𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗜 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
A powerful keynote presentation from author and journalist Tim Smedley on water scarcity and why proactive water management is imperative
Talks and Speaking Events
I've given book talks and keynote speeches at international literature festivals, science festivals, corporate events, conferences, even music festivals. If you're interested in booking, get in touch via my contact page.
Latest talks and keynote speeches
Connecting the Dots Conference, 2025
Connect the Dots Conference 2025, two days dedicated to sparking ideas, forging relationships, and shaping the future, with industry leaders and innovators, to challenge and inspire. Birmingham UK, September 2025.
Salisbury Cathedral, Living Water 2025
This summer, four leading experts will present three thought-provoking talks exploring key themes from their recent publications, all inspired by or centered around water. These events are part of Salisbury Cathedral’s 2025 creative programming on the theme of water, which also includes the new summer art exhibition Living Water.
Talk at Sainsbury's HQ
"... we were delighted to be joined by award winning author Tim Smedley. His book, 'The Last Drop: Solving the World's Water Crisis', expertly brings home the depth of the challenge we face across the globe in relation to water, but also the accessibility of solutions at all scales and across all geographies."
Chipping Campden literary festival
The last day of the Chipping Campden Literature Festival kicked off with award-winning environmental journalist, Tim Smedley, who discussed his acclaimed book, The Last Drop: Solving the World’s Water Crisis.
The Last Drop: Tim Smedley comes to Alnwick Story Fest
Alnwick Story Fest will join forces with What a Wonderful World Festival in an exciting new partnership to present the latest book by renowned environmental journalist Tim Smedley. Tim's book The Last Drop looks at the global water crisis, both shortages and excesses, and some encouraging future solutions.
Cheltenham Science Festival: Author Tim Smedley and professor Priti Parikh
Award-winning environmental journalist Tim Smedley and Professor Priti Parikh offer a fascinating account of what has led us to this point and look at the success stories that show us practical ways to address the crisis.
Tim Smedley at Hay Festival 2023
Tim Smedley gives a thought-provoking and gripping look into his newest book The Last Drop, an investigation into the world’s next great climate crisis: the scarcity of water. Smedley offers a fascinating, honest and ultimately hopeful account of the crisis and how we might address it before it’s too late. He talks to Hay Festival Sustainability Director Andy Fryers.
NI Science Festival, Royal Society Keynote Lecture: Clearing the Air
With over 180 events across 50+ venues, the NI Science Festival offers a stimulating and wide range of events focusing on the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, from Northern Ireland and beyond.
Keynote speakers include Tim Smedley on ‘Clearing The Air’ (shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2019)
Keynote speakers include Tim Smedley on ‘Clearing The Air’ (shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize 2019)
Fully Charged Live
With the current climate, (no pun intended) I was made aware of a fantastic book by author Tim Smedley called “Clearing the Air”. Why I wanted Tim to join us at FC Live was because he is a true believer that pollution in more urban areas is a real danger to adults and especially our children.
The Hay Festival: Tim Smedley talks to Andy Fryers
Globally, 18,000 people die each day from air pollution, a far greater number than those who die from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and car crashes combined. The overwhelming majority of air pollutants are local, short-lived and can be stopped at source. The benefits to health are instant and dramatic, and we can all play a part in clearing our air. Award-winning sustainability journalist Tim Smedley explains how.
Dublin Electric Vehicle Summit: Keynote Address
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Why Electrify? Air pollution and how to solve it…
2020 will see more new models of electric cars hit the market than ever before. But take-up remains slow and infrastructure will need to be improved to persuade consumers to make the transition. So, what are we doing this all for? In this talk our speaker will share the learning’s from his latest book Cleaning The Air.
2020 will see more new models of electric cars hit the market than ever before. But take-up remains slow and infrastructure will need to be improved to persuade consumers to make the transition. So, what are we doing this all for? In this talk our speaker will share the learning’s from his latest book Cleaning The Air.
Paris Autonomy Urban Mobility Summit: Keynote
Keynote Speech: Air Pollution in the Age of Autonomy. The Urban Mobility Summit Paris brings together a powerful international community to build relationships while exploring big-picture ideas in mobility.
Sheffield Off the Shelf Festival
Tim Smedley tells the full story of air pollution: what it is, which pollutants are harmful, where they come from and what we can do about them. Amidst terrifying statistics, he uncovers the hope that remains for the planet with inspiring stories of how cities like Mexico City have reduced pollution.
The Best Science Books of 2019 | Expert Recommendations
“Science is a profoundly human endeavour. The stories of triumph and success in science, alongside the failures and despair, are compelling.” From a data-driven account of air pollution to a book that makes calculus fun, 2019 has been a great year for science books...
Radio 4 - Inside Science: Tim Smedley's book on air pollution
Tim Smedley's book 'Cleaning the Air: The Beginning and End of Air Pollution' is shortlisted for the Royal Society's science book prize. Tim tells the full story of air pollution: what it is, which pollutants are harmful, and where they come from. It's scary stuff, but there is good news that air pollution can be avoided and drastically reduced with sensible measures.
Fully Charged Show - Live
With the current climate, (no pun intended) I was made aware of a fantastic book by author Tim Smedley called “Clearing the Air”. Why I wanted Tim to join us at FC Live was because he is a true believer that pollution in more urban areas is a real danger to adults and especially our children.
Interviewed on BBC Radio 4, You and Yours
[Interview clip starts at 20.08]
The environmental journalist Tim Smedley began researching air pollution after the birth of his first child five years ago, and he's made it the subject of his first book – “Clearing the Air”...
The environmental journalist Tim Smedley began researching air pollution after the birth of his first child five years ago, and he's made it the subject of his first book – “Clearing the Air”...
Conference moderator: Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona
Public spaces are an essential part of a city’s infrastructure and, as we try to make cities more sustainable and liveable, green spaces can be part of the solution. Moderated by Tim Smedley...
Developing countries lead in clean energy
Renewable energy used to be deemed unaffordable for developing countries. Wind and solar were rich country luxuries, while 'third world' economies could only be expected to grow on a diet of dirty fossil fuels. As recently as June 2014, Bill Gates blogged: “Poor countries… can’t afford today’s expensive clean energy solutions and we can’t expect them to wait for the technology to get cheaper.”
However, the past two years have seen this received wisdom turned on its head...
However, the past two years have seen this received wisdom turned on its head...
At Work with the FT: Joanna Jensen, founder and CEO, Childs Farm
Joanna Jensen is having to sell her stables. The former horse breeder who left a career in investment banking says her children’s toiletries business “has just taken over my life — I don’t have time to ride”.
Her two daughters Mimi, 10, and Bella, seven, are more into athletics than horses, she sighs.
She does, however, have her daughters to thank for the new venture — Childs Farm — which began as a homemade recipe to soothe their sensitive skin in 2010. It is now a fully fledged business with a £2.1m turnover in 2015.
Her two daughters Mimi, 10, and Bella, seven, are more into athletics than horses, she sighs.
She does, however, have her daughters to thank for the new venture — Childs Farm — which began as a homemade recipe to soothe their sensitive skin in 2010. It is now a fully fledged business with a £2.1m turnover in 2015.
Wearables for babies: saving lives or instilling fear in parents?
Following the success of adult fitness wearables like Fitbit, new companies are connecting babies to smartphone apps and giving parents live information about their baby’s breathing, skin temperature, heart rate and sleeping patterns.
The Owlet has adapted pulse oximetry technology (the clip they put on your finger in hospitals to monitor heart rate) to create a baby sock that monitors heart rate and oxygen levels. Sproutling has integrated the same technology into a strap that goes round th
The Owlet has adapted pulse oximetry technology (the clip they put on your finger in hospitals to monitor heart rate) to create a baby sock that monitors heart rate and oxygen levels. Sproutling has integrated the same technology into a strap that goes round th
Interview: Fiona Dawson, global president, Mars foods
At the Mars Foods testing centre in rural Leicestershire, Fiona Dawson greets the FT having just tasted new recipes. “We had salad with wholegrain, new dipping sauces, lasagne and stir-fry,” she says. Does she like the taste of Dolmio and Uncle Ben’s sauces? “Thankfully, I’m a big fan! I don’t think you could do a job like mine without loving your products.”
As global president of Mars food, drinks, and multisales, one of about a dozen senior executives who report to Grant F Reid, the company president, Ms Dawson’s office is at headquarters in Brussels...
As global president of Mars food, drinks, and multisales, one of about a dozen senior executives who report to Grant F Reid, the company president, Ms Dawson’s office is at headquarters in Brussels...
At Work with the FT: James Thornton, ClientEarth
At ClientEarth’s offices in east London, glass walls overlook leafy London Fields. James Thornton, 62, founder and chief executive, is an avid ornithologist, so bird feeders hang outside. The 60 or so lawyers occupied by fossil fuel, fisheries and air pollution law, enjoy fittingly green offices.
Mr Thornton, who started the firm from a desk in a one-bedroom flat 10 years ago, greets the FT with warmth, before locking eyes in the manner of a Zen priest — which, incidentally, he also happens to be.
Mr Thornton, who started the firm from a desk in a one-bedroom flat 10 years ago, greets the FT with warmth, before locking eyes in the manner of a Zen priest — which, incidentally, he also happens to be.
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