The Call for 2025 Panelists is now open through Tuesday, November 4th.
Want to participate in discussion panels at Chicago TARDIS? Let us know what panels you’d like to sign up for at this year’s con! Scroll to the bottom of this page to fill out the submission form. You can also go directly to the Google form to submit your ideas.
Please take some time to read the panel descriptions below before filling out the panel form to fully understand each panel topic:
Doctor Who-Focused Panels
The Evolution of the Doctor Who Novelisation from 1964-1975
This panel explores the early development of Doctor Who novelisations, tracing their growth from standalone publishing experiments to a beloved and influential extension of the TV series. Beginning with the first novelization ” Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks" (1964) we look at how these books introduced the Doctor to new audiences, especially in an era before home video. The session also addresses the importance of the Target Books range (launched in the early 1970s) and its impact on literacy, fandom, and the preservation of lost episodes.
Gallifrey Ad Nauseam
The home of the Time Lords has been many things: a cosmic terror, a shadowy colonial power, a goofy bureaucracy, and a pile of rubble. This panel, in affiliation with the Gallifrey Ad Nauseam podcast, discusses the evolution of this planet and society throughout all Whoniverse media and what cultural trends, anxieties, and fixations each iteration of Gallifrey might reflect.
Spotlight On: Susan Foreman
What do we know about this Unearthly Child? Our panel unravels her stories across TV, print & audio.
Oncoming Storm: Dichotomy Within the Doctor
Through clips and quotes we'll understand the dark side of the Doctor better, especially what makes him violate his normal ethical boundaries. We'll debate what situations are most likely to trigger this behavior, discuss the companions' influence on the Doctor's less moral actions, and consider how the audience reacts to one of the best-loved heroes in British fiction acting in ways contrary to his typical pacifism. Answers from brand new interviews with actor Sophie Aldred and writer Paul Magrs will be shared with the attendees.
Spotlight On: Winston Churchill PM and Alternate Emperor
Celebrating 40 years in The Whoniverse (wait, what?) Yes, he's been crossing paths with The Doctor numerous times. Here's a look at those meetings.
Spotlight On: The Ninth Doctor
Celebrating 20 years of adventures on TV, in print, and on audio. A look back at the Ninth Doctor stories, from a certain point of view.
Doctor Who Novelizations New and Future
An updated look at Doctor Who novelizations, including discussion on the latest releases and what we might like to see in the future.
Let's Talk Console Rooms!
Steven Moffat described the Console Room as the most important set in the show that is barely used. There have been many console rooms over the years. Which ones did we like best, and why? Which elements of a console room work best for you? What would you like to see in a future console room?
We Refer To You...A Lot
Doctor Who reference books have been around for 60 years. Here's a look at some that you might know, and others you might not.
Spotlight On: Jamie McCrimmon
Born in 1724, he is a Highlander, but not immortal. His stories through time in space cover TV, print & audio. We look back at those adventures.
Are We Sonic Enough Yet?
A sonic discussion! What can it do? What can't it do? Is the Sonic Screwdriver over-used in new Who, was it over-used in classic Who, is it time to give it a rest?
The First Ten Years
We'll always set aside some time to talk about the first three Doctor eras - join us as we cover everything from Barbara and Ian bursting into the TARDIS in 1963 to the Third Doctor regenerating in UNIT HQ in 1974.
The Victorian Doctor
From the Doctor's very first outfit to certain TARDIS interiors, this eccentric Time Lord has shown an affinity for the Victorian Era. Over the regenerations, the Doctor has had many travels in the 19th century. Join us for a retrospective as we revisit and analyze some of the most notable Victorian adventures.
Spotlight On: Steven Taylor
This panel will discuss the life and times of Steven Taylor, a character who regrettably has a lot of material missing from the Doctor Who archives. We'll discuss his onscreen appearances, appearances in expanded media, and what we think are his best stories. Most recently seen in the Memory TARDIS with Vicki...what is the potential for the character in the future?
What's New for the Second Doctor
The Doctor is beyond his trial, but he hasn't been exiled to Earth. What's going on and how will it end? In this panel we discuss Big Finish's line of 2nd Doctor Adventures and discuss where it comes from, what the important events are, and where we think it's going.
The Rani: 40 Years of Mad Science
1985 welcomed the introduction of another renegade Time Lord. Celebrating 40 years, we look back at The Rani's encounters with The Doctor.
Big Finish - They Love Stories
Providing audio dramas and more for over 25 years, this is a look at the enduring company's continuing output.
Spotlight On: The Fugitive Doctor
The Fugitive Doctor, a previously unknown incarnation of our main character, with a mysterious past. We discuss their adventures so far, on TV, in print & on audio.
Spotlight On: Big Finish Characters
There are many long-running Doctor Who characters with either most or all of their appearances in the realm of Big Finish audios, such as Irving Braxiatel, Narvin, Evelyn Smythe, Bev Tarrant, and more. We will look at some of these characters and discuss their merits.
Companion Piece
In this panel we'll discus the recently revived Companion Chronicles. We'll talk about what makes the range unique, our favorite episodes, and what we hope from the future of the range.
LGBTQWho
A revival of the popular panel that is now long-running. An exploration of the current queer fan landscape of Doctor Who as well as our current feelings about the future of the show, and why it is important to have on-going queer media visibility in a long-running TV show - now more than ever.
Classic Doctor Who as a Document of Imperial Colonialism
A look at how the show mirrored Britain's fading empire. Alien planets became stand-ins for colonized lands, with the Doctor cast as both liberator and meddler. Stories about "primitive" species, resource grabs, and paternalistic interventions echo colonial myths while occasionally critiquing them. The result is a series that reveals as much, perhaps more, about post-imperial Britain as it does about time travel.
All Things Holiday Specials!
A panel (and the room) will be given a list of every Holiday special. We will go down the list and discuss each episode, how it is rated as a Doctor Who, episode and how it is rated as a Holiday special. The goal will be to crown the top three holiday specials.
Companions: A Queer Story
Captain Jack Harkness, River Song, Yasmin "Yaz" Kahn, Bill Potts, Oliver Harper, Tania Bell and many more both in the show and the Audio Dramas by Big Finish. Let's take some time to discuss these amazing people and why thir representation in the Doctor Who Universe is so important.
The Eve of the War (Between the Land and the Sea)
Sometime next year, Doctor Who fans will be treated to the first television spin-off series since Class in 2016. What can we expect from the series? Will the Modern Who UNIT characters get their moment in the spotlight as leads of their own series? How will the Sea Devils fare in their second TV appearance this century and are fans looking forward to the series? Join the panel for all this and more.
Mind the Gaps - Wrong Answers Only
Throughout the many years of Doctor Who, there have been the occasional continuity gap, or loose thread that just got left alone and never resolved. Let's make it all fit neatly together! But here's the twist - everything we suggest will be wrong, and hopefully hilarious. This is like the Liar's Panel meets the Continuity Panels! Bring your most outlandish explanation for the story points that have left us scratching our heads!
There's How Many Shadas?
In a different world, Doctor Who's 17th season would have ended in early 1980 with the six-part serial Shada, written by Douglas Adams. Instead, over the last 45 years, Shada has earned something of a legendary reputation and been produced time and again across different media with the aim of completing it at last. Between novelizations, reconstructions, audio dramas, and animation, our panel chronicles the history of this adventure and ask if there can be a such thing as a definitive Shada.
Dark Eyes at 10 - A Retrospective
2025 marks 10 years since the conclusion of the four box set Dark Eyes audio anthology series (2012-2015), which ushered in a new era of full cast audio adventures for the Eighth Doctor on Big Finish, including a new look, a darker characterization, and a new storytelling format: four linked series of box sets - each including four one hour adventures! With the benefit of 10 years hindsight, our panelists will assess Dark Eyes box sets 1-4 with fresh ears, discuss what worked and what didn't, whether the Dark Eyes series is a good jumping on point for new listeners as well as the series' legacy and influence on subsequent audio anthologies and the TV show itself.
The Honorable Hot Take Court
Doctor Who has had many a controversial moment. In this participation panel we will not only allow the opportunity to vocalize a 'hot take' but to present a defense. Of course it will be emphasized that respect is prime in this panel and that all will have a right to an opinion even if one does not agree with it.
Spotlight On: Sylvia Noble
She's Donna's mum, and has had adventures too. A look at those stories on TV, in print, and on audio.
Ace Pride Panel and Asexuality in DW
A specific LGBTQIA+ panel focusing on discussions of asexuality in Doctor Who stories and within fandom.
The Dr. Who Annual: 60 Years of Stuffing Stockings
The Annual is a series of popular and enduring books (but sometimes audios!) of short stories, comics, activities & articles. A look back at their continuing legacy.
Recreating Doctor Who's Past
From animation to AI, we'll take a look at the various projects being undertaken, both by professionals as well as fans, to recreate the missing years of classic Doctor Who, as well as what's being done to preserve it for future generations.
Time After Time
We all know that Doctor Who is about time travel, but what other time travel series do you enjoy? We throw the doors wide open to talk about any time travel series in any medium that you enjoy. We'll discuss what you like about the series as well as different ways that time travel is expressed and what like or don't about each.
How to Survive a New Wilderness Era
For the first time since 2005, Doctor Who fans are facing a wait of over a year for new episodes on television. Yet there's more Doctor Who than ever between audio dramas, books, comics, and more stretching across the decades. Where to jump in and discover new stories with favorite Doctors? Join us as we highlight personal favorites and overlooked pieces of Doctor Who beyond TV in other media.
Doctor Ha
A fun panel in which we discuss and vote on the funniest lines in the show ever.
So-So Who
Discussion about the middle-of-the-road stories that seem to rarely come up in discussions simply because they're not the best and they're also not the worst, they just land somewhere in between.
Keeping it Classic
In this panel we'll discuss the 26 seasons of classic Doctor Who. We'll talk about why we love it, why we think it's still relevant today, and what stories/eras/Doctors are our favorite. We'll also get into where we think may be the best jumping on points for people who haven't waded into the classic series yet.
60 Years of Spin-Offs
Even back in 1965, there were spin-offs of Doctor Who. This is a look at The Whoniverse, before Russell Davies even mentioned that there was one.
Headcanon-palooza
Discussion of people's favorite Who head-canons, addressing such questions and possibilities as Did Missy know she was saving The Doctor's life by crossing his path with Clara? Was Missy involved in Danny Pink's death? How did The Silence actually destroy the TARDIS? Why did The Silence need River at the Lakeside when the suit did all the work? There's a perfect head-canon answer to all of these and more!
Non-Doctor Who Panels
Mental Health for Nerds
A panel talking about the importance of mental health in the nerd community…how we are affected by things and how we can work together to do better.
A New Approach to SFTV Drama
After the Emmy Award-winning show Andor proved that it doesn't take lightsabers and Sith lords to tell powerful and heartfelt stories in the Star Wars universe, where does that leave the future of both Star Wars and science fiction television?
MCU: Out of Phase
This is our annual panel to discuss the MCU. Marvel had quite a few offerings this year, but none of them was a solid win for the company. We'll review the year's offerings on Disney+ and in the cinema and then discuss Marvel's plans moving forward and what we think.
DCU: Dawn of the DCU
The DCU is finally underway with installments including Creature Commandos, Peacemaker Season 2 and Superman (2025). In this panel we will discuss what we've enjoyed about the DCU so far, if we think there have been any missteps, and what we'd like to see in the future.
Look, Up on the Screen! It's Superman!
This year saw the release of the latest cinematic version of Superman, helping launch a new version of DC's cinematic universe. How does it compare to previous big-screen Superman films with the legacies of both the Christopher Reeve films and Zack Snyder's darker take on the character? And what might our panel expect from the recently announced Man of Tomorrow? Join our panel for a journey through the cinematic legacy of the Man of Steel.
Trekking Along/Friendship is Universal
A look at the Star Trek universe and its current narrative outlets such as Strange New Worlds, an examination of the similarities between Trek and Doctor Who (exploration and more!), and what might be in the future for the Trek universe.
The current deadline for the call for panelists is November 4th. If the deadline changes, we will make a public announcement via the usual channels (our website, Twitter, Facebook).
Please contact us if you have any questions!