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Ziya Tong

Award-Winning Science Journalist and Broadcaster | Author of The Reality Bubble

Ziya tong
Speaker Reel
Tong Thumb 2
Trailer: Plastic People
Biological Machines
Investigating Belugas
Ziya Tong Canada Reads Thumb
CBC Canada Reads 2019
Ziya
Tong Thumb 2
Ziya Tong Canada Reads Thumb
Ziya tong
Speaker Reel
Tong Thumb 2
Trailer: Plastic People
Biological Machines
Investigating Belugas
Ziya Tong Canada Reads Thumb
CBC Canada Reads 2019

Award-winning journalist and television broadcaster Ziya Tong has been sharing her passion for science, nature, and technology for almost two decades. She is the co-director and host of the critically acclaimed documentary film, Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics and the former co-host of Daily Planet, Discovery Canada’s flagship science program. Tong brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the stage. Her riveting and eye-opening talks explore leadership and the role of science and technology in society.

Tong’s latest film Plastic People, premiered at SXSW 2024 where it was selected as a top 10 staff favourite and profiled for its groundbreaking findings in The New York Times. It’s been called “an absolutely terrifying piece of detective work”, with Variety calling it “an essential state-of-our-world documentary”.

Prior to hosting Daily Planet, Tong was the host and field producer for PBS’ national primetime series, Wired Science, produced in conjunction with Wired magazine. She was also the host of CBC’s Emmy-nominated series ZeD, a pioneer of open-source television for which she was nominated for a Gemini Viewer’s Choice Award, and the host, writer, and director for the Canadian science series, The Leading Edge. Tong also worked alongside Neil deGrasse Tyson as a correspondent for NOVA scienceNOW on PBS.

Tong is the bestselling author of The Reality Bubble, which won the Lane Anderson Award for best science writing in 2020 and was shortlisted for the Charles Taylor Prize. Called “ground-breaking” and “wonder-filled”, the book has been compared to The Matrix. It takes readers on a journey through the hidden things that shape our lives in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways and has received high praise from some of the biggest names in science, including David Suzuki and Dr. Jane Goodall.

A passionate advocate for the planet, Tong sits on the board of directors for the World Wildlife Fund. She also had the prestigious honour of winning Canada Reads 2019, where she championed Holocaust survivor Max Eisen’s memoir, By Chance Alone.  

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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