Clara A.B. Joseph is Calgary’s New Poet Laureate
Clara A.B. Joseph was formally announced as the 2026–2028 Calgary Poet Laureate in Council Chambers at Calgary City Hall on April 28, 2026, to mark the end of National Poetry Month.
Clara A. B. Joseph is a poet and Professor of English at the University of Calgary. Her poetry collections include The Face of the Other, Dandelions for Bhabha, and M/OTHER, which received first place from the Catholic Media Association (US and Canada).
“Poetry begins in listening, and in the discernment that listening requires,” says Clara A.B. Joseph. “In a city such as Calgary, with its many histories, languages and ways of being, I see this role as an invitation to attend more carefully to one another. I hope to help create spaces where poetry is encountered not as something distant, but as a shared practice of reflection, care and connection. I am honoured to serve this city in that spirit.”
Joseph is also the author of two scholarly books on the history and thought of the Thomas Christians of India: Christianity in India: The Anti-Colonial Turn (2019) and India’s Nonviolent Freedom Struggle: The Thomas Christians (1599–1799) (2024).
“The Poet Laureate reflects our city through the power of words and language,” says Patti Pon, President & CEO of Calgary Arts Development. “We thank Shone Thistle for their term from 2024 – 2026. Shone’s infinite empathy, kindness and activism make their spoken and written words resonate and connect deeply with audiences and readers. We know Shone will continue to celebrate community and advocate for positive change through their words and their work for years to come.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Clara A.B. Joseph as Calgary’s eighth Poet Laureate. In addition to being a Professor of English at the University of Calgary, she is a celebrated poet whose award-winning work explores memory, family and ethical attention in everyday life. As Calgary’s Poet Laureate, she brings poetry into public spaces across the city, creating opportunities for communities to listen, reflect and share their stories.”
As Calgary Poet Laureate, Joseph will serve as an artistic ambassador for the citizens of Calgary for a two-year term from 2026 to 2028. A $10,000 honorarium is paid per year for the position, funded by Calgary Poet Laureate Ambassadors Calgary Foundation and Calgary Public Library.
More information about Clara A.B. Joseph can be found at:
Email: poet@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
UCalgary: profiles.ucalgary.ca/clara-joseph
Facebook: facebook.com/clarajosephab
Instagram: instagram.com/clarajosephab
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/clara-joseph
Stay informed. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
