Roland Gulliver is the Director of the Toronto International Festival of Authors, taking up the position in February 2020. He is one of the leading international figures in the literature sector with over 12 years’ experience at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, where he was Associate Director.
His programming explores the potential of the live performance from pop-up readings to staged performances, creative writing masterclasses to reading workshops, literary afternoon teas to late night cabaret programmes, alongside commissions for new writing, podcasts, animations and installations. Alongside programmes working with communities to offer access and empowerment through the arts, and creating spaces for authors and audiences to engage in discussion on the contemporary issues affecting society, politics and culture.
Gulliver is on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Arts Council and Chair of their Literary Advisory Committee. He is a Member of the Academy for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction and recently was a judge for the 2020 Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses.