Why witchcraft still matters: UBC research and courses on folklore and popular culture

On 21 October 2026 the University of British Columbia published a feature on Dr Sabina Magliocco (Department of Anthropology; Program in the Study of Religion) and Dr Kyle Frackman (Associate Professor, Central, Eastern and Northern European Studies). They describe how witchcraft endures as a research theme, offering insight into gender, cultural memory and contemporary practices. The article notes their teaching — 'Witches, Vampires, Zombies: Anthropology of the Supernatural' and 'Witches: Myth and Reality' — and discusses examples such as the figure of Baba Yaga, showing student interest in interdisciplinary study of folklore and popular media.