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).

Great Hall, Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast, Antrim, BT4 3XX
United Kingdom

Adam McGibbon

Campaigner and Writer

Adam McGibbon is an award-winning campaigner and writer, originally from Belfast. His campaign work has been wide-ranging, including climate change issues, integrated education in Northern Ireland and international work with communities who are threatened and endangered for defending the environment. His writing has been published by The Guardian, The Independent, The New Statesman and others.

Adriana Morvaiova

Diversity Champion

Adriana works in the tech industry to drive change and champion diversity, equality and inclusion. She was a Boardroom Apprentice Programme with the Equality Commission NI and in 2020 was part of the Ethnic Minority Leadership pilot program held by the Washington Ireland Program and Centre for Democracy & Peace Building, joining the board of Mediation Northern Ireland as a trustee in April 2021. Adriana is passionate about languages, accents and cultures and continues to raise awareness about accent bias and accent discrimination.

Anthony Miller

Columnist, Commentator and Barrister

Anthony Miller is a celebrity columnist, media commentator and almost qualified barrister. Anthony, well known for his frank and humorous commentary, is from Northern Ireland but lives and works UK wide. Anthony returned to education as a mature student studying law. Having no previous academic successes he went on to graduate with a first class honours and is well on his way to being called to the bar of England and Wales as a barrister.

Debbie and Julie McGlade

Family Business Owners and Hair Stylists

Debbie and Julie McGlade run family owned hair salon, making customers look amazing by advising, cutting and styling their hair, and often providing friendly support to their clients and the wider community.

Eileen Chan Hu

Diversity Trainer and Social Entrepreneur

Eileen is CEO and founder of CRAICNI, an award-winning training and educational social enterprise company which prides itself in investing in diverse trainers to promote diversity. Eileen was the former CEO of Chinese Welfare Association has sat on various Boards including NICVA and the BME subgroup. She was awarded the Chinese Overseas Award in Guangzhou representing UK in 2018 for her work with the Chinese community diaspora in NI. Eileen set up the first International Organisation for Migration NI branch and today continues consultancy in labour exploitation with Robin Brierley Associates. Currently Eileen is a Trustee of New Europeans, Vice Chair of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic Council NI and on the Centenary Forum, Northern Ireland Office.

Gareth Patterson

Doctor and Social Justice Adovocate

Gareth is a qualified medical doctor and member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. In 2019 he took up a GP Partnership post in East Belfast. Outside of his clinical job, Gareth is a proud advocate for the city he lives in and the country he loves. In 2017 he launched his own business, NI Coffee Maps, producing a series of pocket guides promoting the best local independent specialty coffee shops in Northern Ireland which is the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland.

Gráinne Maher

Couture Milliner and Accessories Designer

Gráinne Maher is a couture milliner and accessories designer, most recently adding art fabric and wallpaper designs to her portfolio. She is the curator of the Irish Millinery Collective, and a member of the British Hat Guild. Awards include Ulster Tatler Fashion Designer of the Year, and her work has been worn by personalities such as Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York, Selena Gomez and Alexandra Burke. She has shown her collections at London Fashion Week over several seasons at FASHIONSCOUT and her millinery work has appeared in press worldwide including ELLE UK, Vogue.it, Harper’s Bazaar China, Irish Times magazine and EDITORIAL NY. She is passionate about combining artisan millinery couture skills with modern materials and techniques, including laser cutting, 3D printing and digital print design.

Hen Norton

Director, Producer and Writer

Henrietta Norton, also known as Hen, is a director, producer and writer. Her films have received critical acclaim from festivals worldwide and her projects include short documentaries for The Guardian and The New York Times and a variety of publications including VICE, The Guardian and The Mail on Sunday. Alongside her film and written works, Hen has close ties with The Women’s Network in Belfast, as well as other peace-building organisations across Northern Ireland. During 2020, Hen founded a discussion platform Six Strangers, providing a private, digital space for small groups of individuals to have conversations about what it is we share. An increasingly important conversation, in a world that feels ever more divided. Hen is currently developing a feature documentary about her late stepmother; Mo Mowlam with her production company HOTFEET.

Holly Perreault

Sexual and Emotional Abuse Advocate

Holly Perreault is a survivor of childhood sexual and emotional abuse. She first advocated for others at just fourteen years old by testifying against her abuser. Her belief is that finding your voice is the first step to breaking the cycles of abuse and living a life you love. Holly is a coach, advocate and storyteller. In 2018, Holly left her leadership job in the tech industry to relocate from the United States to Northern Ireland. Holly will soon graduate from Ulster University with her BSc in Therapeutic Communications and Counselling and co-facilitates the first Adult Survivor of Child Abuse (ASCA) meeting in Northern Ireland.

Leo Brown

Athlete, Accountant and Tech Enthusiast

Leo Brown is an athlete, accountant and tech enthusiast. He’s been playing football since he was four years old and represented Northern Ireland as a teenager in their u19s team. He left Northern Ireland at the age of 16 to play professionally for Birmingham City FC and currently plays for Ards FC. While also studying for an accountancy degree and working as an accountant for Flamma, he has co-founded tech company and is a Youth Ambassador for Rio Ferdinand Foundation.

Martina Purdy

Pilgrim Guide

Martina Purdy is a former BBC political correspondent and author, who currently works as a pilgrim guide with Saint Patrick Centre, leading and promoting a new Irish Camino, St Patrick's Way. Her book Room 21: Stormont Behind Closed Doors recounts the rise and fall of the power-sharing Executive (1998-2002) forged by the Good Friday Agreement. She is also a former Sister of Adoration, quitting the BBC in 2014 to enter a religious congregation in Belfast after more than 20 years in journalism. She spent five years in the convent as Sr Martina of the Blessed Sacrament. She currently lives and works in Downpatrick.

Patrick Dexter

Irish Cellist, Composer and Teacher

Patrick grew up playing music with his seven brothers and sisters in Dublin, the cellist in the family ensemble. After graduating from Trinity College Dublin and the University of Leiden with a Master’s Degree in Politics, Patrick relocated to the west of Ireland to teach music. As schools closed in March 2020 due to coronavirus lockdowns, Patrick began playing music from outside his cottage in the west of Ireland. Since then, his performances have been viewed millions of times online and have become a needed comfort for people all over the world. Currently, Patrick is the head of music at the County Hall Arts, London where he composes music and he is also working on his debut album to be released in Autumn 2021.