Talks, keynotes and festival appearances.

  • Frankfurt Book Fair

    Spoke on several panels over the years at the largest gathering of publishing industry professionals in the world and the most important international marketplace for content.

  • Jaipur Literature Festival

    Multiple appearances 2008-2020 at one of the world’s largest gatherings of writers and thinkers, hosting Nobel, Booker and Pulitzer Prize winners. More

  • Canadian Arts Summit

    Panelist at the 2023 Canadian Arts Summit, a gathering of senior art leaders of Canada’s largest arts institutions

  • Asia Pacific Foundation

    APF is an organization focused on Canada’s relations with Asia. Speaker at a conference on Asia competence, on ‘Learning lessons from Asia’.

  • Columbia College

    Keynote speaker at the 2024 Limitless Conference and graduation ceremony.

  • Salon du Livre, Paris

    Talk on the translation required - both linguistic and cultural - to offer readers a truly diverse view of the world.

  • Vancouver Art Gallery

    Several speaking appearances (guided tours, talks, symposia) at one of North America’s most respected and innovative visual arts institutions.

  • Vancouver Writers Fest

    Several appearances at one of North America’s largest and most highly regarded festivals of the written word.

  • Public Salon

    An illustrated talk on ephemera, popular culture and how they contain society’s most interesting stories. Watch

  • Langara College

    Keynote speaker to the 2019 graduates of the Faculty of Arts, Langara College, Vancouver.

  • 6 Degrees

    ‘Are you Home?’ Speaker on a panel hosted by former Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson on the complex notion of home. More

  • Fiera del Libro, Torino

    A talk on the form of the book, at the Torino (Turin) Book Fair in conjunction with Torino being designated ‘World Book Capital’.

  • Bologna Book Fair

    Several talks at the world’s premier book fair for children’s literature, including once as a recipient of the ‘Bologna Ragazzi’ award.

  • Crossing Border Festival

    One of Europe’s most exciting literary and music festivals. Featuring Blake Morrison, Bhajju Shyam, Michel Houllebecq, Sinead O’ Connor, Sirish Rao, The Decemberists. More

  • Creative Mornings

    Talk on the importance of procrastination for the creative process, and as an act of resistance to the tyranny of time. Watch.

  • Pecha Kucha, Vancouver

    A talk on visual dialects for the 40th edition of Vancouver’s Pecha Kucha nights.

  • Surrey Art Gallery

    Several appearances as moderator and speaker on topics related to exhibitions hosted at the gallery.

  • Apeejay Kolkata Lit Fest

    Multiple appearances over the years at one of India’s most regarded literary festivals.

  • Evergreen Cultural Centre

    Talk on personal artistic and cultural practice in conjunction with the exhibition RISE: Sandeep Johal and Sara Khan.

  • Mayor's Arts Awards

    Keynote speaker at the Mayor’s Arts Awards