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).

Advanced Engineering Building GHD Auditorium
Building 49, The University of Queensland, Staff House Rd
St Lucia, Queensland, 4072
Australia

Brendan Walker-Munro

Law Researcher

Dr Brendan Walker-Munro is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Law at The University of Queensland, Australia. Brendan’s career before academia involved more than fifteen years conducting investigations and enforcement work in Federal and State government regulators. Since leaving the public service, Brendan’s research has been into the legality of national security and law enforcement bodies and their use of surveillance powers. Brendan has also been exploring the legal language of privacy and how this can give us a false sense of security when it comes to our private data.

Chris Rinke

Scientist

Dr Chris Rinke is an ARC Future Fellow and Senior Lecturer at the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics (ACE) at The University of Queensland, Australia. At the time of his talk, Dr Rinke's research focused on bacterial plastic degradation, and the gut microbiomes of polystyrene eating superworms, and other microbial players.

Claudia Benham

Human Geographer

Dr Claudia Benham is a human geographer within the School of Environment at The University of Queensland, Australia. She studies how environmental changes in marine and coastal ecosystems affect local communities who live alongside, and depend on, the ocean. Part of this work looks at ecological grief - a sense of distress about the loss of important species, places or ecosystems.

Daniel Franks

Mineral Security Expert

Professor Daniel Franks is the Deputy Director (Research) at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute, in Australia. Daniel's work on the interconnection between minerals, materials and sustainable development is internationally recognised, and shows that there is more to the story of mining than we typically see. Daniel dedicates his research to understanding the role of minerals in the reduction of poverty, and the social and environmental changes associated with mining.

Donna Best

Disability Rights Advocate

Donna Best is a disability rights advocate, who works with the Queenslanders with Disability Network. She has been active within this space for four decades and has presented at numerous national conferences on disability advocacy, encouraging people with disabilities to speak for themselves. Donna is a well-respected player in the disability movement in Queensland and Australia more broadly.

Gilbert Price

Vertebrate Palaeoecologist and Geochronologist

Associate Professor Gilbert Price is a Senior Lecturer in Palaeontology at The University of Queensland, Australia. He is a vertebrate palaeoecologist and geochronologist, particularly interested in the evolution and emergence of our planet's unique ecosystems and fauna, and their response to prehistoric climatic changes. His major research focus has been on the development of palaeoecological models for Australia's Cenozoic era, especially the Quaternary megafauna.

Huda Fadlelmawla

Spoken Word Poet

Huda Fadlelmawla - better known as Huda The Goddess - is a renowned poet, having been the 2021 Australia Poetry Slam Champion and a two-time Queensland Champion. She is a spoken word poet, educator, mental health advocate, dancer, and workshop facilitator. She describes poetry as one of the senses that has allowed her to turn her experiences into art and maintain her connection to her people.

Jodi Ferrari

Children’s Gallery Coordinator

Jodi Ferrari's love of art began at a young age, but it wasn't until a high school excursion to Queensland Art Gallery that she had her most transformative experience with art. Jodi studied a Bachelor of Arts (Art History) at The University of Queensland, Australia, and a Master of Education (Visual Arts) at University of Technology Sydney, Australia. She has held various roles in education and public programs over the last two decades in regional galleries in New South Wales and Queensland. She brings her understanding of immersive art experiences and the importance of play to her current role as Curator of the dedicated Children's Gallery at HOTA, Home of the Arts, on the Gold Coast.

Kathy Ellem

Participatory Research Expert

Dr Kathy Ellem is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work at The University of Queensland, Australia. She is also an active member within the Queenslanders with Disability Network. Kathy's primary research expertise is participatory research methodologies (including narrative, digital and arts-based research), with people with impaired cognitive capacity.

Nancy Pachana

Clinical Geropsychologist

Dr Nancy A. Pachana is a Professor of Clinical Geropsychology in the School of Psychology, and Director of the Healthy Ageing Initiative, at The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. She is also program lead for UQ’s Age Friendly University Initiative. Her research is well-cited and she maintains a clear international focus in her collaborations and research interests, which include driving safety and dementia, teaching and learning in psychogeriatrics, mental health policy, and more.

Rainasyia Zafira

Youth Leader

Rainasyia Zafira is a third-year Bachelor of Social Science student, majoring in development, at The University of Queensland, Australia. She is passionate about youth-led development and devotes time outside her studies to volunteering for youth-led organisations both in Australia and in her home country, Indonesia. Through these experiences, she has been able to explore ways to help youth-led organisations overcome funding barriers.

Sharlene Allsopp

Author

Sharlene Allsopp was born and raised on the unceded indigenous land of Bundjalung Country. She is an alum of The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, and was recognised as UQ’s Ford Memorial Poet of 2021. She has shared her unique perspective in various publications, including the Growing Up Indigenous in Australia anthology. Her debut novel, The Great Undoing, is due for release in 2024

Stan Steindl

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Stan Steindl is a Clinical Psychologist at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd, and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. He is also co-director of the UQ Compassionate Mind Research Group, and convenor of the annual UQ Compassion Symposium. Stan has over 25 years experience as a therapist, supervisor, trainer, and researcher. Stan’s research interests are in the areas of compassion and compassion-based interventions, and especially the role of cultivating compassion and self-compassion in the context of trauma, shame, self-criticism and clinical disorders.