Program Overview
We are currently offering both online and in-person Speakers Bureau events. Find an event near you, or learn how to host a Speakers Bureau event.
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 over 30 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.
To reach as many Washingtonians as possible, we partner with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including libraries, schools, museums, historical societies, community centers, and civic organizations. Any nonprofit organization is welcome to apply 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, the Thomas S. Foley Institute of Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, The Pacific Power Foundation, and generous contributions from other businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Upcoming In-Person Events
IN PERSON: Diamonds in the Rough: The Gentrification of Rural Washington
Washington’s rural communities are rapidly changing. Formerly reliant on working-class industries like mining, oil, and agriculture, an influx of wealthy urbanites is looking for a different kind of experience that includes natural amenities, outdoor recreation, and cultural activities. But in doing so, these newcomers are causing new inequalities. Join Jennifer Sherman, professor of sociology, to […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday
August 16, 2022 - Where
- Basalt Cellars
906 Port Dr
Clarkston, WA 99403 United States
IN PERSON: One Second of Hate: A Story of Forgiveness
“Where are you from?”, his attacker asked before shooting Rais Bhuiyan during a killing spree in Texas shortly after 9/11. The attacker, a white supremacist, had been hunting for “Arabs” and perceived Muslims, though not one of his victims turned out to be from the Middle East. Despite being shot in the face, Bhuiyan survived, […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Wednesday
August 24, 2022 - Where
- Federal Way 320th Library
848 S 320th St
Federal Way, WA 98003 United States
IN PERSON: The Samurai Code: How Bushido Changes Lives
Bushido—the way of the warrior—is the code of ethics practiced by the samurai warriors of ancient Japan, a code which includes courage, integrity, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty. Through her own story of using Bushido to overcome a traumatic brain injury, Lori Tsugawa Whaley shows how the code can help people find hope, resilience, […]
- When
- 2:00 pm, Saturday
August 27, 2022 - Where
- Community Resource Center of Stanwood-Camano
9612 271st St NW
Stanwood, WA 98292 United States
IN PERSON: How Audio Technology Changed the World
Although we live in a visual world, audio still has the power to create intimacy and spark the imagination like no other medium can. Veteran broadcaster Ross Reynolds explores the impact that audio transmission has had on society and storytelling, beginning with the first century of radio up to the modern age of audiobooks, internet […]
- When
- 7:30 pm, Thursday
September 1, 2022 - Where
- Heron’s Key
4340 Borgen Blvd
Gig Harbor, WA 98332 United States
Upcoming Online Events
ONLINE: American Democracy’s Indigenous Roots and Future
History books teach us that the Founding Fathers birthed American democracy, but do not reveal the Indigenous sources of inspiration that guided their vision. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s Great Law of Peace—uniting six Nations in an alliance that predates the American Constitution by centuries—served as a powerful example to men such as Benjamin Franklin, who benefited […]
- When
- 7:30 pm, Wednesday
August 17, 2022 - Register
- We have not yet been able to confirm registration details for this event. Please contact the host via their website.
ONLINE: What Laughter Tells Us: Asian Americans, Comedy, and Belonging
Laughter shapes the way we listen to each other, and can be a signal of who belongs—and who doesn’t. While everyone finds different things funny, we all have experienced laughter. And what we find funny shapes how we interconnect. Through clips of Asian American stand-up comedians, Professor Michelle Liu explores how humor can change the […]
- When
- 6:30 pm, Tuesday
August 23, 2022 - Register
- Click here to register
ONLINE: What Laughter Tells Us: Asian Americans, Comedy, and Belonging
Laughter shapes the way we listen to each other, and can be a signal of who belongs—and who doesn’t. While everyone finds different things funny, we all have experienced laughter. And what we find funny shapes how we interconnect. Through clips of Asian American stand-up comedians, Professor Michelle Liu explores how humor can change the […]
- When
- 7:00 pm, Thursday
September 8, 2022 - Register
- Registration info to come
ONLINE: How Audio Technology Changed the World
Although we live in a visual world, audio still has the power to create intimacy and spark the imagination like no other medium can. Veteran broadcaster Ross Reynolds explores the impact that audio transmission has had on society and storytelling, beginning with the first century of radio up to the modern age of audiobooks, internet […]
- When
- 12:00 pm, Saturday
September 10, 2022 - Register
- Registration info to come