James Waugh of Lucasfilm to Keynote Computing Day 2026 4/17
James Waugh of Lucasfilm to Keynote Computing Day 2026 4/17
The annual University of Miami Computing Day showcases the vast array of interdisciplinary research and scholarship in computing at The U. We are thrilled to announce the Keynote Speaker for Computing Day 2026 will be James Waugh of Lucasfilm Ltd.
Join us on Friday, April 17, 2026 at the Frost Institute for Chemistry and Molecular Science building as we convene audiences engaged in computing to design the future and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This event is free and open to the public.
Register Now (free)
UM faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff are invited to submit demos and/or posters for presentation. Submission Form + Guidelines
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Keynote Speaker • James WaughSenior Vice President, Franchise Story and Creative Strategy | Lucasfilm Ltd. At Lucasfilm, James Waugh has been a member of the Star Wars creative brain trust since 2016. Waugh currently leads narrative development and creative strategy across franchise lines of business including:
His professional passion lies in building fictional worlds through compelling narrative and experiential content across platform. Waugh has led Lucasfilm’s transmedia efforts for Rogue One, Solo, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker, as well as series including: The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Bobafett, Star Wars Rebels, The Clone Wars, and The Bad Batch—Lego Star Wars and Star Wars Visions. He has also led the story group’s development efforts for multiple video game titles, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor, Star Wars Outlaws, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Vader: Immortal. Waugh spearheaded strategic initiatives such as StarWarsKids Youtube Channel, and development and launch of The High Republic, Star Wars’ first new fictional era since the Disney acquisition. In Animation, Waugh served as the Executive Producer on Star Wars: Visions vol. 1, 2 and 3 (for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy, and won a Lumiere for Best Animated Series), Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures (for which he was nominated for a Children’s and Family Emmy), LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, LEGO Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy, LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales, LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation, Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures, Star Wars: Roll Out, Star Wars Galaxy of Creatures, and others in various stages of development and production. Prior to joining Lucasfilm, Waugh served as the Sr. Director of Story & Creative Development at Blizzard Entertainment, leading the company’s Creative Development Department while overseeing narrative, IP, and transmedia for its blockbuster franchises. During this time he served as the Narrative Director for StarCraft 2 Legacy of the Void, Nova, and was the Story Director for the Overwatch franchise, leading the development and writing of its short films. Waugh also was a key leader in Blizzard’s development on projects with ABStudios and Legendary Films for which he received a Story Consultant credit for his work on Warcraft: The Beginning, the feature film directed by Duncan Jones. For Star Wars, Waugh strives to build evocative content across media and pioneer new forms of storytelling. |
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