Nolan Higdon
Keynote Speaker: Author of "Let’s Agree to Disagree" and Professor of History, Education, Communication
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Nolan Higdon Biography
Nolan Higdon is a Lecturer at Merrill College and the Education Department at University of California, Santa Cruz. Higdon’s areas of concentration include podcasting, digital culture, news media history, propaganda, and critical media literacy. Higdon's focuses on the political economy of news media and so-called fake news, the intersection of politics and media (especially digital culture), and the utility of critical media literacy. Higdon has a long history of developing classroom content and teacher trainings focused on expanding critical media literacy education.
All of Higdon’s work is available at Substack. He is the author of The "Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education" (2020); "Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication", "Conflict Management", and "Critical Media Literacy" (2022); "The Media And Me: A Guide To Critical Media Literacy For Young People" (2022); and the forthcoming "Surveillance Education: Navigating the conspicuous absence of privacy in schools" (Routledge). Higdon is a regular source of expertise for CBS, NBC, The New York Times, and The San Francisco Chronicle.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Nolan Higdon and other top speakers and celebrities.
Nolan Higdon Speaking Topics
Fake news isn’t new—but today, it spreads faster and hits harder thanks to smartphones, social media, and AI. In this talk, Nolan Higdon breaks down who creates disinformation, why it works, and how it spreads. He shares how media companies and tech platforms actually profit from fake news—and what we can do to stop being fooled or used. You’ll leave with practical skills to spot disinformation, tools to teach others how to think critically about news, and simple actions anyone can take to fight back.
You’ll Learn:
- The different types of fake news and how they work
- ‘Don’t let ‘Fake News’ steer your sales judgment’
- Why platforms like Facebook and TikTok help fake news go viral
- What you, your school, or your community can do to build media literacy
- Easy, everyday ways to push back against the spread of lies
Why It’s Different:
Most people act like fake news is a new crisis. Nolan shows that it’s actually a long-term problem—and offers real, non-partisan solutions anyone can use. You'll leave with a plan, not just more problems.
Tired of arguments that go nowhere? You’re not alone. These days, even small disagreements turn into big fights—and the media and politicians love to stir the pot. In this talk, Nolan Higdon shows how we got here, and how we can turn things around. Instead of yelling or avoiding tough conversations, you’ll learn how to have respectful, smart discussions—even with people who totally disagree with you.
You’ll Learn:
- Why public debate has gotten so toxic
- How media and politics make division worse
- Tools you can use to have better conversations
- Ways to bring respectful dialogue into your classroom, workplace, or community
Why It’s Different:
This isn’t about pretending both sides are always right. Nolan shows how we can challenge bad ideas without shutting down discussion—and gives you a plan to bring civil discourse back into your life.
From Zoom to digital textbooks to online testing, schools are more high-tech than ever—but it comes at a cost. In this talk, Nolan Higdon explains how education technology (or ed-tech) is collecting data, tracking students, and quietly changing what learning means. He makes big ideas like “surveillance capitalism” easy to understand—and shows how these tools affect teachers, students, and society. You’ll leave with clear steps to protect privacy, keep education democratic, and push back against tech that does more harm than good.
You’ll Learn:
- How tech companies use schools to collect data
- What’s being lost when classrooms go digital
- How teachers, students, and parents can resist harmful ed-tech
- Policies and practices that support real learning—not just monitoring
Why It’s Different:
Most people think school tech is just about convenience. Nolan shows how it’s really about power—and gives you the tools to challenge that power and protect education.
When the internet went mainstream in the '90s, no one asked the hard questions. Now we’re dealing with constant surveillance, online hate, and deep division. Nolan Higdon says AI could be even worse—unless we act now. This talk breaks down what AI really is, clears up the hype and fear, and explains how it’s already changing jobs, culture, privacy, and democracy. You’ll leave with a solid understanding of what’s at stake—and a plan for how to respond.
You’ll Learn:
- What AI is (and isn’t)—in simple terms
- How it’s already impacting your life
- What lessons we should’ve learned from the internet boom
- What you can do to shape AI’s future—from everyday actions to policy ideas
Why It’s Different:
This isn’t a doom-and-gloom talk. Nolan gives people the facts, clears up confusion, and offers a roadmap for action. You'll leave informed, empowered, and ready to make a difference.
Nolan Higdon Videos
Surveillance Education: Navigating the Conspicuous Absence of Privacy in Schools (Critical Interventions)
Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication, Conflict Management, and Critical Media Literacy
The Media and Me: A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People
The Podcaster's Dilemma: Decolonizing Podcasters in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism
The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education
How do I book Nolan Higdon to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Nolan Higdon 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 Nolan Higdon, 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 Nolan Higdon or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Nolan Higdon for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Nolan Higdon, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Nolan Higdon are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Nolan Higdon, 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 Nolan Higdon speak about?
Nolan Higdon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Leadership, Professors, History, News & Media, Education, Artificial Intelligence and Podcast Host.
Where does Nolan Higdon travel from?
Nolan Higdon generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Nolan Higdon?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Nolan Higdon 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 Nolan Higdon 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 Nolan Higdon 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.
Nolan Higdon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Author, Leadership and Professors. The estimated speaking fee range to book Nolan Higdon for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Nolan Higdon generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Renee Hobbs, Akhil Amar and Dannagal Young. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Nolan Higdon for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Nolan Higdon Speaking Topics
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The Roots and Realities of Fake News: What You Can Do About Disinformation
Fake news isn’t new—but today, it spreads faster and hits harder thanks to smartphones, social media, and AI. In this talk, Nolan Higdon breaks down who creates disinformation, why it works, and how it spreads. He shares how media companies and tech platforms actually profit from fake news—and what we can do to stop being fooled or used. You’ll leave with practical skills to spot disinformation, tools to teach others how to think critically about news, and simple actions anyone can take to fight back.
You’ll Learn:
- The different types of fake news and how they work
- ‘Don’t let ‘Fake News’ steer your sales judgment’
- Why platforms like Facebook and TikTok help fake news go viral
- What you, your school, or your community can do to build media literacy
- Easy, everyday ways to push back against the spread of lies
Why It’s Different:
Most people act like fake news is a new crisis. Nolan shows that it’s actually a long-term problem—and offers real, non-partisan solutions anyone can use. You'll leave with a plan, not just more problems.
-
Let’s Agree to Disagree: How to Talk to People Who Don’t Agree With You
Tired of arguments that go nowhere? You’re not alone. These days, even small disagreements turn into big fights—and the media and politicians love to stir the pot. In this talk, Nolan Higdon shows how we got here, and how we can turn things around. Instead of yelling or avoiding tough conversations, you’ll learn how to have respectful, smart discussions—even with people who totally disagree with you.
You’ll Learn:
- Why public debate has gotten so toxic
- How media and politics make division worse
- Tools you can use to have better conversations
- Ways to bring respectful dialogue into your classroom, workplace, or community
Why It’s Different:
This isn’t about pretending both sides are always right. Nolan shows how we can challenge bad ideas without shutting down discussion—and gives you a plan to bring civil discourse back into your life.
-
Surveillance Schooling: How Ed-Tech Is Changing Education—And What You Can Do About It
From Zoom to digital textbooks to online testing, schools are more high-tech than ever—but it comes at a cost. In this talk, Nolan Higdon explains how education technology (or ed-tech) is collecting data, tracking students, and quietly changing what learning means. He makes big ideas like “surveillance capitalism” easy to understand—and shows how these tools affect teachers, students, and society. You’ll leave with clear steps to protect privacy, keep education democratic, and push back against tech that does more harm than good.
You’ll Learn:
- How tech companies use schools to collect data
- What’s being lost when classrooms go digital
- How teachers, students, and parents can resist harmful ed-tech
- Policies and practices that support real learning—not just monitoring
Why It’s Different:
Most people think school tech is just about convenience. Nolan shows how it’s really about power—and gives you the tools to challenge that power and protect education.
-
We Blew It with the Internet. Let’s Not Repeat the Mistake with AI
When the internet went mainstream in the '90s, no one asked the hard questions. Now we’re dealing with constant surveillance, online hate, and deep division. Nolan Higdon says AI could be even worse—unless we act now. This talk breaks down what AI really is, clears up the hype and fear, and explains how it’s already changing jobs, culture, privacy, and democracy. You’ll leave with a solid understanding of what’s at stake—and a plan for how to respond.
You’ll Learn:
- What AI is (and isn’t)—in simple terms
- How it’s already impacting your life
- What lessons we should’ve learned from the internet boom
- What you can do to shape AI’s future—from everyday actions to policy ideas
Why It’s Different:
This isn’t a doom-and-gloom talk. Nolan gives people the facts, clears up confusion, and offers a roadmap for action. You'll leave informed, empowered, and ready to make a difference.
VIDEO
Nolan Higdon Videos
BOOKS
Surveillance Education: Navigating the Conspicuous Absence of Privacy in Schools (Critical Interventions)
Let’s Agree to Disagree: A Critical Thinking Guide to Communication, Conflict Management, and Critical Media Literacy
The Media and Me: A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People
The Podcaster's Dilemma: Decolonizing Podcasters in the Era of Surveillance Capitalism
The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education
FAQS
-
How do I book Nolan Higdon to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Nolan Higdon 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 Nolan Higdon, 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 Nolan Higdon or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Nolan Higdon for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Nolan Higdon, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Nolan Higdon are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Nolan Higdon, 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 Nolan Higdon speak about?
Nolan Higdon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Leadership, Professors, History, News & Media, Education, Artificial Intelligence and Podcast Host. -
Where does Nolan Higdon travel from?
Nolan Higdon generally travels from San Francisco, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Nolan Higdon?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Nolan Higdon 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 Nolan Higdon 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 Nolan Higdon 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.
BOOK NOLAN HIGDON
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