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).

The Cairns Institute
14-88 McGregor Road
Smithfield, Queensland, 4878
Australia

Ari Isman

Ari Isman grew up by the beaches in Sydney, graduated high school in Barcelona and then completed his medical training in North Queensland. With a keen interest in critical care medicine and aeromedical retrievals, Ari passionately believes that rural medicine in Australia needs to look out of the box for alternative solutions to improve patient care and save lives.

Carly Portch

Carly Portch is a dynamic radio host on Hit FM, she is a published writer / blogger / podcaster who has been published by Mamamia and news.com.au. She is also a speaker and MC. Carly is the Queensland Ambassador for the RSPCA and is passionate about animal welfare.

Darren Crayn

Darren Crayn is the director of the Australian Tropical Herbarium at James Cook University. His research aims to find out how many plant species exist, where they occur, how they are related and how they have evolved. These objectives have taken him to many biomes and countries across the world.

Hayley Letson

Dr Hayley Letson is the Senior Research Fellow in the Heart, Trauma and Sepsis Research Laboratory in the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University. For the past decade Hayley has been developing a novel fluid therapy for resuscitation of traumatic injury on the battlefield with support from the US Military. Dr Letson's work has been internationally recognized with three consecutive American Heart Association Young Investigator Awards.

Hurriyet Babacan

Hurriyet is an international scholar and is currently a Professorial Fellow at James Cook University, Rural Economies Centre of Excellence. She has held senior leadership roles in government, universities and other sectors. Hurriyet has been recognised through a number of awards including the Order of Australia, Bi-Centenary Medal, Multicultural Services Award, and the Telstra Business Women’s Award. She has been listed in the Australian Women’s Archives as recognition of women leaders who have contributed to Australia.

John Buttigieg

John Buttigieg (Butagig) is 22 years old and grew up in Cairns. He has been playing the guitar since the age of 10. John also enjoys playing other instruments such as, electric and classical guitar, banjo, ukelele, percussion instruments as well as the piano. He is also studying an IT degree and enjoys playing tennis and basketball

Michelle Redman-MacLaren

Dr Michelle Redman-MacLaren is a public health researcher with a social work background, known for her ability to facilitate action-oriented research in a culturally respectful way for positive health outcomes. She achieves this through participatory, decolonising public health research with Pacific Islander and Indigenous Australian peoples that is sensitive to culture, spirituality and gender. With 25 years’ experience in these settings, Michelle is now exploring how poetry can re-present research evidence for improved health outcomes.

Sophie Barrett

Sophie Barrett (BSc.Arch) is a specialist in urban and building design, sustainability and strategic planning with over 20 years’ experience working in government and private practice. She is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow with James Cook University and board member of the Tropical Urban Design Lab. She is a mother of two amazing girls and has a deep love for the environment and lifestyle of Far North Queensland.

Stanley Jones

The Hon Stanley Jones AO QC, is a retired QLD Supreme Court Judge who had an impressive legal career spanning 42 years. He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for services to education and the law. He has chaired many committees including the Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse Steering Committee and the Communities for Children Cairns South Committee. He is a passionate advocate for early childhood development and supportive of a number of initiatives focused on improving the lives and outcomes for young people.

Wendy Fox

Wendy Fox has been and educator for 23 years and her passion has been empowering children to believe in themselves and teaching them life skills to enhance their learning journey. Focusing on neuroscience, She has successfully incorporated the scientific aspects of mindfulness into students’ learning, allowing them long-term success at school. Wendy is from Atherton, in Far North Queensland and grew up on a farm, not too far from where she now lives with her family.

Yalanji Wulngku Badi Bama

Yalanji Wulngku Badi Bama is a combination of four generations of singers and performers from Wujal Wujal. Wujal Wujal is the local Kuku-Yalanji clan name meaning ‘many falls’, highlighting the many sacred waterfalls in their landscape. It is located 30km North of Cape Tribulation. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji song group includes clans Nyungal, Jalanji and Yalanji peoples who have native title to the Wujal Wujal area.