Shappi Khorsandi
Award-winning comedian and bestselling author, Shaparak inspires with powerful stories on inclusion, resilience, and breaking barriers, with humour that captivates any audience.
Why book Shappi Khorsandi for your next event
- As the bestselling author of the critically acclaimed memoir A Beginner’s Guide to Acting English and the powerful novel Nina is Not OK, Shaparak has proven herself as a master of storytelling with the ability to evoke empathy, self-reflection, and action. Her literary achievements offer corporate audiences a speaker who can transform complex issues like identity, addiction, and belonging into digestible, emotionally resonant keynote experiences.
- Awarded the prestigious James Joyce Award and an honorary doctorate from Winchester University, Shaparak Khorsandi stands as a celebrated figure in the world of arts, culture, and public discourse. Her accolades reflect not only her creative brilliance but also her enduring impact as a cultural commentator, making her the perfect keynote speaker for organisations seeking insight, inspiration, and credibility on stage.
- A familiar face on the UK’s most respected television platforms, including Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, QI, Question Time, and I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here, Shaparak brings decades of stage and screen experience. Her media presence ensures exceptional audience engagement, making her a standout choice for events that require both gravitas and charm.
Non-binding request for Shappi Khorsandi
Laughing Through Adversity: Turning Pain into Purpose
Bestselling author, award-winning comedian, and fearless human rights advocate, Shaparak Khorsandi delivers unforgettable keynotes that blend humour, heart, and hard-earned wisdom. Drawing from her journey as a child refugee and a pioneering woman in comedy, she tackles inclusion, mental health, and cultural identity with authenticity and sharp wit, leaving audiences inspired, empowered, and ready to lead with empathy.
Keynote speaker Shappi Khorsandi is an award-winning comedian, bestselling author, and celebrated voice on inclusion, identity, and mental health. Known for her sharp wit, candid storytelling, and fearless approach to complex issues, Shappi has captivated audiences across global stages, from corporate conferences to televised panel shows. Her breakout Edinburgh show Asylum Speaker, based on her experience as a child refugee, catapulted her into the public eye, establishing her as a powerful and relatable voice on resilience and cultural integration.
Shappi brings a unique perspective to every keynote, drawing from her rich background in media, literature, and advocacy. With appearances on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Question Time, and more, she delivers engaging, high-impact keynotes that blend humour with deep insights on workplace diversity, psychological safety, and leading through change.
Booking Shappi Khorsandi means giving your audience more than a talk, it’s offering them a memorable, transformative experience. Her authenticity, intelligence, and humour create lasting impact, encouraging teams to communicate more openly, lead more inclusively, and embrace difference as a strength.
Book Shappi Khorsandi for your event to inspire, challenge, and entertain your audience with a keynote they won’t forget.
Keynotes
Keynote by Shappi Khorsandi:
It’s The Way You Tell It: What Does Our Humour Say About Us?
Shaparak explains how, despite what some may think, comedy is not just about telling jokes. It is about taking a risk and displaying a confidence which can help you in every area of your life, and build trust with those around you. Humour is a powerful way to show other people the world as you see it and build rapport with those who, on paper, you may not seem to have anything in common.
Of course, It can also massively misfire and do the opposite, so Shaparak will outline the pitfalls and how to avoid them, too!
Keynote by Shappi Khorsandi:
Defining Diversity and Embracing Cultural Difference
The drive for diversity can sometimes make people in workplaces panic and scramble around to grab the nearest brown person and plonk them in a group photo. Very often, Shaparak has been that brown person.
But diversity is not about tokenistic representation, and the conversation surrounding it needs to be had much earlier and at every level of an organisation. Rather than just paying lip service to diversity, we need to discuss what it really means, why it is so important and how we can truly embrace the concept to produce beneficial and equitable outcomes for all.
Keynote by Shappi Khorsandi:
Mental Health and Wellbeing
In a deeply personal and illuminating talk, Shaparak takes the audience on a captivating journey from the 90s to the present day, revealing her own struggles with bulimia and anxiety disorders, and the tools and techniques she developed to cope with and overcome these issues. With candour, warmth and humour, she will explain how we could all improve our lives dramatically if we paid a little bit more attention to maintaining our mental wellbeing.
Keynote by Shappi Khorsandi:
A Woman in a Man’s World: Uncovering Everyday Sexism
As one of just a handful of women in the 90s trying to break into a stand-up comedy industry dominated by bombastic men, Shaparak knows all too well what it feels like to be a woman in a man’s world.
For every woman, in any sector, it can be a quiet, personal terrain to navigate. Sexism can be the hardest ‘ism’ to call out and challenge, because it can come from your closest quarters, and exist within your own family and friendship circle. In this honest and very personal talk, Shaparak will examine the ways in which women and men can work together to remove the barriers constructed by past prejudice, and shine a hopeful light on changing the status quo.
Shappi Khorsandi Speaking Highlight
Watch Shappi Khorsandi in action!
