Ian Williams - What I Mean to Say: Remaking Conversation in Our Time

Ian Williams is a poet, novelist, and essayist whose work explores themes of race, identity, and social complexity. Born in Trinidad and raised in Canada, Williams has developed a distinctive voice that combines lyrical sensitivity with sharp cultural insight. His debut novel, Reproduction, won the 2019 Giller Prize and was celebrated for its inventive structure and moving exploration of familial bonds across race and class. I was particularly looking forward to our discussion to talk about his work, his latest book and his PhD research which focused on the nuanced dimensions of tone and voice in print, examining how people’s identities and intentions are subtly encoded in their written words, particularly through everyday typing and texting. We talked about the transformative power of open, authentic conversations in fostering trust and understanding amid societal polarization. I hope you can join us.