Vince Beiser Keynote Speaker

Vince Beiser is an award-winning journalist whose globe-spanning investigations uncover the uncharted forces that drive our modern world. He has reported from over 100 countries, states, provinces, kingdoms, occupied territories, no man’s lands, and disaster zones, delivering gripping accounts that connect global resource extraction to everyday life.

In his latest book, Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future, Beiser explores how the materials fueling digital technology and renewable energy can spawn environmental havoc, political upheaval, and even deadly conflict. Praised by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert as “an essential read for anyone concerned about the future,” the book has been featured on The Daily Show, in The New Yorker, and in major outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Beiser’s first book, The World in a Grain, was a finalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award and a California Book Award, and led to a TEDx talk spotlighting how sand underpins our modern infrastructure. His investigations—ranging from harsh prison conditions in California to disaster-zone first responders—have earned recognition from Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists, and more. He has also shared in three National Magazine Awards and an Emmy.

A seasoned and dynamic speaker, Beiser distills complex global issues into accessible narratives, enlivened by firsthand experiences and a touch of humor. He has spoken at universities worldwide, corporate events and conferences, and to institutions such as the United Nations Environment Program, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Wilson Center. Through captivating storytelling and deep analysis, he equips audiences to grapple with the resource challenges shaping our shared future.