Pacific coast meets philosophical depth.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Vancouver, Canada — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: September 24, 2026
Colson Whitehead · Vancouver Public Library — Central Branch · September 25, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winning author Colson Whitehead reads from his recent work and discusses themes of history, race, and storytelling in contemporary fiction. The reading will be follo…
David Suzuki · Vancouver Art Gallery · September 25, 2026
Environmental scientist and broadcaster David Suzuki explores how artists and scientists can collaborate to communicate climate science and inspire collective action. The talk incl…
Kwame Anthony Appiah · Philosopher's Café (The Cultch) · September 25, 2026
Philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah explores cosmopolitan ethics and what it means to live a good life in a globally connected era. The talk will be followed by a moderated discussion…
David Suzuki · Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch · September 25, 2026
Environmentalist David Suzuki speaks about biodiversity loss, Indigenous stewardship, and community-led conservation initiatives. The talk will highlight practical strategies for l…
Douglas Coupland · Vancouver Public Library — Central Branch · September 25, 2026
Douglas Coupland reads from his recent work and reflects on Vancouver's cultural and architectural transformations. The event closes with an audience Q&A and book signing at the br…
Naomi Klein · SFU Harbour Centre — Performance Space · September 25, 2026
Journalist and author Naomi Klein explores the political and economic barriers to climate action and strategies for transformative change. The presentation will include audience qu…
Thomas Homer-Dixon · SFU Harbour Centre — David Lam Auditorium · September 25, 2026
Political scientist Thomas Homer-Dixon explores societal resilience in the face of climate shocks and political instability. The lecture will connect research on complex systems wi…
Samantha Power · SFU Harbour Centre - Theatre · September 25, 2026
Former U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power addresses humanitarian intervention, human rights, and the responsibilities of democracies on the world stage. She will examine recent crises …
Elizabeth Kolbert · Vancouver Public Library — Central Branch · September 25, 2026
Pulitzer-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert discusses her latest reporting on climate tipping points and what communities can expect in the coming decades. The talk will include …
Esi Edugyan · Vancouver Public Library — Central Branch · September 25, 2026
Two-time Giller Prize finalist Esi Edugyan reads from her forthcoming novel and discusses craft and historical research in fiction. A short audience Q&A and book signing will follo…
Thomas Homer-Dixon · UBC Connects (Robson Square) · September 25, 2026
Political scientist and systems thinker Thomas Homer-Dixon outlines scenarios for energy transition and societal resilience under ecological stress. The session will include policy…
Naomi Oreskes · UBC Connects — Chan Centre Lecture Hall · September 25, 2026
Historian of science Naomi Oreskes examines how scientific consensus forms and why public trust matters in debates about climate and health. The lecture will be followed by an audi…
Douglas Coupland · Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch · September 25, 2026
Douglas Coupland reads from his newest novel and discusses the cultural and technological concerns that have shaped his work. The reading is followed by a moderated discussion and …
Thomas Piketty · UBC Connects — Irving K. Barber Learning Centre · September 25, 2026
Economist Thomas Piketty presents new research on wealth, taxation, and democratic resilience in the 21st century. The lecture will be followed by an expert panel exploring policy …
Shannon Vallor · Vancouver Public Library — Central Branch (Philosopher's Café series) · September 28, 2026
Philosopher Shannon Vallor leads a community discussion on ethical questions raised by artificial intelligence in health care, work, and public life. The session is participatory a…
David Suzuki · Vancouver Public Library — Central Branch · September 28, 2026
David Suzuki reflects on thirty years of environmental advocacy and outlines pragmatic steps communities can take to protect biodiversity in the region. This community-focused lect…
Thomas Piketty · UBC Connects (Frederic Wood Theatre, UBC) · September 28, 2026
Economist Thomas Piketty presents new findings on wealth concentration and its implications for democratic governance. The lecture will be followed by a moderated discussion on pol…
Malcolm Gladwell · UBC Connects — Chan Shun Concert Hall, Vancouver · September 28, 2026
Malcolm Gladwell examines how small changes can trigger large social shifts, revisiting themes from his classic work with contemporary examples. The talk includes audience question…
Roxane Gay · The Cultch — Historic Theatre (presented by Powell's Books) · September 28, 2026
Roxane Gay delivers a reading from her latest collection and reflects on the intersections of culture, identity, and public discourse. A moderated Q&A will follow, with books avail…
Dana Claxton · Vancouver Art Gallery — Education Hall · September 29, 2026
Artist Dana Claxton discusses her multimedia practice, explorations of Indigenous performance, and the politics of image-making. The presentation will include film excerpts and a m…