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).

Perth Concert Hall
5 St Georges Tce
Perth, Western Australia, 6000
Australia

Craig Challen

Risk benefit evangelist

A technical cave diver and retired veterinary surgeon, Craig was the joint founder of Vetwest Animal Hospitals (later Australian Animal Hospitals). An avid cave diver since the early 90s he has explored caves and shipwrecks including in Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand and the Cook Islands. In 2018 Craig participated in the Tham Luang cave rescue of 13 people in Thailand. For his contribution, he was awarded the Star of Courage, the Medal of the Order of Australia, and was jointly named 2019 Australian of the Year with his long-standing dive partner Richard “Harry” Harris.

Danail Obreschkow

Astrophysicist and bubble researcher

Danail is an astrophysicist aiming to understand the origin and evolution of galaxies and the cosmos. He is based at the University of Western Australia (UWA) node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and helps develop the Square Kilometre Array Telescope (SKA) project.

Daniel Midgley

Daniel is a linguist and science communicator teaching at the University of Western Australia. Since 2009, Daniel has been a presenter on the RTRFM podcast Talk the Talk and is also the voice of the Speakeasy on ABC Perth Radio. He takes questions from an engaged (and occasionally enraged) radio audience.

Fadzi Whande

Fadzi is an award-winning Global Diversity and Inclusion Strategist and Social Justice Advocate. She is a skilled facilitator in areas of inclusive leadership, racial equity, unconscious bias and social advocacy and has worked in Africa, Australia, the UK and USA. Over her career she has been named an Australia Day Ambassador, 2018 Western Australian of the Year finalist and recipient of the 2016 International Racial Equity Leadership Award in the USA. Fadzi has participated in various global leadership study tours held recently in India, London, Boston and Perth.

Jacqueline Alderson

Big data biomechanist

Jacqueline Alderson is an Associate Professor of Biomechanics at the University of Western Australia and Adjunct Professor of Human Performance, Innovation and Technology at the Auckland University of Technology. She has always been curious about movement - whether it’s helping surgeons make best practice decisions or helping AFL players avoid knee injuries. She now travels the world to share her knowledge in human movement, wearable tech and artificial intelligence and its role in tracking, analysing and intervening in the human condition.

Jessamine Soderstrom

Emergency Clinical Toxicologist

An Emergency Physician and Clinical Toxicologist at Royal Perth Hospital, Jessamine Soderstrom is developing a national early warning system for identifying illicit drugs causing harm. This multi-agency collaboration uses a data-driven model of care. It reduces harm by giving communities and emergency personnel the information they need to best manage and mitigate drug emergencies.

Kirsty Pratt

Sexual abuse law reformer

Driven by a keen sense of justice, Kirsty Pratt is an advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. After successfully campaigning for laws that allow survivors of abuse to seek justice, she now applies these reforms as specialist Law Clerk. Kristy wants to change the way we, as a community, discuss childhood sexual abuse - so our collective focus is on supporting survivors.

Marcelle Riley

Artist and storyteller

Marcelle recognises the power of using her Noongar culture to promote healing, both for herself and others. She works as a Noongar artist running workshops all over WA, using her skills in doll-making, weaving and eco-dyeing. Marcelle's own story doll is more famous than Marcelle – her name is Bibool Yok (Paperbark Girl) and was selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2018 National Self Portrait Prize. She was one of thirty self portraits selected for the by-invitation only prize.

Michael Gatt

Comedian

Owen Merriman and Michael Gatt have a shared passion for bringing ideas to life. A string of "creative side-hustles" has led them from charity events and apps to stand-up comedy.

Owen Merriman

Comedian

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Pankaj Sharma

Curry philanthropist

Social entrepreneurs Pankaj and his wife Kim started Toast My Curry in 2015 as their version of karma: Do good to do good and not to expect anything back, using the model of Buy One – Give One. They plan to take this social enterprise, and their project, around the world.

Parys X

Musician and performance artist

Parys X started writing music at 13 and released his first project when he was 23. He defines a unique sound by blending pop, hip hop and EDM anthems.

Paul Iskov

Bush tucker chef

Paul Iskov has worked in the world’s most acclaimed kitchens from Coi in San Francisco, DOM in Sao Paolo to Noma in Copenhagen. He now runs Fervor, a pop-up dining experience. As a leading authority on Australian native food, he’s putting ingredients like honey ants, quandong and bush banana (ngamoorrwarding) on the map and on our plates.

Samantha Grover

Soil scientist

Samantha Grover aims to both reverse climate change and ensure food security by using innovative soil stewardship. She is a soil scientist, lecturer in Environmental Science at RMIT, and contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Silvia Lozeva

Sustainable development researcher and Go student

Silvia has worked to advance equity and diversity in the higher education sector and leads campaigns on the prevention of violence against women. Silvia has lived and worked in New Zealand, Australia, Bulgaria, Russia, the UK and Central Europe. She organised the first academic Go Symposium in Australia (Sydney 2018) and has continuously applied the art, science and game of Go in her own research, teaching and community engagement. Silvia is a life-long Go player and an aspiring Go scholar. Silvia is joined on stage by two brave Go players, Hardy Zhiyuan DAI, 8 and Jason Schrader, 26 as they continue their game.

Simon Amos

Robotics bricklayer

Simon Amos is a keen advocate for the use of data as the single point of truth in construction - gaining us the increased efficiency and productivity that results when the gap between design and execution is bridged. His work at FBR demonstrates how robotics can replace dull, dangerous and dirty work in the construction industry - and perhaps reduce the cost of housing while increasing quality.

Yoke Mardewi

Queen of Sourdough

Yoke has published three books, including Wild Sourdough: The Natural Way To Bake, and shares her love of sourdough through classes all over Australia.