Mark your calendars for August, as Sydney's Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI) and Melbourne's Now or Never bring an electrifying addition to their 2024 lineups: the incomparable American writer and critic, Roxane Gay.

Renowned for her fearless critique and razor-sharp wit, Gay, a New York Times bestselling author and cultural force, will headline FODI with a keynote address delving into the art of dissent in our hyper-polarised world. Her talk, "How to Have Dangerous Ideas," promises to be a masterclass in challenging the status quo and navigating the treacherous waters of viral criticism.

While this will be Gay’s first in-person appearance at FODI, she’s no stranger to the festival, having featured on the FODI: The In-Between podcast in 2022.

For over a decade, Gay has inspired audiences to embrace discomfort and complexity, urging a deeper engagement with the ideas that matter most. Festival Director Danielle Harvey couldn't be more thrilled, saying "Roxane Gay's insights are more relevant than ever. Her courage in calling out privilege and injustice is unparalleled, making her the perfect voice for FODI's mission of provocative discourse."

FODI's 2024 theme of "Sanctuary" aims to create a haven for exploration and curiosity, and beyond her keynote, Gay will join other thought leaders in panel discussions throughout the weekend. The full program, set to launch next week on Tuesday 25 June, promises an array of compelling voices from around the globe.

Gay’s latest work, Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business, is a testament to her enduring influence. This anthology of her finest nonfiction writing over the past ten years covers everything from culture to politics, offering a window into her brilliant mind. Her visit also coincides with the 10th anniversary of her groundbreaking essay collection, Bad Feminist, a seminal work that continues to resonate even now.