys, Bodies, Pandemics and Politics

Author: Conor Heffernan, Emma Tonkin and Linda Flores Ohlson Series: Horror Studies

Hardcover

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21st January 2026

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Hardcover

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Description

Building on previous zombie studies scholarship, this ghoulish collection examines how the undead reflect and contribute to contemporary social anxieties, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The contributors to this volume advance the theoretical framework of 'zombiism' through four interconnected themes journeys, bodies, pandemics and politics and their writings analyse diverse media representations of zombies across literature, film, television and material culture, offering new perspectives on how zombie narratives engage issues of travel restrictions, political breakdowns, racial tensions and sexual taboos. By bringing together scholars from various fields, the volume demonstrates the continuing relevance of zombies as a lens for understanding contemporary societal challenges, from public health crises to rising far-right politics and ongoing culture wars; its interdisciplinary approach not only enriches zombie studies but also reveals how the figure of the zombie remains a vital tool for analysing pressing issues in the humanities and beyond.

About the Author

Conor Heffernan is a lecturer in the sociology of sport at Ulster University. Emma Tonkin is a research fellow at the University of Bristol. Linda Flores Ohlson is an assistant professor of Spanish linguistics at the University of Gothenburg.