My Dublin Worldcon Schedule!

Are you coming to Worldcon? So are Spacedog and I!

What follows is our schedule for the weekend. If you’d like to have a meeting with me, please let me know via the contact form on this website!

All the Universe’s a Stage…

Format: Panel

16 Aug 2019, Friday 2:00 - 2:50, Liffey Room-1 (CCD)

…and all the men and women (and robots, and wizards) merely players. William Shakespeare was a Jedi master at creating characters and building tension on stage. What can he teach us about how to craft a compelling genre character, and how to make completely unrealistic situations and people feel real, given the limitations of whatever medium we choose?

Representation of Marginalised People in Games

Format: Panel

16 Aug 2019, Friday 4:00 - 4:50, ECOCEM Room (CCD)

In recent years there has been a lot of discussion about representation of women in games, but issues of representation and experience still need greater attention across the industry. How diverse and inclusive is gaming today? What should we know and what can we do?

Inclusive Costuming

Format: Panel

17 Aug 2019, Saturday 1:00 - 1:50, Liffey Room-1 (CCD)

A discussion of design ideas and clothing and prop construction to accommodate those with mobility, visual, tactile, or other sensory concerns, and those who use mobility or medical aids. The panellists will come up with ways for everyone to look fabulous without compromising safety and comfort.

Tabletop Games as Educational Tools

Format: Panel

18 Aug 2019, Sunday 10:00 - 10:50, Wicklow Room-3 (CCD)

Tabletop games have been successfully used in classroom environments as a fun and exciting method of teaching. In this panel we will explore the use of games in this setting and talk about specific games that have been successful in the past.

Imagining Disabled Futures

Format: Panel

18 Aug 2019, Sunday 2:00 - 2:50, Wicklow Room-1 (CCD)

Speculative fiction has always shaped the conversation about our future. The dearth of solid, accurate depictions of disability, or even hints of disability in worldbuilding affects how we imagine. How do we build a speculative future for inclusion of disability? How can SFF stop harming disabled readers? How will disability change in a world with constantly evolving technology? There's a whole future out there, and disabled people will be there.

Neurodiversity and Extraordinary Powers in SFF

Format: Panel

18 Aug 2019, Sunday 4:00 - 4:50, Wicklow Hall 2B (CCD)

The inclusion of neurodivergent characters in fiction plays an important role in normalisation, but if the depictions are themselves problematic then they can further harmful stereotypes. The panel will discuss representation of neurodiversity in media, where it's done well and where it's problematic, and how they would like to see neurodiverse characters written.

And then I will be at the Hugo Awards, in a gorgeous ballgown with a guide dog at my side! Wish me luck!