Upcoming Speaking Engagements
Available for Speaking
Dr. John Babak Ebrahimian is available for speaking engagements, book talks, and academic presentations on mimetic theory, René Girard’s work, and the themes explored in “How Violence Works.”
Scheduled Events
2025 Book Launch Events
Dates and venues to be announced
Launch Locations:
- New York City – Academic venue TBD
- San Francisco Bay Area – Stanford University connection TBD
- Virtual launch event for global audience
Academic Conferences
Colloquium on Violence & Religion (COV&R) Annual Meeting
Date: TBD 2025
Location: TBD
Topic: “Teaching Mimetic Theory: Lessons from René Girard’s Classroom”
Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention
Date: TBD 2025
Panel: “Literature and Violence: Contemporary Applications of Mimetic Theory”
American Academy of Religion (AAR) Annual Meeting
Topic: “Scapegoating in Modern Religious Contexts”
Speaking Topics Available
Academic Presentations
1. “Understanding Mimetic Desire: The Hidden Force Behind Human Behavior”
- Perfect for: Philosophy departments, psychology programs
- Duration: 45-60 minutes + Q&A
- Audience: Undergraduate/graduate students, faculty
2. “The Scapegoat Mechanism: From Ancient Myth to Modern Politics”
- Perfect for: Political science, sociology, religious studies
- Duration: 60-90 minutes with discussion
- Audience: Academic and general public
3. “René Girard’s Legacy: Personal Memories and Scholarly Impact”
- Perfect for: Literature departments, interdisciplinary programs
- Duration: 45-60 minutes + Q&A
- Audience: Scholars, graduate students
General Audience Talks
4. “How Violence Works: What Your Desires Reveal About You”
- Perfect for: Book clubs, community centers, religious groups
- Duration: 30-45 minutes + discussion
- Audience: General public, book enthusiasts
5. “From Envy to Empathy: Transforming Relationships Through Understanding”
- Perfect for: Personal development groups, counseling organizations
- Duration: 60-90 minutes with interactive elements
- Audience: Adults seeking personal growth
6. “Breaking the Cycle: How Understanding Violence Can Lead to Peace”
- Perfect for: Peace organizations, interfaith groups, conflict resolution seminars
- Duration: 45-75 minutes + discussion
- Audience: Activists, religious leaders, community organizers
Specialized Workshops
7. “Teaching Mimetic Theory: Classroom Applications and Student Engagement”
- Perfect for: Faculty development, teaching conferences
- Duration: 2-3 hours workshop format
- Audience: Educators, administrators
8. “Mimetic Theory in Literature: Reading Texts Through Girard’s Lens”
- Perfect for: Literature departments, book clubs, reading groups
- Duration: 90 minutes – 3 hours depending on format
- Audience: Literature enthusiasts, students, educators
University Visits
Lecture Series Opportunities
- Philosophy departments
- Theology/Religious studies programs
- Literature and comparative literature departments
- Peace studies programs
- Psychology departments
- Anthropology programs
Course Integration
- Guest lecturer for relevant courses
- Semester-long course consultation
- Graduate student mentoring sessions
- Faculty development workshops
Campus-Wide Events
- Distinguished lecture series
- Interfaith programming
- Student life presentations
- Faculty/staff development
Book Club Appearances
Virtual Book Club Visits
Perfect for remote participation
What We Provide:
- 30-45 minute presentation
- Interactive Q&A session
- Discussion guide materials
- Author insights and behind-the-scenes stories
Ideal for:
- Community book clubs
- Church reading groups
- University book clubs
- Professional development groups
- Online reading communities
In-Person Book Club Events
Available in select locations
Enhanced Experience:
- Extended discussion time
- Personal anecdotes about René Girard
- Signed books available
- Photo opportunities
Virtual Event Options
Online Presentations
- Zoom webinars
- Teams presentations
- Platform-agnostic sessions
- Interactive breakout discussions
Hybrid Events
- Combination in-person/virtual attendance
- Live-streamed presentations
- Virtual Q&A participation
- Recording availability
Podcast Appearances
- Interview format discussions
- Long-form conversations
- Academic podcasts
- General interest shows
Corporate & Organizational Speaking
Professional Development
Topics Include:
- Understanding workplace conflict through mimetic theory
- Leadership and desire in organizational settings
- Team building through awareness of mimetic dynamics
- Conflict resolution strategies
Non-Profit Organizations
Relevant for:
- Peace and justice organizations
- Religious institutions
- Educational foundations
- Community development groups
Healthcare & Counseling
Applications:
- Understanding patient-provider dynamics
- Therapeutic applications of mimetic theory
- Trauma-informed care perspectives
- Group therapy insights
Event Booking Information
What We Provide
- Professional presentation materials
- Discussion guides
- Book signing opportunities
- Travel coordination assistance
Technical Requirements
- Standard presentation setup (projector, screen, microphone)
- Room capacity appropriate for audience size
- Book sales table space (if desired)
Pricing & Availability
- Honorarium varies by event type and location
- Travel expenses covered by host organization
- Virtual events available at reduced rates
- Educational discounts available
- Pro bono appearances considered for qualifying organizations
Booking Request Form
To Request Dr. Ebrahimian for Your Event:
Required Information:
- Event date and time
- Location (in-person or virtual)
- Expected audience size and demographics
- Preferred topic or custom topic request
- Event type (academic, book club, corporate, etc.)
- Budget range
- Contact information
Preferred Topics:
□ Understanding Mimetic Desire
□ The Scapegoat Mechanism
□ René Girard’s Legacy
□ Violence and Literature
□ Practical Applications
Event Format:
□ Keynote presentation
□ Academic lecture
□ Workshop format
□ Book club discussion
□ Panel participation
Why Book Dr. Ebrahimian?
Unique Perspective
- Direct student of René Girard
- Personal stories and insights
- Academic rigor with accessible presentation
- Interdisciplinary approach
Engaging Speaker
- Conversational, warm presentation style
- Interactive discussion format
- Practical applications
- Memorable examples and illustrations
Proven Experience
- University teaching at Stanford, Columbia, Queens College
- Film and theater background for dynamic presentations
- Book club and community speaking experience
- Virtual and in-person event expertise
Planning Timeline
For Best Availability:
- Book 2-3 months in advance for in-person events
- 4-6 weeks for virtual presentations
- Academic year bookings: Plan by summer prior
- Conference presentations: Follow conference deadlines
Rush Bookings:
- Limited availability for events within 2 weeks
- Virtual events more flexible for short notice
- Additional fees may apply for rush bookings
Special Event Considerations
Book Launch Celebrations
- Coordinate with local bookstores
- Media availability
- Special presentation format
- Reception planning assistance
Conference Presentations
- Panel discussion participation
- Academic paper presentation
- Workshop facilitation
- Poster session availability
Multi-Day Events
- Intensive workshop formats
- Multiple presentation topics
- Individual consultation availability
- Extended Q&A sessions
Ready to bring insights from “How Violence Works” to your audience?