Diving with sharks. Creating ‘skin’ for buildings. Sailing with pirates on the fringes of capitalism.
These pioneering ideas and more are all part of TEDxWesternU, coming to Western’s Paul Davenport Theatre April 5. The innovative and independently organized event, designed to foster meaningful change, creative solutions and valuable learning, announced its full line-up of speakers today under the theme: Impact. Innovation. Insight.
“We have a fantastic team of volunteers who have dedicated themselves to bringing new ideas and innovative creativity to students at Western and audiences around the world,” says Vivek Morzaria, Co-Chair of TEDxWesternU. “TEDxWesternU promises to expand minds, bring fresh perspectives and inspire meaningful change.”
The event will feature 11 speakers, addressing a live audience of 100 Western students representing all faculties and chosen through an anonymous selection process, which is now complete.
A satellite location has also been established at the University Students’ Council Chambers (University Community Centre, room 301) in the heart of campus, where students, faculty and staff will be able to view the talks via live video. TEDxWesternU will also be streaming live on the web.
Speaking at TEDxWesternU are:
- Tima Bansal, professor and Canada Research Chair in Business Sustainability (CRC), Richard Ivey School of Business;
- Douglas Birkenshaw, principal at B+H Architects;
- Jessica Grahn, cognitive neuroscientist at The Brain and Mind Institute, Western;
- Jesse Hirsch, internet strategist, researcher and broadcaster;
- Gregory Kopp, professor and CRC in Wind Engineering, Western;
- Andrew Lewis, award-winning art director and designer;
- Todd Reichert and Cameron Robertson, aviators and innovators;
- Rob Stewart, film writer, producer and director;
- Barbara Willis-Sweete, film director; and
- Jean Philippe Vergne, assistant professor, Richard Ivey School of Business.
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world’s leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free at TED.com.
In that spirit, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized, but subject to certain rules and regulations.