Theme: Innovate, Integrate, Educate

TEDxUniversityofBolton, a student-led conference will bring together innovative thinkers from across the University of Bolton and larger community to explore ideas for our collective future.

The event’s theme ‘Innovate, Integrate, Educate’ encompasses a range of ideas and approaches, which represent some of TED’s core values of forward-thinking, innovation and inspiration.

The event will be held at Queens Specialist Building Theatre at University of Bolton. It is tentatively scheduled for April 28, 2017. Our audience will consist of up to 100 students, academics and members of the local community.

Our goal is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of subjects, to foster learning, inspiration and wonder – and provoke conversations that matter.

The University of Bolton, Queens Specialist Building
Queens Street
Bolton, Lancashire, BL4 7DX
United Kingdom

Brian Smith BSc MSc

Teaching Excellence Specialist at the University of Bolton, UK

An award-winning, energetic and highly motivated individual with a strong track record of leading enhanced learning in vocational, further and higher education settings at senior level. Brian graduated from Lancaster University with a bachelor’s degree in Organisation and Management Studies in 2004, and went on to earn a Post-Graduated Certificate in Education, and in 2008 completed a Masters in Education (eLearning) at Edge Hill University. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Higher Education Academy National Teaching Fellow for excellence in developing inspiring and innovative new models of learning and teaching. This work extends into his PhD studies to understand learner behaviour and ontological needs in the classroom, blended and online learning.

Dr Daniela Bacova

Senior Lecturer and Master in Education Programme Leader at the University of Bolton, UK

Dr Daniela Bacova is based in the School of Education and Psychology. She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She was a senior lecturer in the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra, Slovakia for 17 years before coming to the UK teaching English literature, modern English Theatre and feminism. However, her main interest was in teacher development and training, mainly exploring drama in education approach in teaching English as a foreign language. While still in Slovakia, she was leading a number of national and international projects. Daniela wrote a number of research articles, edited a specialised journal As if… and a newsletter Dedicated Space on drama in education and EFLT. She published a book about Modern British Women Playwrights (in Slovak) and contributed a chapter to another publication on drama techniques in teaching English as a foreign language. (More info HERE)

Dr Duncan Cross

Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Bolton, UK

Dr. Duncan Cross is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Bolton, a Fellow of the Society for Education and Training, and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has a background in transnational education, clinical communication skills, and teacher education having taught in the Further Education and Skills sector and Higher Education in the UK and overseas. Duncan worked for the National Health Service for several years in medical education, working with international medical graduates and refugee healthcare professionals, and as a service manager. His research interests include; managing expectations, technology-enhanced learning and teaching, transitions in education, and postgraduate student experience. Twitter @duncan_cross

Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi

Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bolton, UK

Dr Kandadi’s academic interests include Knowledge Management, e-Commerce, and Enterprise IT Systems. Dr Kandadi has developed and successfully delivered a number of enterprise research projects which included Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), ERDF projects and numerous bespoke research projects with businesses in the Aerospace and other manufacturing sectors.

Dr Sarah Telfer

Associate Professor of Education at the University of Bolton, UK

Sarah is an Associate Professor at the University of Bolton (UoB). Her role includes the support and implementation of the TIRI (Teaching Intensive & Research Informed) agenda across the School of Education & Psychology. She is also a course Leader for Initial Teacher Education Programmes. Her area of special academic interest is on the use of storytelling & anecdotes to promote engagement & interaction in the language classroom. Sarah has worked as a teacher trainer for over 15 years. She began her career by completing a BA (Hons) in Drama at Leeds University & worked as a professional actress for 7 years in film and TV, before applying these skills to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). She went on to complete a Masters in TESOL in 2009, & a Doctorate in Education in 2017. Sarah has taught ESOL in both the private & the public sector in the UK and in Europe. She is currently lecturing on Teacher Education courses & on the Masters in Education programme at the UoB.

Dr Tim Sprosen

Associate Professor & Head of Communications, Regulation & Knowledge Transfer at Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford

Tim Sprosen is an Associate Professor in the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford. He studied Pharmacology at Dundee (1983-1987) and Cambridge (1987-1990). He has spent his entire career in medical research in industry (Renal Division, Baxter Healthcare), public office (Medical Research Council Head Office) and in academia (Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester and Imperial College London). From 2004-2011, he was Chief Scientist at UK Biobank. His main interests are in the design and execution of large-scale epidemiological studies, public participation in research, the use of health-records in research and promoting appropriate and proportionate governance of research. He is leading a new public campaign, MoreTrials, working with leading trialists around the world and Sense About Science to make it much easier to do randomised trials.

Luke Robert Mason BA (Hons) MA

Science communicator and the Director of Virtual Futures

Luke is a science communicator & the Director of Virtual Futures - an events series that brings together artists, cultural theorists, fiction writers, philosophers and technologists to re-address the potential of looking at our future through a techno-philosophical lens. He is passionate about engaging the public with emerging scientific theory and technological development. As a journalist he has contributed to BBC Click Radio, The Guardian, Discovery Channel, VICE Motherboard & Wired Magazine. Luke has presented visiting lectures at various UK and international institutions including the Royal College of Art, Royal Academy of Art, Victoria & Albert Museum, University of Warwick and the London School of Economics. He has given keynote presentations around the world and has collaborated with numerous Fortune 500 companies. He holds a MA from the Centre for Fine Arts Research (CFAR) based at the Birmingham & a BA in Theatre, Performance & Cultural Studies from the University of Warwick.

Michael Burton & Michiko Nitta

Burton Nitta is an interdisciplinary art duo that investigates our human future and evolution through collaborative projects

BurtonNitta by Michael Burton & Michiko Nitta. Based in London, Burton Nitta is an interdisciplinary art duo that investigates our human future and evolution through collaborative projects. Previous works such as After Agri, Algaculture, The Algae Opera, The Republic of Salivation and New Organs of Creativity are published and exhibited internationally from MoMA, New York to the V&A Museum, London. New areas of research are explored through a journal called After... that invites audiences to taste the future and venture into alternative visions of the world and ourselves. Ultimately we ask: to what extent can our work actually alter the course of the future? More info about Michael Burton: www.michael-burton.co.uk More info about Michiko Nitta: www.michikonitta.co.uk

Patrick Uzuwe

Doctoral Researcher in the School of Creative Technologies, University of Bolton, UK.

Patrick is a software developer and data scientist with an eye for innovation. He is a Doctoral Researcher with the University of Bolton. He is currently researching in the area of Google Physical Web, Internet of Things, asset tracking, and user acceptance of ubiquitous technology. His cultural background and focus on community collaboration has led him to a number of volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles. Patrick is the award recipient for the best postgraduate oral presentation at the first University of Bolton Student Research Conference 2016. He is working on his new book on Internet of Things and User Acceptance, which will be published in early 2018.

Professor David Hopkins

Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Bolton, UK

David is passionately committed to improving the quality of education for all & has worked at the intersection of policy, research & practice for over 40 years. Among a range of educational roles, he has been Chief Adviser to 3 Secretary of States on School Standards in the UK, Dean of Education at the University of Nottingham (UoN), a secondary school teacher & Outward Bound Instructor. He also helped found the National College for School Leadership consults internationally on school reform & holds visiting professorships at Universities around the world. David is currently Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Bolton, as well as holding Emeritus status at the Institute of Education, UCL & the UoN. He was the founder of the Adventure Learning Schools Charity; & despite two new knees, still practices occasionally as an International Mountain Guide. David was recently ranked as the 16th most influential educator in the world by the US based Global Gurus organization.

Professor David Thacker

Professor of Theatre at the University of Bolton, UK

David was Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre Bolton for 6 years from 2009 until 2015 when he stepped down to become Professor of Theatre at the University of Bolton, taking on the new role of Associate Artistic at the Octagon. An extraordinarily prolific director at the Octagon – he has directed 36 productions – during his time there the Theatre enhanced its regional and national reputation. The Octagon presented an astonishing 52 main auditorium productions, more than any other regional theatre in the country. At the 2016 Manchester Theatre Awards his productions (including Arthur Miller’s version of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People) received 6 awards including all the major acting awards & Best Production (An Enemy of the People) – the first time that any director has achieved this in the history of the Awards and their predecessor, The Manchester Evening News Awards. He also received a personal achievement award for his outstanding achievements as Artistic Director..More info

Professor George E Holmes DL

Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Bolton, UK

When appointed to the post of Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University in 2005, George became the youngest University Head in the UK. He has been at the University now for over nine years. He holds a Doctorate in the field of Education, a Masters in Business Administration & a BSc in Economics. Professor Holmes is also a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. He previously edited two International Journals for almost 10 years, specialising in Quality Assurance in Education. In 2002 he was appointed by the then Secretary of State for Education & Skills as advisor to the Department, becoming, along with Sir Ron Cooke, one of only two Sector representatives for the Department's HE Policy Delivery Steering Group - which was assisting in the preparation of the HE White Paper. More info regarding Professor George E Holmes DL: http://www.bolton.ac.uk/Governance/Governor-Profiles/Professor-George-Holmes.aspx

Professor Jerome Carson

Professor of Psychology at the University of Bolton, UK

Jerome Carson BA (Hons), MSc., PhD, C.Psychol is Professor of Psychology at the University of Bolton. Jerome previously worked at the world renowned Institute of Psychiatry and the Maudsley Hospital, where he was a senior lecturer in clinical psychology. Jerome’s main research interests are in the fields of occupational stress, recovery from mental health problems and Positive Psychology. He has published over 200 book chapters and journal papers. Jerome has lectured all over the world.

Professor Patrick McGhee

Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Quality) at the University of Bolton, UK

Professor Patrick McGhee is a Chartered Health Psychologist, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a UK National Teaching Fellow and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has been a member of national funding panels for Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and the Fund for the Development of Teaching and Learning. He has also been a member of the HEFCE Teaching, Quality and Student Experience Committee. Professor McGhee is an occasional Guardian and BBC columnist and a regular social media commentator.’

Professor Steve Fuller

Auguste Comte Professor of Social Epistemology in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick, UK.

Steve Fuller is Auguste Comte Professor of Social Epistemology in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick, UK. Originally trained in history and philosophy of science, Fuller is best known for his foundational work in the field of ‘social epistemology’, the name of both a quarterly journal that he founded in 1987 and the first of his more than twenty books. In 2014 Fuller completed a trilogy relating to the idea of a ‘post-’ or ‘trans-‘ human future, all published with Palgrave Macmillan. His latest books are Knowledge: The Philosophical Quest in History (Routledge) and The Academic Caesar (Sage), and is currently completing a book entitled Post-Truth: Knowledge as a Power Game (Anthem). Fuller was awarded a D.Litt. by Warwick in 2007 for sustained lifelong contributions to scholarship. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the UK Academy of Social Sciences, and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Sue Beckingham

Principal Lecturer in Information Systems & Educational Developer at Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Sue is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy & Certified Member of the Association of Learning Technology. Her research interests include social media & digital identity, & the use of technology to enhance learning and teaching; & she has published and presented this work nationally & internationally as an invited keynote speaker. She writes a blog called Social Media for Learning https://socialmediaforlearning.com/ & can be found on Twitter as @suebecks https://twitter.com/suebecks As a lifelong learner Sue is an active participant of online CPD & has an MA in Communication & Media Studies, an MSc in Technology Enhanced Learning, Innovation and Change, & a PgC in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education. An advocate of informal learning she co-founded the international #LTHEchat Learning & Teaching in Higher Education Twitter Chat https://lthechat.com/ & the cross-institutional open online course 'Bring Your Own Device for Learning’ https://byod4learning.wordpress.com/.

Victoria Coates

Undergraduate student in the School of Education and Psychology, University of Bolton, UK.

Victoria is a first year Psychology student. Her interests of study are neuropsychology and social psychology.

Vivienne Newton BA (Hons) PGDE (M) MEd

President of Bolton Students' Union for the 2016-17 academic year

Having previously been a student at the University for six years, Vivienne has completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies with a specialist area of research focus is on learner identity and academic literacy skills acquisition. Vivienne’s background is in youth work and education and she is interested in enhancing the student experience and making higher education accessible to all. She has been employed in teaching and student support roles. In her current role, she is the sole elected representative for the student voice of 6,500 on campus students, is a University Governor, a member of several University committees and a Trustee of the Students’ Union. In addition to this, she is a member of the QAA Student Advisory Board and The Student Engagement Partnership (TSEP) Steering Group. Vivienne presented a poster at the 2016 BALEAP Learner Identity, Managing Transitions Conference and a workshop at the 2017 TSEP Enhancing Student Engagement Conference.