Keynote speaker on VR, stuttering, and communication access
I'm Gareth Walkom - founder of withVR, a published researcher, and a person who stutters. I speak about building technology for communication access, and what lived experience teaches teams who design for everyone.
120+ talks across 22 countries since 2016. Invited speaker at the Digital Wellbeing Summit 2022 (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia) - on a program that also featured Simon Sinek, James Clear, Marc Randolph, and Mo Gawdat. Keynote at VGTVG 2026, Monmouth University.
Currently booking 2026-2027. Most talks delivered virtually; in person where travel can be supported.
Or email gareth@withvr.app
Guest lecture · Medipol University, Istanbul
Featured by the BBC and The Independent · NHS Digital Innovation Excellence Award · Winner, European Patient Digital Health Awards 2023
Who books Gareth
Four audiences, one through-line: communication access, built and lived.
Accessibility & ERG events
Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), and disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) programming for product, engineering, and design teams - practical, not patronizing.
Universities
Guest lectures for speech-language pathology, HCI, and design programs. Virtual worldwide; honoraria aligned to standard departmental rates.
Stuttering & SLP conferences
Where this work started. Community-run events welcome whatever the budget.
Health-tech & XR
Founder keynotes and live VR demos for digital-health, innovation, and immersive-tech audiences.
Speaking Topics
Four signature talks, each shaped to its audience and tailored to your event on a short prep call.
Building VR for People Who Stutter
Lessons from shipping Therapy withVR - what worked, what didn't, and what it takes to build clinical technology people actually use. For healthtech, XR, product, and SLP audiences.
Designing for the 1 in 100
What building VR as a person who stutters teaches teams about accessible, inclusive products - voice interfaces and speech recognition, meeting culture, and putting "nothing about us without us" into real user research. For accessibility and disability ERG events (GAAD, IDPD), product, design, and leadership audiences.
VR in Speech-Language Pathology
Evidence, ethics, and what comes next. A grounded look at where the research stands, what VR can and cannot do for communication therapy, and the questions the field still needs to answer. For academic, clinical, and research audiences.
Life Is A Video Game
What I've learned navigating the levels as a person who stutters - the personal story behind the work. My keynote at VGTVG 2026. For people who stutter, community organizations, and association conferences.
Seen on stage
From flagship keynotes to guest lectures, panels, and webinars - 120 talks across 22 countries.
See the full story, research, and speaking history on Gareth's about page, or upcoming and past events →
What people say
From clinicians, academics, and the stuttering community.
"My students mentioned again how much they loved your presentation."
Marileda Tome, PhD, CCC-SLPAssociate Professor, Andrews University, USA
"You are known in the stuttering community and well respected."
Nancy Barcal, MA, CCC-SLPDirector, Granite Bay Speech, USA
"It is such a pleasure seeing how much you are respected and appreciated here in Saudi and beyond."
Nerissa Hall, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-AACDirector, The Speech Language and Literacy Center at Tate Behavioral, USA
"Your presentation was excellent, and you are such a good communicator."
Amy Connery, PhDAssistant Professor, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
How booking works
A few things planners usually want to know - answered up front.
I'm a speaker who stutters - and that's the point.
My talks are about communication access and building technology for it. The way I speak is part of the message, not a disclaimer - audiences consistently say it is what makes the talk land.
Virtual or in person?
Most talks are delivered virtually, which keeps distance, cost, and time zones out of the way. In person works too, where travel can be supported.
Will the talk be tailored to our audience?
Yes. Every talk is shaped to your event on a short prep call, and I can include a live demo of Therapy withVR where it fits. In academic and CEU settings my commercial interest in withVR is disclosed up front, and product demos are optional.
Are your sessions accessible?
Captioned slides, plain-language decks, and a format that works for hybrid and remote audiences. Tell me what your attendees need and I will meet it.
What about budget?
Fees depend on the event and what you can support, so I would rather talk it through than post a number. Stuttering and cluttering community events are where this work started - please get in touch whatever your budget. University guest lectures are aligned to standard departmental rates, and virtual lectures are available worldwide.
Invite Gareth to speak
Keynotes, guest lectures, community & SLP conferences, workshops, advisory, and consulting - one short form, straight to Gareth's inbox.
Prefer email? gareth@withvr.app
Setting up the software instead? Book a 20-min call →