Program Type:
Featured- Registration is encouraged for this event.
- Registration is no longer available for this event.
Program Description
Event Details
Comic-Con International and San Diego Public Library have teamed up for the Comic Conference for Educators and Librarians (CCEL). This FREE five-day conference will take place at the San Diego Central Library during Comic-Con® from July 23-27, and will explore the role comics play in promoting education and literacy for all ages. Those in the library and education fields are invited to learn creative and exciting ways to incorporate comics and other popular arts into their work. Through presentations and panel discussions, the Conference hopes to engage the community and promote comics as a medium for learning.
Seating is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is for interest only and does not guarantee a seat.
=============================================
Please join us for the following Higher Ed Day panels at CCEL on Sunday, July 27th:
10:00–11:00 | GeekEd: Our Heroes and Villains Era
Higher ed is under attack by powerful forces. Educators discuss how the lessons they’ve learned about how to face villainy in comic books, movies, and popular culture inform the fight they are currently facing in continuing to educate college students. The panel is moderated by Dr. Alfred Day (UC Berkeley) and features Monroe Gorden (UCLA), Luis Corrales (UCLA), Joshua Mayfield (UCLA), Greedley Harris (USC), and Dr. Steve Sutton (UC Berkeley).
11:00–12:00 | GeekEd: Mr. Stark, I Don't Feel So Good
From the death of the Waynes, Eleven’s upbringing, or everything that Steven Universe had to deal with, traumatic experience is a part of so many narratives. Higher-education professionals discuss how being trauma-informed helps their work with students and how they use these stories to reach through the trauma of the real world. Moderated by Dr. Alfred Day (UC Berkeley), with Alison Cares (University of Central Florida), Emilie Mitchell (UC Berkeley), Jaylen Christie (University of Central Florida), and Sabrina Van Zuiden (UC Berkeley).
12:00–1:00 | GeekEd: Geek Out, Breathe In: Using Pop Culture to Support Mental Health on Campus
Fandoms, films, video games, comics, and other elements of pop culture can be powerful tools for connection, coping, and conversation around mental health. This panel brings together six clinical psychologists in higher education who use pop culture as a bridge to talk about emotional well-being in ways that are fun, relatable, and deeply impactful. Whether it’s finding comfort in a favorite character’s storyline, bonding over shared fandoms, or drawing strength from fictional worlds, they’ll dive into how geeking out can help you breathe a little easier—and bring mental health support to the forefront of campus culture. Featuring Dr. Christine Catipon (Stanford University), Dr. Drea Letamendi (UCLA), Dr. Helen Hsu (Stanford University), Dr. Donte Bernard (University of Missouri), Dr. Suan Stapatyanon (UC Irvine), and Dr. Danny Martinez (UCLA).
1:00–2:00 | GeekEd: Hanging Up the Cape
Late nights, second phones, and responding to crisis after crisis can add up overtime, even for the greatest heroes. Much like Captain America and Rupert Giles, higher-education professionals are rethinking their career paths and roles on campus and pivoting to focus on self-care while still finding ways to impact students. Featuring Dr. Martha Enciso (University of Redlands), Dr. Sofia B. Pertuz (Mainstream Insight, LLC), Dr. Emily Sandoval (University of Southern California), and Brian MacDonald (UCLA). Moderated by Dr. Glenn DeGuzman (UC Berkeley).
2:00–3:00 | How Libraries Help Promote Creators
Dr. Phoenix Alexander (librarian for science fiction and fantasy, UC Riverside), Daryl A. Maxwell (adult librarian at Los Angeles Public Library), Moni Barrette (comics librarian/2023 Eisner Awards judge), Lauren Salerno (writer and former Los Angeles public librarian), and Misty Jones (city librarian/director, San Diego Public Library) discuss programs and promotional opportunities available at libraries, such as inclusion into library systems and library lists, recommendations, special promotions, local author advocacy, and more. Moderated by Eric J. Guignard (author, A Graveside Gallery).
=============================================
Comic-Con badge-holders with valid single same-day or four-day badges are welcome to attend and are not required to register.
In addition to CCEL, San Diego Public Library hosts themed San Diego Comic-Con programming leading up to and through the days of the conference. Please visit our website for more information.