A panel of scientists sit at a table ready to talk about space.

A Different Sort of Conference

By Adam Jones

In academia, conferences provide the opportunity to rub elbows with peers who understand the work. The conferences are professional, but collegial. It’s a chance to self-promote, or a chance to form partnerships for future collaborations.

Two UA professors who participated at conference at Dragon con
Dr. William C. Keel and Dr. Julia A. Cartwright

Recently, two professors at The University of Alabama had a chance to attend a different sort of conference. Their aim was more outreach, to promote an interest in science outside their professional circles, perhaps even to those who come from a galaxy far, far away.

Dr. Julia A. Cartwright, UA assistant professor of geological sciences, and Dr. William C. Keel, UA professor of physics and astronomy, were both invited speakers on panel discussions at Dragon Con 2019.

It bills itself as “the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the universe.” Every year around Labor Day Dragon Con fills Atlanta with thousands upon thousands of people, many dressed as sci-fi and fantasy characters. Among its programs, which can range from puppetry to art classes to celebrity interactions, are panels and presentations from scientists and scholars discussing most any topic, and space is a popular track.

“Like space, academia can be a lonely place sometimes, especially in your niche area of research,” Cartwright said. “It was great to be around thousands of people interested in science from all ages and backgrounds.

“At Dragon Con, you can have a completely calm and natural conversation with someone dressed as Chewbacca,” she said, referencing the hairy, alien sidekick in the Star Wars franchise. “At our professional conferences, you get people in suits, but not that kind of suits.”

Cartwright, who studies meteorites and planet formation, spoke on three panels related to space and meteors along with a workshop on space designed for children. It was her first year to take part in Dragon Con.

“I would absolutely do it again,” she said. “It was an outreach event where I had the opportunity to enthuse all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds on science, and enhance the perception of meteorite studies. It was a privilege to be there, and also very humbling!”

Although it was her first year, this was Keel’s 15th year at Dragon Con.

“The organizers really value having scientists talking directly to the public,” he said. “It’s expanding our audience and reaching new people.”

At Dragon Con, the audiences are engaged, intently listening, and the topics can be more broad and provocative than talks at academic conferences, Keel said.

Also, even though it’s not a professional conference, Keel said he and students have made connections at Dragon Con that lead to professional collaboration. After all, he said, there are many in attendance who work in science, technology and engineering fields. They just happen to be dressed in costume.

“At a professional conference, the best questions are not asked by people with wings or fangs,” Keel said.