World Con Dubin 2019
World con is the largest science fiction and fantasy convention in the world. And this year it’s in Dublin.
I’m so excited that I can announce that I’m part of the line up. It’s a real blend of my writing and professional life. Science and technology are a big part of the programme, alongside literature and media, and there’s even an academic programme running in parallel. While I’m mostly talking about things related to books and writing, I get to moderate a panel on AI with one of my colleagues from the ADAPT centre.
My book will be available for sale at the Books Go Social desk and I’m even down for an autographing session! The schedule is below. I hope to see you there!
Introduction to Irish SFF
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 14:00 - 14:50, Wicklow Hall-1 (CCD)
This panel is the ideal starting place for anyone unfamiliar with Irish SFF. There will be a brief overview of the genre as a whole and how it relates to Irish culture and history, as well as reading recommendations. Later in the convention there will be panels covering the topic in more detail from a variety of viewpoints.
Nick Larter (M), Máire Brophy, Jack Fennell, Ruth Frances Long
Does an AI need a body?
15 Aug 2019, Thursday 20:00 - 20:50, Liffey Hall-2 (CCD)
Does an AI need a body, or do we need to see an AI in a body to recognise it is ‘alive’ or sentient? Why are we so obsessed with assigning gender, or gender characteristics, to an entity that is basically a software spark in a hardware system that doesn’t rely upon organic reproductive systems?
Máire Brophy (M), Dave Lewis Maquel A. Jacob, Manny Frishberg
Well-meaning vs ‘plain dealing’ villains
19 Aug 2019, Monday 12:00 - 12:50, Wicklow Room-1 (CCD)
Villains come in many different guises. Characters like Marvel’s Thanos do terrible things for what they believe to be good reasons, whereas The Other Mother from Coraline is alien and terrifying. Do certain genres lend themselves to different types of villainy? Are villainous women held to a different standard than their male counterparts?
Russell Blackford (M), Máire Brophy, Lauren Roy, Paul Anthony Shortt (
Autographs: Monday at 10:00
19 Aug 2019, Monday 10:00 - 10:50, Level 4 Foyer (CCD)