Vandana Shiva is a globally renowned physicist, environmental activist, and racial equality speaker whose lived experiences deeply inform her advocacy. Currently, she leads several pioneering initiatives as the founder of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, Navdanya, and Bija Vidyapeeth. Vandana’s background as an Indian woman in science, navigating systems shaped by colonial and patriarchal power structures, fuels her drive for justice. Her talks often explore biodiversity, food sovereignty, and ecological responsibility, always interwoven with themes of racial and social equity.
Vandana’s journey began with an impressive academic career. She earned a Bachelor of Science, a Master’s in Philosophy of Science, and a PhD in Philosophy, and went on to work as a researcher at both the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Management. Her interdisciplinary research in physics and philosophy helped shape her understanding of the deep connections between science, ethics, and society. In 1982, she founded the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, followed by Navdanya, an environmental movement promoting organic and Fairtrade agriculture, and Bija Vidyapeeth, an educational institution focused on sustainable living. Each initiative reflects her belief in knowledge as a tool for both ecological preservation and social liberation.
Vandana is also the author of several acclaimed books, including Oneness vs The 1%: Shattering Illusions, Seeding Freedom; The Violence of the Green Revolution: Justice, Sustainability & Peace; and Who Really Feeds the World?. These works delve into the political, ecological and ethical dimensions of food systems and global inequality, reinforcing her messages as a speaker. Furthermore, her contributions have earned her numerous international accolades, such as the Alternative Nobel Prize, the Earth Day International Award, the Lennon ONO Grant for Peace, and the UN’s Global 500 Award. She has been named one of the Top Seven Most Powerful Women on the Globe by Forbes Magazine, voted one of the Five Most Powerful Communicators of Asia by Asia Week, and recognised as an ‘environmental hero’ by Time Magazine.
Vandana’s speaking topics are rich in insight, drawing from decades of scientific research, activism, and lived experience. She addresses the structural inequalities embedded in industrial agriculture, the exploitation of the Global South, and the role of corporate power in environmental degradation. Her books amplify these themes, offering audiences a deeper understanding of how economic and environmental policies are often built on racial and colonial legacies. Vandana connects ecological destruction to social injustice, making her an ideal speaker for organisations and events committed to intersectional equity. Her ability to unite science, philosophy, and grassroots activism makes her not just a speaker, but a catalyst for change.
