Will Richardson

Will Richardson

Keynote Speaker: Education Innovator, Author, Co-founder of Big Questions Institute

Will Richardson Biography

A former public school educator with 22 years of experience, Will Richardson has devoted the last 15 years to developing an international reputation as a leading thinker and writer about the intersection of social online learning networks, education, and systemic change. He is a co-founder of The Big Questions Institute, which supports educators in using "fearless inquiry" to navigate complex and uncertain times. In 2017, Richardson was recognized as one of 100 global "Changemakers in Education" by the Finnish site HundrED and was listed by Forbes as one of the Top 5 "Edupreneurs to Follow." He has delivered keynote speeches, led breakout sessions, and offered coaching services in over 30 countries across six continents.

Richardson has authored six books, including "9 Big Questions," that have collectively sold over 200,000 copies worldwide. He is a respected voice in reimagining educational approaches and has delivered notable TEDx Talks in New York, Melbourne, and Vancouver, with his most recent talk titled "The Surprising Truth About Learning in Schools." His work emphasizes the need for integrating online safety and information literacy into school curricula and transforming learning environments into networked spaces where every student can contribute knowledge globally.

Living in rural New Jersey with his wife Wendy, Richardson advocates for a fundamental redesign of educational institutions to reflect the abundance of knowledge and teaching resources available online. He highlights the evolving role of school leaders in embracing new educational realities and integrating them into effective school practices. His discussions often cover the importance of Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) and their role in education, stressing how these networks can foster interconnected and widely accessible learning opportunities.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Will Richardson and other top speakers and celebrities.

Will Richardson Speaking Topics

Navigating the Infodemic: Literacy a "Post Fact" World

What does it mean to be "literate" when everyone is a media outlet? It means our conception of "literacy" is changing. It has to.The explosion of social media and easy to publish-to-the-world tools has been happening for over two decades. And in many ways, that has given voice and reach to many amazing thinkers and doers and creators who we couldn't connect and learn with in the past. But ubiquitous publishing has its downsides. Now, in a world where almost anyone can say anything, fact and truth become less clear. And right now, we are in the midst of an "infodemic" of scary proportions. Every day, more and more misinformation, "fake news," and abject lies are shared online to increasingly larger audiences who are looking to confirm their own biases of how the world should look and operate. If we cannot discern what's true and what is a fact, we are in very serious trouble, as a society, and as a planet. More than at any time in recent history we need the skills, literacies, and dispositions to separate good information, people, and technologies from bad. This session dives into the scale and scope of the Infodemic, the challenges for schools and classrooms, and some tools and strategies to help "vaccinate" ourselves from the harm it causes.

New Leadership Lenses for a ‘No Normal’ World

Creating a new future of schooling calls for educators and leaders to see the world as it is, not as it was. It requires understanding new contexts, and building new lenses around vital questions of world, purpose, change, power and our stories. Your communities put trust in your schools’ ability to lead and navigate the volatile, confusing realities, from the pandemic to climate to racial justice, an “infodemic” and economic uncertainty – all on top of the changing learning landscape. Let me push your thinking to embrace the new realities, or lenses, of the post-pandemic world. Each of the lenses will help you frame new questions and conversations that are fundamental to creating an experience of school for kids that will help them move beyond surviving, to thriving in whatever future they inherit.

Regaining Our Bearings: Reimagining the Future in a Post-Pandemic World

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying "The best way to predict the future is to create it." Now, as the lockdowns and quarantines begin finally to ease and our exhaustion mercifully subsides, the most pressing question for schools is what type of future will we create? Will we go back to the time worn practices and pedagogies of the traditional school that are increasingly out of step with the way the world operates today? Or will we see this disruptive, change-filled moment as a chance to recalibrate, to engage in some fearless inquiry and clarify a more relevant, more effective path forward for our kids? This session will focus on some "activities of hope," starting points for understanding the opportunities and challenges ahead, and for creating a solid foundation for reimagining our work in this increasingly complex, no-normal world.

9 BIG Questions for Not Going 'Back to Normal' in Schools

As we begin to see a small light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, the pull to going "back to normal" will become stronger and stronger. But let's remember that "normal" is what caused many of the challenges that we face today: social injustice, income inequality, climate change, rising populism, and information illiteracy. For educators especially, instead of going back, we need to go forward to create schools that are more relevant, more equitable, and more just for all children. To do so requires a deep interrogation of the fundamentals of our work. This keynote will challenge you to grapple with nine crucial questions on a personal level, and to confront a new narrative for educators in this moment of huge disruption and change.

Meeting the Moment with Fearless Inquiry: Using Questions to Design a Relevant and Just Path Forward for Schools

To say that we live in an historic time is an understatement. Arguably, we find ourselves in a “hinge moment,” one of those relatively short periods between eras that is defined by dramatic change and palpable stress. It throws us off our center, and it breaks the narratives we’ve become accustomed to living by. It challenges our understanding of ourselves and our institutions, requiring us to ask and attempt to answer the foundational questions of who we are and what we want to become. In this session, we show how "fearless inquiry" into those questions can be a powerfully effective tool for designing a new experience of schools for students and teachers. steps.

Will Richardson Videos

KEYNOTE: Now is No Time to Go 'Back to Normal' in Schools
The Surprising Truth About Learning in Schools | Will Richardson ...

How do I book Will Richardson to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Will Richardson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Will Richardson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Will Richardson or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Will Richardson for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Will Richardson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Will Richardson are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Will Richardson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Will Richardson speak about?

Will Richardson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Change Management, Creativity, Personal Growth, Networking, Educational Motivational, Workshop, Blogging, Technology, Authors, Business, Social Media, Education, Education Reform, Disruptive Thinking, Thought Leadership and Motivational.

Where does Will Richardson travel from?

Will Richardson generally travels from Flemington, NJ, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Will Richardson?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Will Richardson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Will Richardson for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Will Richardson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Will Richardson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Change Management, Creativity and Personal Growth. The estimated speaking fee range to book Will Richardson for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Will Richardson generally travels from Flemington, NJ, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jon Bergmann, Jesse Miller and Ian Jukes. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Will Richardson for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/11/2024.

Will Richardson Speaking Topics

  • Navigating the Infodemic: Literacy a "Post Fact" World

    What does it mean to be "literate" when everyone is a media outlet? It means our conception of "literacy" is changing. It has to.The explosion of social media and easy to publish-to-the-world tools has been happening for over two decades. And in many ways, that has given voice and reach to many amazing thinkers and doers and creators who we couldn't connect and learn with in the past. But ubiquitous publishing has its downsides. Now, in a world where almost anyone can say anything, fact and truth become less clear. And right now, we are in the midst of an "infodemic" of scary proportions. Every day, more and more misinformation, "fake news," and abject lies are shared online to increasingly larger audiences who are looking to confirm their own biases of how the world should look and operate. If we cannot discern what's true and what is a fact, we are in very serious trouble, as a society, and as a planet. More than at any time in recent history we need the skills, literacies, and dispositions to separate good information, people, and technologies from bad. This session dives into the scale and scope of the Infodemic, the challenges for schools and classrooms, and some tools and strategies to help "vaccinate" ourselves from the harm it causes.

  • New Leadership Lenses for a ‘No Normal’ World

    Creating a new future of schooling calls for educators and leaders to see the world as it is, not as it was. It requires understanding new contexts, and building new lenses around vital questions of world, purpose, change, power and our stories. Your communities put trust in your schools’ ability to lead and navigate the volatile, confusing realities, from the pandemic to climate to racial justice, an “infodemic” and economic uncertainty – all on top of the changing learning landscape. Let me push your thinking to embrace the new realities, or lenses, of the post-pandemic world. Each of the lenses will help you frame new questions and conversations that are fundamental to creating an experience of school for kids that will help them move beyond surviving, to thriving in whatever future they inherit.

  • Regaining Our Bearings: Reimagining the Future in a Post-Pandemic World

    Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying "The best way to predict the future is to create it." Now, as the lockdowns and quarantines begin finally to ease and our exhaustion mercifully subsides, the most pressing question for schools is what type of future will we create? Will we go back to the time worn practices and pedagogies of the traditional school that are increasingly out of step with the way the world operates today? Or will we see this disruptive, change-filled moment as a chance to recalibrate, to engage in some fearless inquiry and clarify a more relevant, more effective path forward for our kids? This session will focus on some "activities of hope," starting points for understanding the opportunities and challenges ahead, and for creating a solid foundation for reimagining our work in this increasingly complex, no-normal world.

  • 9 BIG Questions for Not Going 'Back to Normal' in Schools

    As we begin to see a small light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, the pull to going "back to normal" will become stronger and stronger. But let's remember that "normal" is what caused many of the challenges that we face today: social injustice, income inequality, climate change, rising populism, and information illiteracy. For educators especially, instead of going back, we need to go forward to create schools that are more relevant, more equitable, and more just for all children. To do so requires a deep interrogation of the fundamentals of our work. This keynote will challenge you to grapple with nine crucial questions on a personal level, and to confront a new narrative for educators in this moment of huge disruption and change.

  • Meeting the Moment with Fearless Inquiry: Using Questions to Design a Relevant and Just Path Forward for Schools

    To say that we live in an historic time is an understatement. Arguably, we find ourselves in a “hinge moment,” one of those relatively short periods between eras that is defined by dramatic change and palpable stress. It throws us off our center, and it breaks the narratives we’ve become accustomed to living by. It challenges our understanding of ourselves and our institutions, requiring us to ask and attempt to answer the foundational questions of who we are and what we want to become. In this session, we show how "fearless inquiry" into those questions can be a powerfully effective tool for designing a new experience of schools for students and teachers. steps.

Will Richardson Videos

KEYNOTE: Now is No Time to Go 'Back to Normal' in Schools
The Surprising Truth About Learning in Schools | Will Richardson ...

Will Richardson News

  • Keynote and Featured Speakers

    Every year the Palm Beach Technology Conference brings some of the most well-known speakers in the country to our conference to share their views about education and educational technology. This year is no different as we have lined up some great speakers!

  • April 4th, 2014, NHASCD Conf. with WILL RICHARDSON

    Inspiring Engaged Instruction to Address the Common Core is the theme for the 2013-2014 NHASCD Conference series. Registration includes free parking; hand-out materials and a book authored by the presenter; breakfast & a full buffet lunch; opportunities to reflect on the presenter's ideas and strategies for improving teaching, learning and leading; time for learning more about exhibitors' educational resources; and sought-after raffle prizes.

  • Why School?: A Conversation With Will Richardson

    Earlier this month, I attended the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Teachers of the Future conference at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. It was the single most rewarding experience of my career—never had I met such a collection of bright, passionate, and progressive educators.

  • Keynote Speakers at Education Conference Inspire 2014

    May 8, 2014 ... Will Richardson, blogger, author and former educator, and Diana Lefaunberg, a TED Speaker and teacher, will be keynote speakers at ...

  • How do I book Will Richardson to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Will Richardson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Will Richardson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Will Richardson or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Will Richardson for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Will Richardson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Will Richardson are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Will Richardson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Will Richardson speak about?

    Will Richardson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Change Management, Creativity, Personal Growth, Networking, Educational Motivational, Workshop, Blogging, Technology, Authors, Business, Social Media, Education, Education Reform, Disruptive Thinking, Thought Leadership and Motivational.
  • Where does Will Richardson travel from?

    Will Richardson generally travels from Flemington, NJ, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Will Richardson?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Will Richardson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Will Richardson for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Will Richardson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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