Theme: Current

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, 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 (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
University of Limerick
Castletroy
Limerick, Limerick, V94 DK18
Ireland

Deirdre O'Shea

Dr. Deirdre O'Shea, C.Psychol.Ps.S.I., is a Senior Lecturer and Chartered Work and Organisational Psychologist in the Department of Work and Employment Studies, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick. Dr. O’Shea completed her PhD and M.Sc. in Work & Organisational Psychology from Dublin City University in 2011 and 2005 respectively, and her B.Sc.(Hons) in Psychology from University College Dublin in 2002. Her award winning research focuses on work motivation and occupational health psychology. She has particular expertise in the design and evaluation of psychological resource-based interventions, but her work also spans self-regulation, emotions and emotion regulation, proactive behaviour, the psychology of entrepreneurship, and voice and silence in the workplace, amongst others. She has published her research in top academic journals and is a regular contributor to national and international media outlets. In 2018, she featured in the RTE documentary ‘Stressed’, and is regularly contacted for expert opinions in news and media outlets.

Ellen Ward

Head of IT Systems at Concern Worldwide and Co-founder Tech For Good Dublin

Ellen Ward is Head of IT Systems at Concern Worldwide where she works to design and deliver technology solutions for the global organisation. She is the co-founder of Tech for Good Dublin which has been growing rapidly in Dublin since it launched in March 2017. This community of more than 1,500 people is open to everyone and the free events showcase projects and technologies which are solving everyday problems and having positive impact for people, communities and the planet. In 2018 Tech for Good Dublin were finalists in the Innovation for Change category of the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards. Ellen was also a finalist in the Business Role Model of the Year category of the Women in IT Ireland 2018. Ellen studied Philosophy (BA Hons) and Communication and Culture Studies (MA) and is qualified in Project Management (Prince2 and PMI ACP).

Fergal Smith

Professional surfer Fergal Smith from County Mayo, Ireland has a passion for regenerative agriculture and the big waves of the Wild Atlantic Way, which has brought him back to his homeland. In 2013, he swapped surf championships for a rake and founded Moy Hill Farm, a 67-acre farm on a windy hill of the Atlantic coast of Ireland. The farm embraces Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA), where consumers work with a local organic farm and pay up front for produce for the season or year ahead, with the aim of regenerating the land. In this time, he also set up Home Tree, a charity that has already planted 25,000 native Irish trees. He is passionate about educating his community about organic growing and sustainable living.

Kevin King

Kevin King is the Director of Design at Limerick-based media agency, Piquant Media. Through his work in Piquant, Kevin has worked on national projects with a focus on human rights, education, culture and social change. On a local level, Kevin has been involved in Limerick-based cultural events and social projects including the Limerick 2020 campaign, Novas initiatives, Limerick 2030 and Ormston House.

Máirín Murray

Co-founder Tech For Good Dublin

Máirín Murray is a highly creative digital innovator with a passion for creating technical products that produce a positive social impact. She has particular expertise in developing educational digital campaigns, games, apps, animations, videos and ecourses, and has worked across the health, education and not-for-profit sectors. She is the co-founder of Tech For Good Dublin. Máirín has a particular interest in the ethical dimensions of technical innovations and is a keen supporter of startups focusing on social impact and been mentor, judge and participant at a number of hackathons. She has an MSC in Multimedia Systems from Trinity College Dublin and is a certified in data science, UX design and project management. As a Senior Digital Content Producer at the BBC, she headed up the digital team for a UK wide youth inclusion service, BLAST. She is an enthusiastic and dynamic leader who is highly collaborative and has recently founded her own digital content studio – Digital Doddle.

Mark Davies

Founder and Chair of Hooke Bio Ltd and Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Limerick

Professor Mark Davies is Founder and Chair of Hooke Bio Ltd and Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Limerick. He co-founded and acted as CEO of Stokes Bio which was sold to Life Technologies in 2010 for US$44m. In 2014 Prof. Davies was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). He is the Editor-in-Chief of Standard Handbook for Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineers published in 2002. He completed his PhD in Engineering from University of Cambridge and lectured in University of Oxford.

Mark Graham

Mark Graham is a lecturer in the Department of Creative and Performing Arts in Waterford Institute of Technology. He also performs with the Irish electro-rock group King Kong Company. He produces and presents the Irish Music Industry Podcast, and has previously worked for The Irish Times, RTÉ Radio and Today FM. His first book, A Year of Festivals in Ireland was published by New Island in 2014.

Patricia Scanlon

Founder and CEO at SoapBox

Dr. Patricia Scanlon has been recognised by Forbes in 2018 as one of the World’s Top 50 Women in Tech. Dr. Scanlon holds a PhD and 20 years experience in Speech Recognition and Artificial Intelligence - including at IBM Research and Bell Labs. She is currently Founder and CEO at SoapBox Labs - pioneering state-of-the-art accurate, age-appropriate and safe speech recognition for children. SoapBox Labs technology has application in gaming, VR/AR, toys, robotics as well as for accessibility and education - literacy and language learning for children.

Sikhulekile Ruth Ndlovu

Student

Sikhulekile Ruth Ndlovu is a first year student, studying Business Studies in Accounting & Finance at the University of Limerick. Ruth is also project leader for ReStart under Enactus UL. Ruth is one of the first students living in Direct Provision to gain access into university in Ireland, along with seven other students here at UL. Ruth was part of the team to place second in the National Competition for Enactus Ireland with their projects MoyoNua, ReStart and SparkEd, a fantastic achievement to have in first year of university. Ruth will be sharing her story of living in direct provision with the audience as well as the work that she is doing to build a community for Asylum Seekers here in the University and in Limerick.