Videos & Talks
Grand Theft Utopia: The Social Power of Video Games
Can video games be art? Can interactive media be more than a weapon of mass distraction? The director of UVic’s Digital Storytelling and Social Simulation Lab makes the case for the social power of video games.
Chasing Utopia: The Future of the Kibbutz in a Divided Israel
Chasing Utopia, an “investigative travel memoir,” provides an introduction to the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as seen through the rise, fall and transformation of the legendary kibbutz movement.
Look Back to Galilee: What a Century of Kibbutz Life Can Teach About Community (Part 1)
Look Back to Galilee: What a Century of Kibbutz Life Can Teach About Community (Part 2)
Readings, Talks, Panels, Workshops and Presentations
Dec. 12, 2019 “Look Back to Galilee: Understanding Israel, Amos Oz and Myself Through the Spirit of the Kibbutz.” Talk at Calgary Jewish Book Festival, Calgary, AB
Dec. 11, 2019 “10 Secrets of Writing and Publishing Nonfiction.” Workshop at Calgary Jewish Book Festival, Calgary, AB
May 22, 2019 “Games in the Classroom.” Presenter on two-person panel at Connect U, University of Victoria.
Nov. 19, 2018 “Can Video Games Be Art?” Guest lecture in FA 101, University of Victoria.
Nov. 9, 2018 Co-panelist, “Games Against Climate Change.” Workshop about video games, education and climate change, McPherson Library, University of Victoria.
Nov. 2, 2018 “Simulating Utopia in a Divided Land.” Creative project presentation and workshop, Society for Utopian Studies conference, Berkeley, CA.
Sept. 26, 2018 Video-taped reading from Chasing Utopia, Frank Hegyi Award for Emerging Authors ceremony, Ottawa, ON.
Aug. 29, 2018 Co-panelist, “Avoiding Chocolate-Covered Broccoli.” Panel presentation on video games, education and climate change, PAX Dev conference, Seattle, WA.
June 16, 2018 Moderator, “Media: Interfaces” panel at Canadian Writers Summit, Harbourfront, Toronto, ON
June 16, 2018 “Literature in the Ludic Century: Why Interactive Media Should Matter to Creative Writers.” Panel presentation at Canadian Writers Summit, Harbourfront, Toronto, ON.
Oct. 28, 2017 Co-panelist, “Students and the Writing Ecology.” Panel presentation at Writing in Dangerous Times: Survival, Joy, Resistance Symposium, OCAD, Toronto, ON
Sept. 26, 2017 Faculty reading, Department of Writing, University of Victoria.
Aug. 2, 2017 “UVic, Video Games & You.” Guest talk at Independent Games Designers Association meeting, Victoria, BC.
May 4, 2017 “Creating Common Ground: Community-Campus Mapping and Storytelling for Decolonized and Place-based Learning and Research.” Co-panelist at CUExpo conference, Vancouver, BC.
April 27, 2017 “Can video games be art?” Co-panelist at Codename Entertainment staff workshop, Victoria, BC.
April 12, 2017 “Digital Storytelling and Social Simulation Lab.” Presenter at the We Speak Translate Forum, organized by Google and the Inter-Cultural Association, Ocean Pointe Hotel, Victoria, BC
March 1, 2017 Reading from and discussion of Chasing Utopia, Vancouver Island University, Duncan, BC.
Feb.17, 2017 Co-organizer and MC, Digital Storytelling Workshop, full-day series of presentations and talks for community members on interactive media, University of Victoria.
Feb. 3, 2017 “Grand Theft Utopia: Can video games save the world?” Guest talk at Codename Entertainment staff workshop, Victoria, BC.
Dec. 10, 2016 Guest talk about Chasing Utopia and Israeli kibbutz movement, Jewish Community Centre discussion group, Victoria, BC.
Nov. 16, 2016 Book launch and reading from Chasing Utopia at Open Space Gallery, Victoria, BC.
Nov. 14, 2016 “Can Video Games Be Art?” Guest lecture in FA 101, University of Victoria.
Oct. 27, 2016 “Chasing Utopia: The Rise and Fall — and Transformation — of the Kibbutz Ideal in Israel.” Presentation at the Department of Israel Studies, Kibbutz Symposium, at the American University, Washington, DC
Oct. 1, 2016 “Writing the Double Narrative: An Outsider Tries to Get Inside the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict.” Panelist at Writing as Social Practice Symposium, TIA House, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Sept. 30, 2016 Book launch and reading at Shelf Life Books, Calgary, AB.
Sept. 28, 2016 Faculty reading, Department of Writing, University of Victoria.
June 18, 2016 “Of Humane Bondage: In praise of literary constraints for creative pedagogy.” Panelist at Canadian Creative Writers and Writing Programs conference, Harbourfront, Toronto, ON.
June 17, 2016 “Can Creative Writing Be Taught?” Panelist and moderator at Canadian Creative Writers and Writing Programs conference, Harbourfront, Toronto, ON.
June 12, 2016 “Kibbutz: The Settlers of Palestine — Simulating Community in a Divided Land.” Demonstration and discussion about interactive media project at Canadian Games Studies Association conference, Congress, Calgary, AB.
Oct. 22, 2015 “Gamification for Online Engagement in Higher Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Presentation at COHERE Conference, University of Victoria.
Sept. 24, 2015 Faculty reading, Department of Writing, University of Victoria.
July 9, 2015 “Attack of the Campus ARGs!” Panel presentation at Games Learning Society 11 Conference, Madison, WI.
May 22, 2015 “Gaming the Classroom.” Panel presenter at Social Media Camp conference. Victoria, BC.
April 27, 2015 “Design and Development of Badging in Higher-Ed Learning Environments.” Panel presenter and moderator at BC Net Conference, Vancouver, BC.
Feb. 27, 2015 “Enter the Labyrinth: The promise and perils of video games in higher education.” Presentation on video games in the academy at Department of Art History and Visual Studies Symposium, University of Victoria.
Feb. 16, 2015 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Guest talk about adventure travel, mythology and storytelling, WRIT 100, University of Victoria.
Feb. 2, 2015 “Statistics for Journalists.” Guest talk about statistical literacy, WRIT 315, University of Victoria.
Jan. 9, 2015 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Talk about adventure travel, mythology and storytelling for students at Maria Montessori Academy, Victoria, BC.
Jan. 8, 2015 “Grand Theft Utopia: Can Video Games Save the World?” Talk about social power of video games for students at Reynolds Secondary School, Victoria, BC.
Oct. 22, 2014 “Gaming the Classroom.” Presentation on research and use of video games and gamification in education, Breaking the Mould: Innovations in Undergraduate Education Conference, Simon Fraser University, BC.
Sept. 27, 2014 Reading from “Where the Wild Things Are,” excerpt from explore Magazine. Rural Writers in Residence Conference, Smithers, BC.
Sept. 27, 2014 “The Wandering ‘I’.” Workshop on travel journalism and memoir, Rural Writers in Residence Conference, Smithers, BC.
Sept. 26, 2014 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Keynote talk about adventure travel, mythology and storytelling, Rural Writers in Residence Conference, Smithers, B.C.
Sept. 23, 2014 Faculty reading, Department of Writing, University of Victoria.
Aug. 29, 2014 “Gaming the Classroom.” Organized, presented and moderated a workshop on the use of video games in education at UVic, Let’s Talk About Teaching Symposium, University of Victoria.
Aug. 29, 2014 “Gamification for Online Engagement in Higher Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Poster presentation at Let’s Talk About Teaching Symposium, University of Victoria.
Aug. 28 2014 “Effective Technology & Learning in the Classroom.” Talk about use of educational technologies to new faculty members at UVic, Essentials for Career Success, University of Victoria.
June 17, 2014 “Video Games in Education.” Talk about video games and education to students in a post-degree institute course for secondary teachers, Faculty of Education, University of Victoria.
June 12, 2014 “Inquiry and Learning through Mobile Game Design.” Panel presentation at Games Learning Society 10 Conference, Madison, WI.
June 11, 2014 “Gamification for Online Engagement in Higher Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Panel presentation at Games Learning Society 10 Conference, Madison, WI.
June 10, 2014 “VicTopia: Campus of the Future.” Presentation at ARIS Summit, Games Learning Society 10 Conference, Madison, WI.
March 17, 2014 “Gamification.” Workshop on gamification research and tools in higher education as part of Digital Café at Academic Learning Retreat, University of Victoria.
March 5, 2014 “AC Hacks: Interdisciplinary @ UVic.” Panelist on an IdeaFest event that discussed interdisciplinary studies at UVic, University of Victoria.
Feb. 21, 2014 Reading from Fatal Tide. WordsThaw Literary Festival, Victoria, BC.
Jan. 6, 2014 “Gameful Design for Online Engagement.” Presented research at Digital Humanities virtual poster session, McPherson Library, University of Victoria.
Nov. 27, 2013 Panelist for post-screening discussion of Google and the World Brain, Open Cinema, Victoria Event Centre.
Oct. 24, 2013 “Hacking the Classroom 2.0.” Co-facilitator for workshop at Learning & Teaching Centre, University of Victoria.
Oct. 23, 2013 “Adventures in EdTech.” Guest lecture to students in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LATHE) graduate certificate program, Learning & Teaching Centre, University of Victoria.
Sept. 26, 2013 Faculty reading, Department of Writing, University of Victoria.
Sept. 20, 2013 “Escape from Contemporaneity.” Presentation on video games as art at Department of History in Art Symposium, University of Victoria.
June 27, 2013 “Greening the Suburbs.” Workshop at International Communal Studies Association triennial conference, June 26-28, 2013, Findhorn, Scotland.
June 26, 2013 “Kibbutzing the ‘Burbs.” Presentation at International Communal Studies Association triennial conference, June 26-28, 2013, Findhorn, Scotland.
April 14, 2013 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Keynote address for Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice conference, Laurel Point Inn, Victoria, BC.
Dec. 5, 2012 “Long-Term Thinking with Technologies.” Participant in panel discussion organized as part of Honorary Doctorate program for George Dyson, University of Victoria.
Nov. 1, 2012 “All the News That’s Fit to Link: The Problem of Journalism in the Digital Age.” Talk given to the Electronic Textual Cultures Lab Brown Bag Series, Digital Humanities, University of Victoria.
Oct. 13, 2012 “The Bendy Truth.” Host and moderator for creative nonfiction session at Victoria Writers Festival, Camosun College
Aug. 31, 2012 “Hacking the Classroom.” Co-presented workshop about innovative teaching spaces, Let’s Talk About Teaching Day, Teaching and Learning Centre, University of Victoria.
May 24, 2012 “Time and Memoir.” Co-presented professional development craft workshop, Creative Nonfiction Collective annual conference, UBC, Vancouver
Feb. 29, 2012 “Where the Truth Lies: Objectivity, Authenticity and the Future of Print Culture.” Guest lecture in TS400 seminar, University of Victoria.
Feb. 7, 2012 Introduced and moderated a Q&A for creative nonfiction authors Charlotte Gill and Barbara Stewart, Cabin 12, Victoria.
Feb. 1 2012 “EdTech Case Studies.” Presentation of video-recorded web talks about educational technology use, University of Victoria
Jan. 10, 2012 “Clicker Dialogue: Techniques for Supporting Student Engagement.” Presentation and panel discussion about use of iClickers in a large Fine Arts course, Learning Systems, University of Victoria.
Dec. 14, 2011 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Keynote talk about adventure travel, mythology and cultural awareness for English Language Instructors Professional Development Conference, Continuing Studies, University of Victoria.
Nov. 19, 2011 “Kibbutzing Your ‘Hood.” Talk about kibbutz architecture and community building at TEDxVictoria conference, Victoria, B.C.
May 18, 2011 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Talk about adventure travel, mythology and cultural awareness for UVic Homestay Program, Continuing Studies, University of Victoria.
May 5, 2011 “Inside Story.” Keynote address about narrative journalism at Black Press Editorial Training Conference, Nanaimo, BC.
April 30, 2011 “Who Judges the Judges? Behind the Screens of Canada’s CNF Contests.” Talk and panel discussion at Creative Nonfiction Collective annual conference, The Banff Centre, Alberta.
June 29, 2010 “Privatization Cinema: Representing Change in the Israeli Kibbutz.” Panel talk at International Communal Studies Association conference, Emek Yizreel College, Israel.
April 29, 2010 “Moodling in the Margins of a Writing Classroom.” Talk and Q&A at Online Teaching and Learning Showcase, Learning and Teaching Centre, University of Victoria.
April 24, 2010 “A Funny Thing Happened: Using Humour in Creative Nonfiction.” Talk and workshop at Creative Nonfiction Collective annual conference, The Banff Centre, Alberta.
March 18, 2010 “Look Back to Galilee: What a Century of Kibbutz Life Can Teach Canadians about Co-operation and Community.” Talk and Q&A, Centre for Co-operative and Community-Based Economy public lecture series, University of Victoria.
Dec. 18, 2009 “Case Studies in Innovative Ed Tech Use.” Filmed interview about Moodle use with Learning Systems, University of Victoria
Nov. 1, 2009 “The Kibbutz Movement, Privatization Cinema and HaZorea.” Talk and Q&A at Vancouver Jewish Film Festival.
Oct. 14, 2009 Reading from Fatal Tide. Victoria Butler Book Prize, Union Club, Victoria, BC.
Sept. 24, 2009 Reading from Homewrecked (work in progress). Department of Writing faculty reading, University of Victoria.
April 28, 2009 “Online Peer Assessment: What is Effective and Why?” Talk and panel Q&A at Foundations for Innovation Online Teaching and Learning Showcase, Learning and Teaching Centre, University of Victoria.
April 25, 2009 “Marketing Roundtable.” Moderated writers’ forum at Creative Nonfiction Collective annual conference, The Banff Centre, Alberta.
April 21, 2009 “Both Sides Now.” Talk and Q&A about working as both an editor and a writer, to a meeting of the Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island, Victoria, B.C.
March 19, 2009 “What is Blended Learning? The Promise and Perils of Integrating Face-to-face and Online Learning” Talk given at panel session, Instructional Technology Group, Learning and Teaching Centre, University of Victoria.
March 13, 2009 “Literary Journalism.” Talk and discussion with students at Western Academy of Photography, Written Image program, Victoria, BC.
Feb. 13, 2009 “Zooming Out, Zeroing In: The Big and Small of Nonfiction Workshops,” Pedagogy Forum, Association of Writers and Writing Programs conference, Chicago, Illinois.
Oct. 23, 2008 “Censorship and the Arts.” Talk and panel discussion. Public Issues Community Forum, Continuing Studies, University of Victoria.
Oct. 21, 2008 “Telling True Stories.” Reading, talk and Q&A about literary journalism for creative nonfiction class, Camosun College, Victoria, BC.
Sept. 24, 2008 Reading from Fatal Tide. Department of Writing faculty reading, University of Victoria.
Sept. 24, 2008 Reading, talk and Q&A about Fatal Tide and cold-water safety, for a meeting of the South Island Sea Kayaking Association, Victoria, BC.
Sept. 20, 2008 Reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, at opening ceremonies of new North Vancouver Civic Library, BC.
Aug. 16, 2008 Reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, at Rock of Pages literary festival, Fairfield Community Place, Victoria, BC.
July 21, 2008 Book launch, reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, Harbord House, Toronto, ON.
May 7, 2008 “Nonfiction Book Publishing.” Talk and discussion given to the Victoria Writers’ Society, monthly general meeting, Victoria, BC.
April 20, 2008 B.C. Magazines Cabaret. Reading from Fatal Tide at an event organized by the B.C. Association of Magazine Publishers, Victoria, BC.
April 17, 2008 “Life as a Writer.” Talk at Careers Day hosted by St. Margaret’s School, Victoria, BC.
April 16, 2008 Book launch, reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, University of Victoria Bookstore.
April 16, 2008 “Creating a Collaborative, Creative Environment.” Poster session at Moodle Course Showcase: Engaging Students Online, Learning and Teaching Centre, University of Victoria.
April 14, 2008 Book launch, reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, Polar Peek Bookstore, Fernie, BC.
April 13, 2008 Book launch, reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, Café Books, Canmore, AB.
April 12, 2008 “Who’s Afraid of the Nonfiction Novel?” Paper and discussion given to the Creative Nonfiction Collective, fifth annual conference, Banff, AB.
April 11, 2008 Reading from Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, Creative Nonfiction Collective, fifth annual conference, Banff, AB.
April 10, 2008 Book launch, reading and Q&A for Fatal Tide: When the Race of a Lifetime Goes Wrong, McNally & Robinson Bookstore, Calgary, AB.
March 8, 2008 “The Wandering ‘I’: Travel memoir vs. travel journalism.” Talk and discussion for student journalists at the Canadian University Press conference, University of Victoria.
Feb. 15, 2008 “Magazine Writing.” Talk and discussion with students at Western Academy of Photography, Written Image program, Victoria, BC.
Sept. 27, 2007 “Show Me The Monkeys!” Department of Writing faculty reading, University of Victoria.
May 5, 2007 Shift: Literary Explorations. Panelist at literary discussion and fundraiser hosted by the Victoria School of Writing, Open Space Gallery, Victoria, BC.
March 16, 2007 “Using Moodle for Group Projects.” Poster presentation and panel discussion about the use of interactive teaching software at the Humanities Project Showcase, University of Victoria.
Nov. 2, 2006 Banff Mountain Book Festival Awards Night. Introduced fellow judges and award winners, and gave overview of judging process and winning books.
Oct. 25, 2006 “What Can I Do with My Degree in Fine Arts?” Talk and panel participation at Careers Forum, University of Victoria.
Oct. 21, 2006 “Breaking into Magazine Writing.” Workshop given at the Surrey International Writers Conference, Surrey, BC.
Oct. 20, 2006 “The Wandering ‘I’: Travel journalism vs. travel memoir.” Workshop given at the Surrey International Writers Conference, Surrey, BC.
June 21, 2006 “¿Por Favor, Señor, Dondé Esta el Singletrack?” Reading and launch for Way Out There: The best of explore, Raincoast Adventure Sports, Victoria, BC.
May 2, 2006 “Using Your Moodle: How to promote project-based collaborative learning with open-source Internet software and other digital tools.” Talk given at UVic Learning & Teaching Conference, University of Victoria.
Feb. 15, 2006 “Course Redesign progress report.” Talk and computer demonstration about redesigning WRIT 216, presented to UVic faculty interested in applying for a Course Redesign grant, Learning and Teaching Centre, University of Victoria
Oct. 5, 2005 “What Do We Mean When We Talk about Creative Nonfiction?” Talk and discussion given to the Victoria Writers’ Society, monthly general meeting, Victoria, BC.
Sept. 27, 2005 “Learn to Surf.“ Department of Writing faculty reading, University of Victoria.
Sept. 17, 2005 “Adventures in Storytelling.” Three-hour seminar given to Millennium Scholarship students, Think Again! conference, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON.
June 21, 2005 “Trekking with Americans.” Creative nonfiction reading and discussion given at the Association for the Study of the Literature and the Environment biennial conference, Eugene, OR.
June 9, 2005 “Secrets of Award-Winning Editors.” Panel presentation for Canadian Society of Magazine Editors, Magazines University conference, Toronto, ON
April 3, 2005 “Paddling with Polar Bears.” Reading given at Sundays at the JBI, reading series, James Bay Inn, Victoria, BC.
March 5, 2005 “Story as History, History as Story.” Forum moderator at Rafting the River of Story: A storytelling symposium, University of Victoria.
March 3, 2005 “Trekking with Americans.“ Excerpt reading at Sounding Off, Again, creative nonfiction reading series, Second-Story Books, Victoria, BC.
Sept. 30, 2004 “¿Por Favor, Señor, Dondé Esta el Singletrack?” Department of Writing faculty reading, University of Victoria.
Sept. 21, 2004 “Notes from the Belly of the Beast: Or how I stopped worrying and learned to love the Toronto media cabal.” Address given to the Periodical Writers Association of Canada, Victoria, BC chapter, general meeting.
May 12, 2004 Nonfiction reading and panel discussion. Writing and Publishing Forum, University of Toronto, Careers Centre.
Sept. 29, 2002 “Where the Wild Things Are.” Nonfiction reading, The Word on the Street festival, Toronto, ON.
Dec. 6, 2000 “Notes Toward the Perfect Essay.” Guest lecture given to Camosun College students.
Oct. n/d, 2000 “Theatre Reviewing.” Talk given to Department of Theatre students, University of Victoria.
Sept. 22, 2000 “The Arts Review.” Talk given to student journalists, University of Victoria.
Sept. 24, 1999 “Arts Writing: The fine art of cultural journalism.” Talk given to student journalists, University of Victoria.
Jan. 18, 1998 “Death to the Euthanasia Paper!: Ecological Literacy and the Composition Classroom.” Lecture given to composition instructors in the Department of English.
May 17, 1997 Emerging Writers Reading, Open Space Gallery, Victoria, BC