What are Panels?
For those who may be new to convention lingo, panels are generally discussion-based events that have a group made up of one or more participants that present on a prepared topic. These topics can span the entire realm of popular culture and may, or may not, include a moderator and/or audience participation. These panels can be academic in nature or may include live interactive activities such as “quick draw” drawing requests or author readings and other moderated discussions.
Panels are typically 50 minutes long, scheduled in a 60 minute time slot and suitable for an all-ages audience.
Our committee is looking for creative and original programming to feature in our panels. Any submitted panel is tentative until officially approved and you will be notified via email regarding your proposal. We are excited to review any and all panel submission but cannot guarantee programming.
HerdCon 2026 Panel Schedule
|
Time
|
Room 2W16
|
Room 2W22
|
|
10:00 AM
|
What the Heck is a Glaive?: The Real World Weapons of Fantasy Roleplaying — Dr. Jamie Slaughter
|
The Batman: Gotham’s Witness (Fan Film Showcase) — Noah Munique, with Bailey Todd, Jack Sanchez, TwizzyTrap
|
|
11:00 AM
|
JPN 101 for Anime Fans — Dr. Nacky Anderson
|
Atomic Age of Kaiju — Paul Sebert
|
|
12:00 PM
|
Teaching and Pop Culture — COL/P Stephanie Walker, Dr. Nacky Anderson, Jillian Hovatter
|
The History and Styles of the Seven Lightsaber Forms of the Star Wars Universe — Jeff Norton & The Outer Rim Praxeum Lightsaber School
|
|
1:00 PM
|
Cosplay Contest (No Panels)
|
Cosplay Contest (No Panels)
|
|
2:00 PM
|
HOLY PROPAGANDA, BATMAN! ARE COMIC BOOKS POLITICAL? — Dr. Bill Bissett & Dr. Marc Ellison
|
Fan Fiction: How to Write And Read It Without Shame — Stephen Bias, Amanda Hooser, Caitlyn Pace
|
|
3:00 PM
|
Taking a Bite Out of Pop Culture (Again): The Exciting Return of Cinematic Vampires — Dr. Cody Lumpkin, Professor Ian Nolte, Meghan Sexton‑Harness; Moderator: Cody Lumpkin
|
Teaching with Graphic Novels! — Wesley Gift
|
|
4:00 PM
|
Wrestling with Appalachian Horror Featuring Memories of the Late Danny Boyd — Bill Bitner
|
To see panels from Herdcon’s past, click here!