Theme: Eyes Wide Open

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 Bridgewater Hall
Lower Mosley Street
Manchester, Manchester, M2 3WS
United Kingdom

Alex Keshavarzi

An Explorer of Exotic Particles

Dr Alex Keshavarzi is a particle physicist at the University of Manchester, working on experiments to test our best understanding of the fundamental structure of the universe. Alex completed his degree in astrophysics and a master’s degree in physics at Queen Mary, University of London, before undertaking a PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Liverpool. He has been a research associate at the University of Manchester since 2019. Alex’s main focus is in the study of particles called muons (the heavy cousin of the electron), and primarily is working on experiments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in the USA. By exploring the precise behaviour of muons, he hopes to try and uncover the existence of new particles or forces of nature.

Andrew Smyth

A Great British Baker & Engineer

Andrew is an aerospace engineer, presenter and baker. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, he divides his time between researching future aircraft for Rolls Royce and presenting his creation, “bakineering”, to explain engineering through edible means. As a presenter, Andrew has worked internationally across stage, TV and online. He is the creator, executive producer and judge on Netflix’s “Baking Impossible” and is an expert contributor on Discovery’s “Secrets of the Superfactories”. He regularly produces and performs live “bakineering” shows with partners including the Royal Institution and the European Space Agency. As a finalist on the Great British Bake Off in 2016, he became known for his outrageously engineered creations. Since leaving the tent, he’s nearly chopped his finger off hosting a live cooking segment on ITV and baked a rotating jet engine cake for Prince William.

Andy Spinoza

A Manchester Chronicler

In 1979 Andy Spinoza moved to Manchester from London at eighteen and never looked back. An early member of the Haçienda, he reported on the city’s music scene for the NME and The Face. He founded and edited alternative magazine City Life in 1983 and was the gossip columnist for the Manchester Evening News. As boss of his own PR company, he promoted the dynamic post-industrial Manchester throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He launched The Lowry arts centre and Spinningfields business district, worked with Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, and for the city’s property developers and council leaders. His archive of media and memorabilia has been acquired by the new British Pop Archive at John Rylands Library. His new book Manchester unspun: pop, property and power in the original modern city is an account of the city’s extraordinary reinvention – it examines the role of pop culture in building the new Manchester and asks, could a city really get high on music?

Angela Samata

A Mental Health Campaigner

Based in NW England, Angela is perhaps best known for presenting the BBC1 BAFTA-nominated and winner of the Mind Media Award for Best Factual TV documentary ‘Life After Suicide’. The film encouraged discussion and exploration of mental health issues, challenging the stigma of suicide. Describing her own experience after her partner took his own life 17 years ago, Angela travelled the length and breadth of the UK talking to others who had experienced the same loss. The documentary was aired as part of the BBC’s Mental Health Season #InTheMind and was watched worldwide by over 5 million viewers. A founding member of the Speakers Collective, Angela sits on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention and is a member of Tate Liverpool’s advisory board. She co-authored the NHS70 Parliamentary award-winning Suicide Prevention Zero Suicide Alliance training which has now been accessed by over 2 million people across the UK and multiple countries.

Anthony Ogbuokiri

An Organic Architect

Dr Anthony Ogbuokiri is a thought leader in Sustainable Architecture and Human Capital Development. He is a voice for change, driving forward the sustainable design agenda and has spoken widely around the world. Dr Ogbuokiri is an accomplished construction professional. He is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Architecture, Design, and the Built Environment at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Prior to joining NTU, he was the Head of Construction and the Built Environment at South Essex College. His PhD work at the University of Manchester on bioclimatic architecture explored the robust integration of biomimicry, vernacular concepts, and organic approaches into modern designs as vehicle for delivery of sustainable built environments especially in developing tropical countries.

Charlotte Fox Weber

An Analyst for Desire

Charlotte Fox Weber grew up in Connecticut and Paris and went to the University of Bristol, where she studied English and Philosophy. She did her psychotherapy training at the Tavistock & Portman Trust, the Institute of Psychoanalysis, WPF, and Regent’s University. She is a UKCP accredited psychotherapist and registered member of BACP. Charlotte founded The School of Life Psychotherapy in 2015, and now works in private practice in London. She is a trustee on the board of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation and runs writing workshops with young women in Senegal.

Damian Hughes

A Peak Performance Expert

Damian Hughes is the author of eight best-selling business books, including Liquid Thinking, Liquid Leadership, How to Change Absolutely Anything, How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson and The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset. His latest book, High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best, has been a no 1 Sunday Times best seller. His work has been translated into ten languages. He was nominated for the 2007 William Hill Sports book of the year for Peerless, his biography of Sugar Ray Robinson. In 2009, he co-authored the acclaimed biography, Hitman: the Thomas Hearns Story. His 2013 biography, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, became the UK’s bestselling sports biography. He was appointed as a visiting Professor of Organisational Behaviour & Change at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2010. Damian is co-host of the popular High Performance Podcast, and has served on the coaching teams for England Rugby League, England Roses, Scotland Rugby Union among many others.

Fran Scott

A Neuroscience Demonstrator

Fran Scott is a 3x BAFTA-nominated Engineering presenter, maker and pyrotechnician. A neuroscientist by training and an engineer at heart, Fran is an experienced prop builder and Science Content Producer who specialises in the use of physical demonstrations to explain complex scientific phenomena. Fran’s love of industrial engineering and innovation has taken centre stage with her credits including Abandoned Engineering, The Process Automation Podcast and The Robot Podcast for ABB. Fran is Creative Director of her own events Production Company, Great Scott! Productions, which works with Engineering and Infrastructure firms to produce high-quality classroom resources, to inspire the next generation of Engineers whilst simultaneously developing the talents of under-represented presenters. Fran is a Trustee of the Brunel Museum, a member of the Engineering and Technology Innovation Awards Advisory Board and has served on the Institute of Physics’ Girls in Physics Advisory Group.

Hannah Rudd

A Marine Biologist

Hannah Rudd is a marine scientist and writer based in Suffolk. Her first book Britain’s Living Seas: Our Coastal Wildlife & How We Can Save It, published by Bloomsbury Publishing in collaboration with the Wildlife Trusts, highlights the hidden gems in our seas and how we can all be everyday marine conservationists. Often overlooked and undervalued she wants to get people excited by our coastline and encourage them to forge their own connection with its salty depths. As a marine expert, Hannah has been featured regularly on television and radio networks, including the BBC and Science Channel. She has worked in global shark hotspots and currently works with recreational anglers in the UK.

James Levine

A Fidgety Medicine Man

James A. Levine MD PhD, is president of Fondation Ipsen, Paris, and a Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Levine is an international expert on obesity. His research has focused on Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) and approaches to help people become more active, decrease cardiovascular risk and become healthier. He has developed multiple body-worn devices that measure physical activity and caloric intake, the treadmill desk and a variety of office & school solutions to promote NEAT. He’s authored both “Move A Little Lose A Lot” and “Get Up!” as well as more than 200 scientific articles, including 6 in the journals Science and Nature. He has received more than 50 awards in science including from NASA, the World Trade Fair and the White House. Levine is also a novelist who’s been published in 37 countries, and won National Book Awards in the USA, France and Japan.

Joy Milne

A Nurse with Superpowers

Joy Milne spent her professional life in the care of others as a nurse in a Nightingale ward. But her life took an unexpected turn when she began to notice that her husband, a consultant anaesthetist, began to smell distinctly differently to her. Twelve years later he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and during a visit to Parkinson’s UK she realised other patients had the same smell. She came to realise that somehow, she could smell Parkinson’s Disease in people and detect it far earlier than the NHS. Today, Joy is working closely with the University of Manchester and Professor Perdita Barran to better understand Joy’s incredible abilities but more importantly seek to develop a superior diagnostic that doesn’t require Joy’s personal presence.

Rupal Patel

CIA Agent Turned CEO

After growing up in suburban Staten Island, NY, Rupa Patel’s life took an unplanned turn when she decided to join the CIA after graduating with her Masters degree. Serving primarily under President George W. Bush after 9/11, she became an intelligence expert on Afghanistan. She advised Four-Star Generals, earned War Zone Service Medals, and was recognized by the CIA Director for “superior support to the President of the United States.” From there she earned her MBA from London Business School and started her own successful business. Today, by combining her business experience with her CIA training, Rupal advises ambitious organisational leaders on achieving their goals. Her work has been incorporated into the MBA and Executive MBA programs at London Business School, Henley Business School, and The University of Edinburgh Business School, and her book ‘From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder’ is an international best-seller.

Sally Adee

A Biological Detective

Sally Adee is an award-winning science and technology writer. She spent ten years as a technology features editor at New Scientist and IEEE Spectrum magazine. She has also written for the New York Times, BBC Future, Quartz and The Economist. She has won a US National Press Club award, a BT Information Security awards and the Guild of Health Writers Award for her inside account of Silicon Valley’s young blood clinics.