Earvin “Magic” Johnson
Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient | 5x NBA Champion | Chairman & CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises | Owner, LA Dodgers & Washington Commanders
Peter Frankopan
Bestselling Author of 'The Silk Roads' | Professor of Global History, University of Oxford | World-Renowned Historian on Geopolitics, Trade & Climate
Peter Frankopan is one of the world's most celebrated historians and the bestselling author of The Silk Roads. As Professor of Global History at the University of Oxford, he reframes world history through the East and connects the deep past to today's geopolitics, trade, and climate challenges. On stage, Frankopan helps audiences see current events as part of a much longer story, illuminating shifting global power and where the world may be heading.
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Peter Frankopan biography
Global affairs speaker Peter Frankopan is one of the world’s most celebrated historians and the bestselling author of The Silk Roads. As Professor of Global History at the University of Oxford, he reframes world history through the East, tracing the deep connections between trade, culture, religion, and power, and bringing that long view to the most pressing global issues of today.
Frankopan’s international bestseller, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, has sold more than two million copies, been translated into dozens of languages, and was named a book of the decade by the Sunday Times. By focusing on the ancient routes that linked East and West, it offers a sweeping alternative to Eurocentric history and shows how commerce, faith, and ideas shaped the world we live in. The New Statesman called him a “history rock star.”
From the Silk Roads to a Climate-Shaped Past
He followed The Silk Roads with The New Silk Roads, connecting that history to present-day geopolitics and the rising power of Asia and the Middle East. His acclaimed work The Earth Transformed: An Untold History examines how climate and the natural world have driven the rise and fall of civilizations across thousands of years. A New Yorker Best Book of the Year, it is a sweeping account that runs from the deep past to the present day.
Beyond his books, Frankopan is Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research and a fellow of both the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Geographical Society. He has lectured at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton and advised organizations including the World Bank. A prominent media voice, he writes for the Financial Times, the Guardian, and the New York Times, co-hosts the podcast Legacy with Afua Hirsch, and continues to teach and research at the University of Oxford.
As a speaker, Peter Frankopan gives audiences something rare: the ability to see today’s headlines as part of a much longer story. With vivid storytelling and striking visuals, he connects past and present to illuminate shifting global power, the forces of trade and migration, and the role of climate in our future. Senior audiences leave with a deeper, sharper understanding of the world and where it may be heading.
Peter Frankopan Speaking Videos
Peter Frankopan on History
The earth transformed: An illustrated talk Peter Frankopan
Peter Frankopan Keynote Topics
In his signature talk, Peter Frankopan brings the epic story of the Silk Roads to life, shifting the spotlight from West to East. With vivid storytelling and striking visuals, he traces how goods, people, faiths, and ideas moved along the routes that connected Europe, Asia, and beyond, and shows why those exchanges, not the usual Western-centered narrative, are the real engine of world history. It is an accessible, sweeping journey that leaves audiences seeing the past, and the present, in a new way.
Building on his original work, Frankopan turns to the present to examine how power, money, and influence are flowing back toward the East. He maps the modern Silk Roads, from China and Central Asia to the Gulf, and explains what the rise of Asia and the Middle East means for business, politics, and the global order. A timely, forward-looking talk for anyone trying to make sense of a rapidly realigning world.
Drawing on his acclaimed book, Frankopan reveals how climate and the natural world have shaped human history for thousands of years, from droughts and volcanic eruptions that toppled empires to the environmental pressures societies face today. He shows that what has always mattered most is not whether the climate changes, but how well societies adapt. A profound and timely keynote that connects the deep past to the choices facing us now.
Why do today's events make more sense when seen through the lens of the past? Frankopan draws on a career spent studying the long sweep of global history to help audiences read the present moment with greater clarity, from shifting alliances and trade tensions to migration, technology, and competition for resources. Rather than predicting the future, he gives leaders the historical perspective to think about it more wisely. An intellectually rich session for boards, investors, and policymakers.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Peter Frankopan
Why Peter Frankopan?
Booking Peter Frankopan gives your audience one of the most respected historians of his generation, someone who can turn thousands of years of history into a clear lens on the present. As an Oxford professor and the bestselling author of The Silk Roads, he helps leaders understand the deep forces shaping geopolitics, trade, and climate, the very issues defining the decade ahead. His talks are intellectually rich yet highly engaging, blending vivid storytelling with striking visuals. For events on global affairs, the shifting world order, and long-term thinking, he is an exceptional choice. Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Peter Frankopan for your next event.
Who is Peter Frankopan?
Peter Frankopan is a British historian and Professor of Global History at the University of Oxford, best known for his international bestseller The Silk Roads: A New History of the World. He specializes in the history of global connections, including Central Asia, the Silk Roads, Russia, Iran, the Middle East, and the Byzantine world. He is also a prominent media voice and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Geographical Society.
What is The Silk Roads about?
The Silk Roads: A New History of the World retells global history from the perspective of the East rather than the West. Frankopan argues that the regions along the ancient Silk Roads, linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, have long been the true center of world affairs. The book has sold more than two million copies, been translated into dozens of languages, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential history books of recent years.
What does Peter Frankopan speak about?
Peter Frankopan speaks about world history and how it explains the present, including geopolitics and the shifting balance of global power, the rise of Asia and the Middle East, trade and connection, and the role of climate in shaping civilizations. His keynotes suit corporate, finance, and policy audiences seeking long-term perspective. To book speaker Peter Frankopan for your event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Peter Frankopan as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Peter Frankopan as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Peter Frankopan's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Peter Frankopan or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Peter Frankopan speaking fee?
Peter Frankopan speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Peter Frankopan to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Peter Frankopan.
How can I contact Peter Frankopan?
We only work with Peter Frankopan on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Peter Frankopan and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Peter Frankopan speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Peter Frankopan for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Peter Frankopan for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Peter Frankopan is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Peter Frankopan for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
