Dave McCarty and Kevin Standlee, two key leaders of Worldcon Intellectual Property (WIP), the nonprofit responsible for the World Science Fiction Society’s service marks, have resigned from their positions following allegations of censorship in the 2023 Hugo Awards nomination process.

Leadership resignations and accountability measures

On January 30th, WIP officials disclosed the departures of McCarty and Standlee in an effort to address the growing discontent among the science fiction and fantasy community. McCarty, who served as a director, faced censure for “public comments that have led to harm of the goodwill and value of our marks and for actions of the Hugo Administration Committee of the Chengdu Worldcon that he presided over.”

Read: Hugo Awards controversy: R. F. Kuang’s Babel excluded

Meanwhile, Standlee, the board chair, received a reprimand for his public statements, which “mistakenly led people to believe that we are not servicing our marks.” McCarty also apologised on Facebook, saying sorry to the finalists, Worldcon, and Hugo Awards community.

The announcement also highlighted the censure of Chen Shi and Ben Yalow for their roles in the Chengdu Worldcon’s Hugo Administration Committee, signalling a broader accountability effort within the organisation. The disclosure of the nomination data on January 20th revealed the exclusion of several notable works, including R.F. Kuang’s “Babel,” from eligibility for the Hugo Awards, sparking widespread speculation and concern over potential censorship influences.

The Hugo Awards, celebrated as the pinnacle of achievement in the science fiction and fantasy genres, found themselves at the centre of controversy following the Chengdu Worldcon’s decisions. The 2023 convention, held in Chengdu, China, was marked by unprecedented rulings that disqualified certain authors and works from award consideration, leading to accusations of state or self-imposed censorship.

In response to the public outcry, including criticisms from esteemed authors Neil Gaiman and Silvia Moreno-Garcia, McCarty attempted to address concerns via social media, engaging in tense exchanges with the community. The situation was further complicated by Kuang’s critique of the nomination process, casting a shadow over the awards’ legitimacy. Gaiman called for reassurance over the voting process.

Commitment to transparency in future Hugo Awards processes

Amid the turmoil, the Glasgow Worldcon organising committee, set to host the 2024 convention, issued a statement committing to transparency in the Hugo Awards process, a move aimed at restoring trust in the awards’ integrity.

In the aftermath of the resignations and censures, Don Eastlake has been elected as the new WIP board chair, tasked with guiding the organisation through its current challenges and restoring its reputation within the sci-fi/fantasy community.

The recent events underscore the complexities and sensitivities involved in administering the Hugo Awards, particularly against the backdrop of global political and cultural considerations. As the World Science Fiction Society moves forward, the community’s call for openness and fairness in the awards process remains a central concern.