Theme: New Beginnings

New Beginnings will be at the heart of the TEDxUniversityofStAndrews 2017 conference this year. This theme will allow us to be at the forefront of the values TED stands for: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. This year promises to be better than ever; the conference will have speakers from around the world covering a whole host of topics. Make sure to join us and let yourself be inspired by our memorable event!

The Byre Theatre
Abbey St
St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9LA
United Kingdom

James Golding

Independent Motivational Speaker

On 26th February 2009, just before midnight as he was rushed into emergency surgery, doctors told James Golding’ family he probably wouldn’t make it through the night. Eight years later James has an impressive accolade of events and challenges next to his name and yet continues to strive for more. In November 2008 doctors found an 11cm tumour wedged between his spine, kidney and bowel, by late February he’d dropped from 14 stone to 6 stone in weight, he’d lost the ability to walk and was being rushed into emergency surgery with less than 5% chance of survival. After his operation, and two weeks in an induced coma, he started his long road to recovery. Since relearning to walk and taking his first steps James has gone to cycle many events and challenges including across America, Mexico and France. He’s ridden John O’Groats to Land’s End, London to Paris a number of times and has been an ambassador to the World’s toughest and highest sportive.

James Hilton

Co-founded AKQA

James Hilton co-founded the globally respected agency AKQA when he was 21, and creatively led the company for over 20 years. WPP bought a majority stake for $540 million in 2013 and by the time Hilton departed in 2015 AKQA employed over 1,500 people in 14 offices around the world. Hilton left AKQA to form AtelierStrange: an experimental design studio working with technology-infused furniture and objects, as well as assisting a select list of global clients with brand and strategy work. As well as this, he founded the custom motorcycle company Death Machines of London. Launched at the BikeShed Paris show in April 2016 with their Moto Guzzi Airtail; the bike, and the brand, were an immediate hit and received global coverage. Their second machine entitled 'Up Yours Copper' earned the brand worldwide recognition as a leader in the design and execution of custom motorcycles with coverage in Highsnobiety, British GQ and Esquire.

Lisa Marie Husby

Student at St Andrews University

In 2011, whilst working in a summer camp in Utøya, Norway, Lisa Marie was involved in a terrorist attack in which 69 young people were killed, which included several of her friends and those she was taking care of. Having subsequently been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and a muscle disorder, which would affect her for several years to come, Lisa Marie now strongly believes that her life is better than it has ever been. This is because of the change that took place in her life as soon as she started to be open about her mental health issues, which she says is the essence of what made her better. Lisa Marie thinks that we can always change our lives if we put our mind to it. She personally never thought she would be able to go back to university but here she is, 25 years old and a first year student of Management and International Relations at the University of St Andrews - her own new beginning.

Mads Fibiger

CEO Organic Basics

Mads Fibiger, 25 years old, is the founder and CEO of Organic Basics. The brand produces high-quality, sustainable go-to basics, without the consumer having to pay extra for expensive branded logos. They furthermore eliminate the need for shopping new underwear, by offering their products on a subscription basis. In 2016 they experienced more than 500% growth, and created the most funded Scandinavian fashion crowdfunding campaign ever. A big observed demand for their products in the States, and due to significant interest from American VC’s led to Organic Basics moving their company to San Francisco in January 2016 While working full-time on Organic Basics, Mads is currently finishing his MBA in Accounting, Strategy and Control from Copenhagen School of Business.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow

Founder Mary's Meals

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow OBE is Founder and Chief Executive of Mary’s Meals, a global charity that provides a daily meal in a place of education to more than one million of the world’s poorest children. The meal attracts children to the classroom, where they gain a basic education that can provide an escape route from poverty. In 2010, Magnus was praised as a CNN hero and in 2015, he was named one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world. His book, The Shed That Fed A Million Children, reached the UK’s Times and Sunday Times bestseller list immediately after release.

Natasha Waddell

Student at St Andrews University

Natasha Waddell is a second year History of Art student at the University of St Andrews and is the Founder of the online publication Lips Magazine and a passionate feminist. When recently chatting to some female friends, Natasha realised that most girls were far too easily able to draw upon personal stories of everyday sexism, whether this be the result of receiving catcalls on the street or being felt up on the tube, she immediately wanted to bring these issues to light. Believing that everyday sexism is drowning out the few writings and campaigns on the issue, she encourages us to initiate a new forward movement; a movement, which is beyond the stigma and the “locker room chat”. This is why she co-founded Lips Magazine, an online publication, which hopes to encourage students to “get their lips moving,” as it acts as a creative platform for male and females to express their feelings on sexism and their own personal experiences, as Natasha believes the best way to break down these walls is to start the conversation.

Resh Sidhu

Virtual Reality

Resh Sidhu is one of the most well-regarded names in Virtual Reality and one of a handful of women driving the medium forward with her fearless creativity and innovative approach. Resh’s role extends well beyond the scope of creative leadership, she lectures and talks extensively all over the world on designing compelling human experiences in VR. She continues to challenge the industry to stop cannibalizing the medium and delivery content that makes it truly indispensable as she pushes the boundaries of the medium with the imaginative application of art and technology. Since joining Framestore’s VR Studio her influential work is recognized worldwide for its pioneering approach that continues to define and lead the Virtual industry. Resh was recently named as a leading female pioneer in VR by Marie Claire Magazine.

Siana Bangura

Siana Bangura is a writer, blogger, poet and performer hailing from South East London. She is the editor of Black British Intersectional Feminist platform, No Fly on the WALL, and the founder of independent publishing house, Haus of Liberated Reading. Siana is the author of 'Elephant', a bold debut collection of poetry exploring themes of Black British womanhood, racism, sexism, gentrification and more; and is also the producer of '1500 and Counting', a documentary investigating deaths in custody and police brutality in the UK. She has written for, and featured in, a number of publications including VICE, The Fader, Media Diversified, Black Ballad, Gal-Dem, Consented, The Times, Huffington Post, The Guardian, and has spoken and performed in venues and to audiences across the UK and Europe.