I have an extensive background as a public speaker, panelist, and presenter at conferences, organizations, and events. As a lifelong communicator, I understand the power of storytelling to engage and inspire. These days I speak at writers conferences; however, my background includes sessions focused on business marketing, organizational communications, film history, and contemporary art and media. On this page I also include stand-alone university & college teaching engagements (which are closer to residencies).
I would be happy to consider speaking at your event. Most recently I have spoken on these topics:
- Creating a personal brand and a platform as a writer
- Writing disabled characters with accuracy and without the tropes
- Implementing DEI, especially when working with an international team
- Developing and implementing change communications
- How the 1940 film The Mark of Zorro taught me nearly everything I know about storytelling
I encourage you to contact me at < jamesDOTirwinATgmailDOTcom. Selected speaking engagements follow.
2020-Present
Speaker: Watch Out, It’s a Trope!: Writing Disabled Characters, Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Eastern Shore Writers Assoc., Wye Mills, Maryland
Visiting Lecturer: Disability Representation in Media & Literature, Wm. Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey
Speaker: Building a reputation framework: Personal brand strategy for writers, Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Eastern Shore Writers Assoc., Wye Mills, Maryland
Speaker: Looking toward India: Collaborating with teams across time zones, cultures, and communication styles. Schering-Plough Executive Lecture Series, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison New Jersey
Speaker: Building a reputation framework: Personal brand strategy for writers. HippoCamp Writers Conference, Lancaster Pennsylvania.
2010-2019
Speaker: Social media writing and Better business writing. Webinar learning series, Deloitte India.
Speaker: How an India-based Communications Team Went from Order-Takers to Trusted Advisors. Heritage Region Conference, International Association of Business Communicators, Detroit Michigan
Speaker: The Other Side: Bouncing back after setbacks. Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Panel Member: The view from 1997 – Reflections on NJCA from some Founding Parents. New Jersey Communication Association Conference, Georgian Court University, Lakewood New Jersey
2000-2009
Speaker: Internal Communications in a Global Enterprise. Schering-Plough Executive Lecture Series, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey
Speaker: Influencing without Authority in a Flat Organization. Heritage Region Conference, International Association of Business Communicators, Washington DC
Panel Chair: Intellectual Property on the Net – Digital Rights Management vs. a Community’s Right to Share. New Jersey Communication Association Conference, “Communication Space: Situating Our Selves in a Global Community,” Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey
Speaker: Master Class on Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. New York State Communication Association Conference, “2001: A State Odyssey,” Monticello New York
Panel Chair: Access, Opportunity & the Digital Divide. New Jersey Communication Association Conference: “Communication in the Public Interest.” Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey
Visiting Lecturer: Digital Media & Publishing, MA program in Corporate & Organizational Communication, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey
Speaker: Collaborating Across the Web – Creating Internet Alliances for Multi-Organizational Success. Horizon Mercy Conference on Community Health and the Internet, Kean University, Union, New Jersey
1990-1999
Speaker: Meet the Media. Public Relations Society of America, Morristown New Jersey
Visiting Lecturer: Internet Communications, Dept. of English, Communication & Philosophy, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, New Jersey
Speaker: Meet the Media. Public Relations Society of America, Somerset New Jersey
Panel Member: Creating a Communication Association. New York State Communication Association Conference, Monticello NY
Speaker: Using the Internet to Create Opportunities & Build Community. Conference on Urban Revitalization, Long Branch New Jersey
Visiting Lecturer: Media Issues & Ethics, School of Contemporary Arts, Ramapo College, Mahwah, New Jersey
Speaker: Broadband, Community & Content. New Media Association of New Jersey, Union New Jersey
Panel Chair: Moving Online – Delivering Content that Matters. New Jersey Communication Association Conference: “Continuity & Change,” Montclair State University, Montclair New Jersey
Panel Member: Civic Journalism. New Jersey Communication Association Conference: “Continuity & Change,” Montclair State University, Montclair New Jersey
Visiting Lecturer: Internet Journalism, Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Speaker: Broadband, Community & Content. New Jersey Mac User Group, Montclair New Jersey
Visiting Lecturer: Cinema as Cross-cultural Communication, Kean University, Union, New Jersey
Speaker: The Future of Technology Careers. Perth Amboy School District New Jersey
Visiting Lecturer: Contemporary Art History as the Age of Spectacle, Dept. of Art, Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania
Speaker: Small Business Marketing on the World Wide Web. SWAN – Self-employed Writers & Artists Network, Bergen Museum of Art & Sciences, Paramus New Jersey
1980-1989
Panel Member: Language and Image. Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco California
Speaker and Curator: Canyon Cinema/Cinematheque Tribute. San Francisco International Film Festival, California
Speaker and Curator: Films About Artists. Media Gallery, San Francisco California
Panel Moderator: Narrative Variations. Film Arts Festival, San Francisco California
Speaker and Curator: Great Animations. Media Gallery, San Francisco California
Visiting Artist: Independent Small Format Film Production. San Francisco State University, San Francisco California
Speaker and Curator: San Francisco Small Format Films. Festival International du Film Super8 du Quebec, Montreal Canada
Panel Moderator: Looking Back – Stages In Our Lives. Film Arts Festival, San Francisco California
Visiting Artist: Animation Workshop. San Francisco School of the Arts, San Francisco California
Speaker and Curator: Whatever Happened to Sex? San Francisco Cinematheque, San Francisco California
1970-1979
Visiting Artist: Film Production Workshops. Agnes Irwin School, Villanova Pennsylvania
Panel Member: Media, Art and Society. Wilson College, Chambersburg Pennsylvania
Visiting Artist: Film Production Workshops. Sewickley Academy, Sewickley Pennsylvania
Speaker: The Films of Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Wilson College, Chambersburg Pennsylvania
Visiting Artist: Film Production Workshops. Cornell School, Coraopolis Pennsylvania