Speaking

I regularly give talks, chair discussions and take part in panel events at literary festivals, conferences, universities, schools and community centres. For 2021-2023, I am delighted to have the role of Literary Explorer in Residence at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. This sees me curating, chairing and participating in ticketed and free events, and delivering reading workshops at the UK's oldest literary festival.

Other notable engagements have included TED Global London (see video below, left), TEDx Geneva, TEDx Hanoi (see video below, right), events at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the London Literature Festival, Brahmaputra Literary Festival in Assam, International Translation Day, Cambridge Literary Festival, Bath Literature Festival, the Knowledge Summit in Dubai, events organised through SOAS, University of London and delivering the 26th Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture at the University of Illinois's Mortenson Center for International Library Programs.

Reading workshops

Since 2021, I have been running workshops in-person and online for those keen to explore the idea of reading outside their comfort zone. Launched at the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2021, these informal and friendly sessions give curious readers of all levels and backgrounds the opportunity to explore ideas such as the value of embracing not-knowing in reading and help them develop the confidence to approach texts from unfamiliar traditions. You can find out more information here.

It's also been my great honour to run a series of Royal Literary Fund-funded story sessions with asylum seekers in East Kent since 2020. Offered in collaboration with charities including the Kent Refugee Action Network and Samphire, these workshops have given me the privilege of using storytelling to help build confidence, English-language skills and connection with many vulnerable people.

Podcasting

As a producer of the Royal Literary Fund's Writers Aloud podcast, I'm lucky to spend a lot of time interviewing other writers about their work and creative process. I've also been a guest on a number of other podcasts, including Who's Next? with Zara Bryson and Stories That Matter.