Theme: Entering a New Era

Everything’s changing, we live in a new normal, nothing will be the same again, … Those are some of the statements that have marked 2020 and will mark the rest of 2021 as long as we deal with the global impact of COVID-19. How should we make sense of these changes? What can we expect? Are we truly entering a new era? What will fields such as innovation, education, cybersecurity, personal work & efficiency, science, … look like over the coming few decades?
Many such questions and uncertainties are interwoven with our current views on the future, that’s why it is more important than ever to think and talk about it, to listen to others’ views on it, and to challenge each other’s assumptions as we go along.
On the 13th of May 2021, TEDxKULeuven is a platform where such discussions and talks will be held and you can be a part of it!

Naamsestraat 22
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant (nl), 3000
Belgium

Eddy Willems

Cyber security expert

Eddy Willems is a worldwide recognized cybersecurity expert! Currently, he is a board member of 3 security industry organizations (EICAR, LSEC, AVAR), Global Security Officer, and the resident Security Evangelist at G DATA CyberDefense AG. In his current role, he gives presentations and seminars all over the world. Several online and broadcasting media use his advice regularly. He published his first Dutch book ‘𝗖𝗬𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗔𝗥’ in 2013 followed by a German and English translation ‘Cyber danger’. He is also co-author of the Dutch SF cyberthriller ‘Het Virus’ published in 2020.

Katrien Kolenberg

Astrophysicist, artist, and science communicator

At the Catholic University of Leuven Katrien has various roles as STE(A)M coordinator, manager of ESERO-Belgium (European Space Education Resource Office), and associate researcher at the Institute of Astronomy. She is also a professor of Astrophysics at the University of Antwerp and the VUB. Katrien’s astronomy research lies in the field of stellar astrophysics, particularly variable stars and asteroseismology. Katrien is passionate about scientific research, astronomy for development, and innovative/artistic science communication and education worldwide. She has received international awards for both scientific accomplishments and science communication.

Mattias Losoli

Young Leader, Founder of Talk To C

Mattias is an inspiring young leader with a clear mission: stimulate people to become the best version of themselves! 🎯 At his young age, he has already come a long way. In 2018, Mattias was elected CEO for One Month out of 2700 applicants. This program gave him the opportunity to gain unique insights from the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He revealed an effective strategy on how to discover your passion during his previous TEDx Talk: “Je passie ontdekken? Zeer simpel!”. Mattias is the founder of Talk To C, a community that supports driven professionals to become the best version of themselves by connecting them with top senior leaders and by enriching them with skills that facilitate growth as well in their career as in their personal life.

Peter Hinssen

Serial entrepreneur, advisor, keynote speaker and author

Peter is one of the most sought-after thought leaders on radical innovation, leadership, and the impact of all things digital on society and business. He lectures at various business schools such as the London Business School (UK) and MIT in Boston. Peter has founded nexxworks to help organizations become fluid, innovate and thrive in 'The Day After Tomorrow'.

Pieter Verstraete

Professor Education, Culture and Society

Pieter Verstraete is an associate professor at the Research Unit Education, Culture and Society of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. He is also curator of the annual Leuven DisABILITY Filmfestival. He currently is finalizing his new book on "Silence in the classroom. – a history of modern schooling".