Yes, this is for real. We are a group of scientists, humanities scholars, artists, medical doctors and policy experts who come together every two years for a meeting about zombies and the apocalypse.

The Zombie Apocalypse Medicine Alliance defines a zombie as "An individual whose physiology and behavior are (fully or partially) under the control of a genetically distinct individual or population of individuals."

The Zombie Apocalypse Medicine Alliance defines that apocalypse as catastrophes that pose significant risk to human life and health, forcing us to reckon with the reality of our underlying risk.  

Zombie Apocalypse Medicine is a theoretically grounded approach to understanding and treating disease in extreme conditions. These conditions include post-disaster environments, challenging ecological settings such as high altitude and extreme cold, social conditions conditions characterized by mind control and manipulation and scenarios characterized by highly contagious infectious disease. We employ theoretical frameworks including genetic conflict theory, game theory, evolutionary theory, and adaptationism in order to understand how humans and other species have evolved to counter both the physical challenges of apocalyptic conditions and psychological challenges of zombie mind control.

No, zombies arise from complex interactions between the genetics of the susceptible individual (host) and the genetics of the individual (or population of individuals) that takes full or partial control of the susceptible individual. Research is currently underway to elucidate the co-evolutionary dynamics underlying zombie susceptibility genes in hosts and corresponding zombie promotion genes in parasites.

Humans and most other species have been shaped by billions of years of zombie resistance evolution. Zombie resistance evolution is a co-evolutionary process wherein hosts evolve mechanisms of resistance to mind control/manipulation and parasites evolve increasingly sophisticated strategies in response. This evolutionary arms-race means that hosts must continue evolving in response to manipulation strategies. In other words, we are always on the run. We utilize computational modeling, genomics and evolutionary methods to quantify these dynamics and test alternative treatment strategies.
 

Zombies arise when one individual succumbs to control by a genetically distinct individual or population of individuals. If the fitness interests of the host and controller are sufficiently aligned (either because of genetic similarity or sources of fitness interdependence), the resulting zombie may actually become capable of achieving even higher levels of fitness than would be possible in the absence of infection. Theoretical models suggest that becoming a super-fit zombie may be an effective zombie resistance strategy. Research is underway to determine whether humans and other species have undergone positive selection to become super-fit zombies in order to counter the constantly evolving zombie threat.

The Zombie Apocalypse Medicine Alliance (ZAMA) is committed to providing a positive and respectful environment for humans, zombies and all other monsters. This means creating and maintaining an environment at the Zombie Apocalypse Medicine Meeting (ZAMM) that is free of coercion, discrimination, cannibalism, harassment and any other non-consensual zombification dynamics. ZAMA’s mission includes reducing the global burden of zombification and that begins at our meetings. All participants are expected to be respectful to individual autonomy, engage in constructive professional discussion and help create an environment that is inclusive and equitable to all participants.

ZAMA is dedicated to supporting and cultivating diversity in all its forms: interdisciplinary diversity, microbial diversity and the many dimensions of human diversity. By participating in ZAMM you are agreeing to provide equal opportunity and treatment to all other participants regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, political beliefs, age, marital status, sexual orientation, physical features, disabilities, veteran status, or any other reason. You are also agreeing to refrain from any and all forms of harassment, including unwelcome words, actions, gestures, symbols, attention, or behavior. You agree to refrain from using zombification tactics including aggressive pressure, offensive behavior, face eating, intimidation, physical or verbal abuse, persecution, force; coercion, or hostility of a sexual, social, or other nature. ZAMM is not the place for testing or utilizing your capacities to zombify other humans through your resources, power, physical formidability or irresistible charisma.

If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment or coercive zombification attempts, should notify the ZAMM conference chair (Athena Aktipis, aktipis@asu.edu) or contact a ZAMM program committee member (anyone at http://www.zombiemed.org/#conference-program). Such communications, and the identities of the parties involved, will be kept in confidence to the extent that it does not compromise the rights of other individuals. After ZAMM staff have been notified, they will first discuss the details with the person making the complaint, then with any witnesses, and then with the alleged offender, before determining appropriate action. All reports will be treated and investigated seriously and promptly.

Persons who act contrary to the values and expectations expressed in this policy statement may be warned, or asked to leave the event in which the behavior occurred; may be excluded from access to current and/or future ZAMM conferences and/or other events; and/or may be subject to other appropriate disciplinary or corrective action, at the discretion of ZAMM. In other words, don’t be an asshole or you will be asked to leave.

Apocalypse Casual. Zombies welcome.