Bo Seo

Bo Seo is a South Korean-Australian journalist and author recognized for his contributions to the global debate community. A two-time world debating champion, Seo won both the World Universities Debating Championship and the World Schools Debating Championships, where he captained the Australian debate team to a first-place finish and was named the tournament's highest speaker.

Seo immigrated from South Korea to Australia at age 8. Initially unfamiliar with English, he faced challenges in school before discovering competitive debate, which played a significant role in his academic and social development.

Seo graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College and earned a master's degree in public policy from Tsinghua University, later graduating magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. He has coached the Australian national debating team and the Harvard College Debating Union, mentoring teams to international success and highlighting debate's importance in fostering listening and empathy.

As a journalist, Seo served as a national reporter for Australian Financial Review, appeared as a regular television panelist, and contributed to The New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN, and other major publications.

Seo is the author of the book "Good Arguments: How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard," published by Penguin Press. Drawing from his experience as a world champion debater, the book explores how competitive debating principles can improve everyday communication. Seo outlines practical applications of debate techniques for resolving conflicts in personal relationships, professional environments, and civic discourse, emphasizing active listening, empathy, and constructive persuasion. The book, which blends memoir, practical guidance, and philosophical exploration of argumentation, has been translated into 10 languages.

Seo regularly speaks to and consults for companies, governments, and educational institutions on the culture and skills of effective disagreement. His teaching on debate and communication has reached a wide audience, including millions of views on YouTube. Seo addresses topics such as polarization in public life and strategies for navigating difficult conversations, establishing himself as a leading voice on the art of constructive disagreement and effective communication.