Program Overview
Out of concern for the health of communities across the state, we and our partners are temporarily canceling all in-person Humanities Washington events. However, we will be holding online Speakers Bureau events with our partners. Find online events on our calendar, or learn how to host an online Speakers Bureau event here.
You don’t need to be a student or live near a college to hear an intriguing talk from a scholar or expert. In communities throughout Washington State, Speakers Bureau presenters give free public presentations on history, politics, music, philosophy, spiritual traditions, and everything in between.
Our roster of 34 Speakers Bureau presenters is made up of professors, artists, activists, historians, performers, journalists, and others—all chosen not only for their expertise, but also for their ability to inspire discussion with people of all ages and backgrounds. Hundreds of Speakers Bureau events take place each year. Each talk lasts about an hour.
To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, we partner with a wide range of organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, retirement homes, community centers, and civic organizations. These organizations host and publicize the events.
Find a Speakers Bureau event near you. We also encourage nonprofit organizations to host a speaker.
Speakers Bureau is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Washington via the Office of the Secretary of State, and the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Upcoming Online Events
ONLINE: Tangled: Why Your Hair Matters to Society
Hair is simply a collection of protein filaments that sprout from our scalp, yet it carries great meaning for us and our society. From twists and tapers to braids and buns, what’s on top of our head and how it is received by others often reflects society’s standards of beauty and desirability. Using song, video, […]
- When
- 5:00 pm, Tuesday
September 22, 2020 - Join
- Click here to join
ONLINE: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Principal’s Office?
Beginning as early as preschool, Black students are disproportionately suspended and expelled from school. As many of these students reach adulthood, these punishments can lead to legal trouble, creating what some call the “school-to-prison pipeline” that affects many Black communities. Why are Black students punished more than others in the classroom? Based on his extensive […]
- When
- 5:00 pm, Wednesday
September 23, 2020 - Join
- Click here to join
ONLINE: Is Truth Really Dead in America?
Alternative facts, fake news, post-truth—these phrases have flooded the American conversation over the past several years. But how bad is it really, and what can we, as a society and as individuals, do to be better informed? WSU professor Steven Stehr investigates the roots and consequences of the erosion of truth, with a focus on […]
- When
- 4:00 pm, Thursday
September 24, 2020 - Join
- Registration info to come
ONLINE: Hacking Democracy: What Social Media is Doing to US Politics
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram—some of which did not even exist a decade ago—are playing an increasingly central role in politicians’ efforts to get elected. What does this mean for the American voter? Join political scientist Travis Ridout to explore the pros and cons of social media in political campaigns. While […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Monday
September 28, 2020 - Join
- Registration info to come
ONLINE: She Traveled Solo: Strong Women in the Early 20th Century
During a 5,000 mile solo bicycle ride from southern California to Maine, Tessa Hulls heard the same thing daily: that a woman can’t travel alone. She began researching other women who traveled solo in different ways, and became fascinated with many in stories from the early 20th century: explorers, mountaineers, and even a circus performer—women […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Thursday
October 1, 2020 - Join
- Click here to join
ONLINE: What’s Age Got to Do with It?
“You look good for your age.” “You’re too young to understand.” In employment decisions, family discussions, medical care, and even in birthday cards, assumptions about being “over the hill” or “a lazy kid” are common. What do you wish society would stop saying about your generation? How can we talk about age and aging in […]
- When
- 1:00 pm, Saturday
October 3, 2020 - Join
- Registration info to come
ONLINE: Hacking Democracy: What Social Media is Doing to US Politics
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram—some of which did not even exist a decade ago—are playing an increasingly central role in politicians’ efforts to get elected. What does this mean for the American voter? Join political scientist Travis Ridout to explore the pros and cons of social media in political campaigns. While […]
- When
- 3:00 pm, Saturday
October 3, 2020 - Join
- Registration info to come
ONLINE: What’s Age Got to Do with It?
“You look good for your age.” “You’re too young to understand.” In employment decisions, family discussions, medical care, and even in birthday cards, assumptions about being “over the hill” or “a lazy kid” are common. What do you wish society would stop saying about your generation? How can we talk about age and aging in […]
- When
- 12:00 pm, Sunday
October 4, 2020 - Join
- Registration info to come