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 Bluffs, UWL Student Union
521 East Ave
3rd floor
La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
United States

Barrett Klein

Scholar and Professor in animal behavior, entomology, social insect biology, sleep biology, scientific visualization, intersection of entomology and art, cultural entomology

Barrett Klein investigates entomology, animal behavior, scientific visualization, and cultural entomology. Present projects include studying the functional importance of sleep in social insects and bats, how insects impact human culture, and the importance of visuals in science. Studying entomology at Cornell, University of Arizona, and the University of Texas at Austin, Barrett took his more academic knowledge of insects and applied it in museum settings, creating exhibits at the American Museum of Natural History. Exploring the intersection of science and art, Barrett investigates insect behavior and how insects affect human culture in UWL’s Pupating Lab, dreaming about warmer weather when the wasps will return and when he can rejoin their glorious legion.

Dena Huisman

Scholar and professor of interpersonal communication and social support

Dr. Dena Huisman is a scholar of interpersonal communication who studies social support. She focuses particularly on support for socially challenging topics, such as grief, mental health, and identity marginalization. She is a strong advocate for racial, gender, and sexual equality, and her work focuses on how our support can be rooted in equity and respect. She also teaches courses in public speaking. Dr. Huisman develops speeches and training workshops on a variety of interpersonal and organizational communication topics.

Shaundel Spivey

Co-founder and Director, Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.)

Spivey has a strong reputation for promoting diversity and social justice in the Coulee Region of Western Wisconsin. In 2016, he founded a nonprofit — Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge — which empowers La Crosse’s Black community by focusing on seven pillars: community engagement, financial literacy, youth engagement, family, spirituality, health and wellness, and directed the difficult transition from high school to college for under-priviledged students. He received La Crosse’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, was elected to the La Crosse Board of Education in 2020 and invited to join the WI Governor Tony Evers’ newly formed Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion providing strategic guidance to the governor, lieutenant governor and Department of Administration secretary to develop a sustainable framework to promote and advance diversity, equity and inclusion practices across Wisconsin state government.