The University of Tulsa welcomed alumnus and New York Times bestselling author Daniel H. Wilson (B.S. ’00) for the fall 2025 Presidential Lecture Series on Oct. 7. He has released several acclaimed techno-thriller novels, including “Robopocalypse,” “The Clockwork Dynasty” and “The Andromeda Evolution.” His latest novel, “Hole in the Sky,” has been picked up by Netflix for a film adaptation.
A Tulsa native, Wilson integrates a unique perspective on his novels from his Cherokee citizenship and educational experiences. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from UTulsa. He said mentorship from computer science Professors John Hale and Sandip Sen inspired his lifelong interest in robotics and, later, in artificial intelligence. After UTulsa, Wilson received his master’s degree and doctorate in machine learning and robotics from Carnegie Mellon University.
On coming back to UTulsa, Wilson said he felt nostalgia and fulfillment. He said he never thought he would become a renowned author or Presidential Lecture Series speaker. “I’m flattered to be welcomed back. With my background in Oklahoma and the university, it is just such great serendipity for all these things to occur,” he said.
Wilson said his education and personal interests inspired him to start writing. Over time, he began to integrate his personal identity into his works. This is where he found a way to connect with his audience beyond storytelling.
“I was deep into this narrative of myself as just being a scientist. I thought that only my knowledge about robotics would make my work worth reading,” Wilson explained. “But I realized that people care about the human experiences of the author. They can find representation in it.”
He added that he finds inspiration from mythologies and cosmologies from around the world. He enjoys listening to oral traditions. and researching how people convey stories to their audiences.
“It has taken me time, but I have figured out ‘claiming your identity.’ It adds context to the creative work you do. That matters to people,” Wilson said.
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