be a speaker

The Convivial does not see qualifications or degrees as a necessity for sharing wisdom. You do not even need to be an experienced speaker. This is not a formal lecture series — rather, imagine an intimate cosy space with dim lights and a circle of chairs. No screens, just a group of like-hearted souls gathering to hear whatever is wrangling through your mind and practice. If you have a subject or subjects that you are very passionate about or have an imaginative take on, we want to hear you speak. Our speakers are curious, passionate, imaginative, afraid, wyrd, side-ways-looking, ecology and community-minded…

The subject areas we’re keen to hear about are: ecology, complexity and systems science, imagination, spirituality, myth and folklore, philosophy, poetry and language — but if you do not see your subject there, please do reach out anyway. We’re particularly interested in speakers who are interdisciplinary experts, practitioners or thinkers, for example: ecology and spirituality; woodland regeneration and spellcasting; theatre and science; queerness and lichen; poetry and mathematics; grief and folklore; systems thinking and love; music and mycelium; stone carving and sacred geometry… you get the picture! We want to enter new worlds and learn together how to hold paradox and complexity in our bodies and souls. 

Our evenings are PowerPoint and phone-free (unless there are particular access needs) to help instil a sense of presence and hospitality to each other’s voices and ideas. If, however, you have images or soundbites to share, we can discuss how best to do so. Along these lines, we do ask that you avoid reading from a sheet of paper, but do please bring notes and prompts as an aide if you like.

We are not prescriptive about the form or structure your talk might take, and performative and/or participatory methods are welcome! However, you should aim for your talk to be around 45 minutes to an hour with 15-20 minutes for the gathering to ask questions — and then to eat, drink, and have our own, perhaps more scattered and individual conversations.

Reimbursement

Speakers will be reimbursed, fed and generously watered.

The Convivial pays our speakers up to £150, which includes preparation and the evening of three hours (although you’re welcome to stay later). If you are already well positioned financially, or attached to an organisation or group which does community outreach as part of its mission, we encourage you to muse on whether you might charge less or even waive your fee completely and thus pay it forwards – which is always much appreciated!

You will also receive a free meal and a drink of your choice. If you are travelling, we can remunerate travel costs of up to £50 upon receipt of an invoice with expenses shown. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to remunerate accommodation costs, but there are options available. 

If you would like to be hosted as a speaker by The Convivial, please tell us about your experience and idea for a talk by filling in the form below.