In this lighthearted talk Dominic Walliman gives us four guiding principles for easy science communication and unravels the myth that quantum physics is difficult to understand, it’s all in how it’s explained.

Dominic Walliman is a physicist, and award-winning science writer. He received his PhD in quantum device physics from the University of Birmingham and currently works at D-Wave Systems Inc., a quantum computing company in Vancouver. Dominic grew up reading science books and remembers vividly the excitement of discovering the mind-boggling explanations that science gives us about the Universe. If he can pass on this wonder and enjoyment to the next generation, he will consider it a job well done.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

The increase in political polarization over the last several years threatens democracy. Some people have given up on trying to create bridges with people who do not think like them or see the world the same way. Speaker David Plazas talks about why embracing good citizenship and connecting with neighbors are essential to American society and offers some ideas for how to create successful conversations in a messy time. David Plazas is the Opinion and Engagement Director for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and The Tennessean. He has worked as a journalist for two decades and most of his career has focused on opinion journalism, community conversations, and building solutions to local and state challenges. He leads The Tennesseans Civility Tennessee campaign, which started in 2018 to model, promote, and encourage better civil discourse. In 2020, he started the Tennessee Voices podcast, a show focused on conversations with diverse leaders, thinkers and innovators on what they are doing and how they are managing during the COVID-19 pandemic. He holds a B.A. in political science and Spanish, and a masters in journalism, both from Northwestern University, and earned an M.B.A. at Florida Gulf Coast University. He and his family live in Nashville, Tennessee. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Gene editing tools make it possible for us to manipulate the code of life. If we slightly modify the DNA of an orange we can obtain a tangerine. The old biology was used to observe stuff, the new biology can make it, it can redesign species. But what happens when we do it with human DNA? What happens when we decide to program cells? Renowned TED speaker Juan Enriquez gives us an outlook on the future of humankind in the post DNA-editing era and he explains the impact of new life-sciences on politics, business, technology, and society. Juan Enriquez is a life scientist, author, and futurist. He is the co-author of the book “Evolving ourselves: How Unnatural Selection and Nonrandom Mutation Are Shaping Life on Earth”. He is also the managing director of Excel Venture Management, a life sciences VC firm. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Anita is a contemporary Australian author. She is a Wiradjuri woman. She is an Indigenous Literacy Day Ambassador and an Adjunct Professor with Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS amongst many other things.

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)

Diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in early 2012 Catherine battled the illness throughout her ‘A’ levels and the first year of her degree which resulted in her taking two gap years to get specialist treatment as an inpatient Eating Disorders Unit. Catherine reveals a deeply honest account into her road to recovery which will hopefully inspire others.

Catherine is a chemistry student at the University of Warwick, a photography enthusiast and a self-confessed perfectionist. While growing up in Leicestershire, Catherine was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in early 2012 and battled the illness throughout her ‘A’ levels and the first year of her degree. This resulted in her taking two gap years to get specialist treatment as an inpatient at an Eating Disorders Unit.

Catherine has just completed her second year at university, and has not relapsed. She is busy enjoying student life and everything it entails, before entering the world of work when she graduates next year.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Why is it that so many people think they can’t draw? Where did we learn to believe that? Graham Shaw will shatter this illusion – quite literally — in a very practical way. He’ll demonstrate how the simple act of drawing has the power to make a positive difference in the world.

Graham specialises in the art of communication and has helped thousands of people to make important presentations. He is perhaps best known for his use of fast cartoon drawings to communicate ideas and is the author of ‘The Art of Business Communication’.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

New technology allows us to look inside the brain to see recovery after stroke. Kari Dunning describes how this research challenges long held beliefs while giving new hope for stroke survivors.

Dr.Dunning is Associate Professor

Jessica Gimeno lives with bipolar disorder and wants to expand the discourse around mental health. Its not enough to just receive a diagnosis, she says, people have to learn to live with depression and other mental health issues. In her talk, she shares the techniques shes learned to help her get stuff done while depressed.

Jessica is a warrior who fights five illnesses daily: bipolar II, polycystic ovarian syndrome, asthma, psoriasis, and the neuromuscular autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Jessica Gimeno was valedictorian of her class, winning more than 20 speech competitions. Motivated by a friend’s suicide, she spoke to hundreds of students about mental health stigma and helped thirty students get psychiatric help. In her free time, Jessica is a diehard New Kids on the Block fan who enjoys pilates, painting, and playing with her nieces and nephews.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

To what extent is genius and mental illness such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia related? To what extent do genetics and environment influence genius and mental illness? Do we as a society overestimate and overemphasize the value of intelligence? This talk explores the age-old notion that «genius» and «madness» are related. With the explosion of scientific knowledge on the brain in the last decade, this talk explores the extent to which we currently understand the biological basis of creativity, intelligence, and mental illness.

Dr. Lamont Tang graduated from Stanford University and received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at Brandeis University while training under Professor Eve Marder, past President of the Society of Neuroscience. He then continued his post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco with Graeme Davis. Lamont has published in top neuroscience and biology journals and his research interests include genetics, genomics, physiology, and theoretical neuroscience. Outside of academia, Lamont is an accomplished musician, having studied under Carol Sindell and Dorothy Delay--one of the worlds most renowned violin teachers. Lamont has performed as a soloist with prominent orchestras such as the Oregon Symphony and has also performed in masterclasses with musicians such as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukeman, Cho-Liang Lin and Glen Dicterow.

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)

Dr John Thomas is a passionate educator of chemistry who aims to educate … and entertain! Armed with the chemical understanding of fireworks, smoke machines and other exciting reactions, Dr Thomas is no stranger to the flashy and dramatic side of chemistry. In this presentation, Dr Thomas showcases some fascinating and explosive reactions, whilst teaching a thing or two about the chemistry going on! So, enjoy this educational and entertaining chemistry show! Dr John Thomas is a passionate educator of chemistry who aims to educate … and entertain! Armed with the chemical understanding of fireworks, smoke machines and other exciting reactions, Dr Thomas is no stranger to the flashy and dramatic side of chemistry. In this presentation, Dr Thomas showcases some fascinating and explosive reactions, whilst teaching a thing or two about the chemistry going on! So, enjoy this educational and entertaining chemistry show! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx