Mel White

Known to her kids as "Indiana Mom", Dr. Mel. is a scientist, writer, artist, lecturer, storyteller, and former computer systems analyst who enjoys rockhounding, fossil hunting, and digging in the dirt with the Texas Archaeological Society. She moderates an Egyptology forum online and has been know to leap in with lengthy diatribes on Akhenaten. In her spare time she's busy writing the next book in the DUNCAN & MALLORY series.

3:00 PM | Location: Boomer B

Teaching a Robot to Be Kind: The Ethics of Autonomous Systems in Fiction and IRL

Autonomous systems are great at hard-coded inputs and pretty good at keeping the show on the road without a lot of oversight. As these systems begin to manage whole aspects of our society, how do we teach them to be ethical, despite our own less-than-perfect nature?

Moderator: Mel White

Panelists: Dara Fogel, PhD, Loretta McKibben, Mel White, Pigeon, Tim Frayser, William Ledbetter

Tracks: Culture & World Affairs, Science Fiction, STEM, Internet Life

5:00 PM | Location: Oklahoma HIJ presented by Robot House

Pirate Sing Along with Bad Bards and Beyond

Avast ye fen, there be filking and sea shantying in the main hall! Join the gleewomen of the Bad Bards and Beyond for this jaunty hour of music and more.

Moderator: Mel White

Panelists: Mel White, Melinda LaFevers

Tracks: Performing Arts, Music

7:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium

Literary Beers

Join panelists in the hotel lounge for lively conversation. BYO beverages, please.

Moderator:

Panelists: Chaotic Neutral Cosplay, Crazy Red Artist, Dara Fogel, PhD, Elizabeth Leggett, J.H. Fleming, Julie Barrett, Kent Cordray, Kimber E Chessmore, La Blanke, Mel White, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Rook Riley, Scott Zrubek, Shai Fenwick, Sherri Dean, Sue Sinor, Tall Chick Cosplay, William Ledbetter

Tracks: Meetup, General Interest, Writing & Publishing, Art

8:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Bedlam 2 Boardroom

Filk & Bardic Circle

Open Filk in the round. Come share songs, lyrics, and enjoy listening to filk-music favorites. BYO instruments. (2 hours)

Moderator: Mel White

Panelists: Mel White, Melinda LaFevers

Tracks: Performing Arts, Music

10:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room

Late Night Artists Chat

This is a chance for artists and fans to meet in a relaxed setting to talk all things art! Ask questions, share ideas, and socialize. (Hotel side, 2 hours.)

Moderator: Peri Charlifu

Panelists: A. Lee Martinez, Allison Stein, Caleb Masters, Creative Countess, Harold Neal, J.H. Fleming, Jan S. Gephardt, Kimber E Chessmore, Liz Campbell, Lollalotus, Mel White, Melinda LaFevers, Mike Kennedy, Peri Charlifu, Robert Daniels, Scott Zrubek, Sue Sinor, Terry Southard, THE james k burk, Tim Frayser, W. J. Hodgson

Tracks: Art, General Interest, Meetup

9:00 AM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Interior Courtyard - Atrium

Koffeeklatch

Join panelists in the hotel breakfast area for morning networking and conversation. BYO coffee, please.

Moderator:

Panelists: Craig Wolf, Crazy Red Artist, Daniel Erickson, Dara Fogel, PhD, David J. Pedersen, J.H. Fleming, John Allen Small, Julie Barrett, Kathleen M. O'Brien, Kevin Dilmore, Kimber E Chessmore, Liz Campbell, Loretta McKibben, Mace Kendu, Mel White, Mike Kennedy, Phillip Drayer Duncan, Rhonda Eudaly, Shai Fenwick, Tall Chick Cosplay, Tommy B. Smith, Trina Jacobs, vickey malone kennedy, William Ledbetter

Tracks: Meetup, General Interest

11:00 AM | Location: Oklahoma G

The Body in Art: Anatomy for Artists

The human body is complex and representing it in art is difficult. What should artists keep in mind when creating art based on the human and non-human body? Are there techniques, shortcuts, or tools to getting it right?

Moderator: Mel White

Panelists: Crazy Red Artist, Elizabeth Leggett, Jacob Blackmon, Mel White, Robert Wilson IV

Tracks: Art

1:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage

Egyptology: Akhenaten and Nefertiti

Hear the REAL story behind two of the most fascinating people in the ancient world, Akhenaten and the beautiful Nefertiti, and how they influenced the world!

Moderator: Mel White

Panelists: Mel White

Tracks: History, Culture & World Affairs

3:00 PM | Location: Sooner A

Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary

The iconic sci-fi television show's 60th anniversary is five months away. We'll share our theories if you'll share yours. Allons-y!

Moderator: Julie Barrett

Panelists: Allison Stein, Julie Barrett, Mel White, Rebecca Jackson, Tim Frayser

Tracks: Film & TV, Science Fiction, Pop Culture & Entertainment

4:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: JQH Boardroom presented by Morningstar Storage

Author Readings

Authors read selections from their various works.

Moderator: Madilynn Dale

Panelists: Bradley H Sinor, Madilynn Dale, Mel White, Sue Sinor

Tracks: Writing & Publishing

8:00 PM | Location: Embassy Hotel: Crimson Meeting Room

Filk & Bardic Circle

Open Filk in the round. Share your SF-inspired songs and jam along with others. BYO instruments. (4 hours)

Moderator: Melinda LaFevers

Panelists: Mel White, Melinda LaFevers

Tracks: Music, Meetup, Performing Arts, Writing & Publishing

10:00 AM | Location: Boomer A

Designing Your Fortress of Solitude or Evil Lair of Evil

Lay out the specs for your own supervillain (or hero) hideaway. In a volcano? On a satellite or the Moon? Get creative with anti-burglary tech. What would you display in your own Museum of Victory?

Moderator: Mel White

Panelists: Bradley H Sinor, James Hollaman, Mark Alfred, Mel White, Mike Kennedy, William Ledbetter

Tracks: Pop Culture & Entertainment, Writing & Publishing, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comics

Noon | Location: University C