SFU Public Square

🎤 Meet the Speaker: Eden Robinson | The Sorceress of Sky Serpents Book Launch

An internationally acclaimed Haisla and Heiltsuk author, Robinson is celebrated for bringing Indigenous stories to life. Her latest novel, The Sorceress of Sky Serpents Book Launch, follows a woman whose unusual connection to creatures feared as monsters could save her people.

Join us for a vibrant evening in September with Robinson and Secwépemc and St’at’imc writer Julian Brave NoiseCat (Julian Brave NoiseCat) to discuss the power of Indigenous mythology and storytelling. The evening will open with a welcome from manuel axel strain and include a post-event reception, where Robinson will be signing books.

This event is supported by Random House Canada, SFU Library, SFU LIVE, CapULibrary, and Talking Stick Festival.

A signed copy of The Sorceress of Sky Serpents is included with the purchase of a Book Ticket.

📅 September 28, 2026, from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
📍 Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
🔗 Link in bio

What power lies in Indigenous storytelling, mythology, and imagination?

Spend an evening celebrating internationally acclaimed Haisla and Heiltsuk author Eden Robinson’s new novel, The Sorceress of Sky Serpents.

Following a welcome from , Robinson will be joined by Secwépemc and St’at’imc writer Julian Brave NoiseCat () for a conversation exploring the inspirations behind her richly imagined world, the role of Indigenous mythology in contemporary fantasy, and how stories can carry culture, identity and resilience.

The evening will feature an engaging discussion, an audience Q&A and a post-event reception, where Robinson will be signing books. Other books by Robinson and NoiseCat will also be available for purchase onsite.

This event is supported by , , , , and .

📅 September 28, 2026, from 6:00pm – 8:30pm
📍 Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
🔗 Link in bio

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and experience the public spaces that shape everyday life in our communities ☀️

From waterfronts and scenic parks to civic gathering spaces, we rounded up a few of our favourite places across the Lower Mainland that invite connection, reflection, and civic engagement.

Discover more public spaces by reading the full blog. Link in bio 🔗

In this new blog, Events, Communications, and Marketing Assistant Helen shares her experience navigating uncertainty and imposter syndrome during her first co-op term at SFU’s Dialogue and Engagement Unit.

Through supporting public conversations to working within a collaborative team, she explores the quieter kinds of growth that come from everyday experiences, meaningful connection, and embracing the learning process.

Learn more about her co-op journey through the link in our bio 🔗

Mark your calendars for a night with Eden Robinson and the launch of her new novel The Sorceress of Sky Serpents on September 28, 2026. 🗓️

Tickets will include a signed copy of her book.

Stay tuned for registration details!

From the emergence of AI to shifting global power relations, it’s easy to feel disoriented in today’s world.

This year, economic historian Adam Tooze () joined us as the visiting speaker of the Munro Lecture to discuss how overlapping global pressures, rapid technological change, and evolving political tensions are reshaping the way we understand the present.

While the moment is marked by significant uncertainty, Adam Tooze also highlighted areas of progress that offer reasons for cautious optimism.

This event was co-hosted by , SFU’s President’s Office, and , with funding provided by the John M. Munro Lecture Endowment Fund. We’d also like to thank the members of the Munro Selection Committee: Kiffer Card, Amy Lee, and Gordon McTaggart.

Read the full blog at the link in bio 🔗

Meet the Speaker: Jessie Hemphill | Black Public Joy Special Literary and Cultural Gathering

Of Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, Métis, and settler descent, Jessie Hemphill () will share her perspectives shaped by Indigenous ways of understanding land and place at the Black Public Joy book launch, reading, and book signing.

Join us for a storytelling gathering that moves beyond a traditional book event into a celebration of culture, conversation and community.

🗓️ May 11, 2026 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm (Doors open 6:00pm)
📍 The Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre
🔗 Register now. Link in bio.

Meet the Speaker: Jay Pitter () | Black Public Joy Special Literary and Cultural Gathering

An award-winning public space practitioner and thinker, Jay Pitter will offer insights on how to rethink urban spaces through her public joy framework, with a focus on fostering connection, belonging, and well-being.

We invite you to take part in her Black Public Joy Special Literary and Cultural Gathering, which will also include a reception, music, live hair braiding ritual, and book signing.

🗓️ May 11, 2026 from 6:00pm – 9:30pm
📍 The Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre
🔗 Register now. Link in bio.

The role of the public university is shifting.

At the launch of Ideas in Action, SFU brought together scholars, students, and community members to explore what comes next in a time of uncertainty and change.

From rupture to relational accountability, the conversation challenged us to rethink not just what universities do — but how they exist, and who they serve.

One idea stood out:
The future of the public university isn’t fixed.
It’s something we’re shaping together.

Read the full blog at the link in bio

The rupture of today’s polycrisis didn’t just happen overnight – it has been years in the making.

At the 2026 Munro Lecture, Adam Tooze () moved across history and the present moment to unpack how the convergence of global crises shapes the conditions we’re living through now, and why they can’t be understood in isolation.

A sincere thank you to Adam Tooze, Joy Johnson, Mary O'Brien, and Elder Graunty Terri Mae Galligos, whose sharp insights and perspectives helped build a rich, thoughtful conversation, and to everyone who showed up with real curiosity and a desire to learn.

More conversations and upcoming events to come.

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