TEDxSydney lineup announced
TEDxSydney has announced the speaker lineup for Saturday 26 May.
The announcement:
TEDxSydney today announced the 2012 lineup of speakers and performers, featuring 20 leaders in a range of fields from robotics to philosophy.
TEDxSydney Executive Producer, Janne Ryan said a focus for this year is around the new economies and Australia’s changing role in Asia and the Pacific.
“Our 2012 TEDxSydney speakers are change agents. Many are making discoveries that will transform and define our 21st century local, regional and global worlds. From the way we negotiate our personal and political relationships, to the economy, the design and building of our cities and the world of data and quantum physics, TEDxSydney 2012 will share a way forward,” she said.
Anyone can participate in the annual ideas event via simulcast or tune into one of the partner livestreams. However, only a limited number can actually be seated in the theatre itself. Applications to be part of the live Bay 17 audience on Saturday 26 May at Carriageworks, Eveleigh, can be made via the Events tab of the TEDxSydney website from today until midnight AEST 5 April 2012.
The 2012 speakers lineup includes (full speakers bio HERE.)
Professor Kate Burridge, Chair, Linguistics, Monash University and a regular presenter of language segments including ABC’s Can We Help – will talk about the evolution of our Australian English.
Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, CEO, NICTA, robotics researcher. Hugh’s work in field robotics leads the world. Australia is developing robots that work independently – they direct themselves. These revolutionary robots will be seen in person, going through their paces, at TEDxSydney.
Professor Geoff Garrett, currently CEO US Studies Centre, and the new head of University of Sydney Business School from April. Professor Garrett will talk about Australia’s new role and relationships in Asia and with the US.
Professor Tom Griffiths, environmental historian will look at how Australia has changed over the last 1,000 years as the world temperature has risen one degree “One Degree, One Thousand Years.” Professor Griffiths has just returned from a trip to Mawson’s Hut.
Sydney-born Jeremy Heimans, who is behind the concept and foundation of GETUP, now USA based and a co-creator of purpose.com. Jeremy has a new model for economics that he is working on – which looks at the emerging markets of China and India specifically.
Dr Evan Kidd, ANU-based psychologist, will talk about the role of imaginary friends and play for both adults and children. His new research will premiere on TEDxSydney stage.
Dr Angela Moles, Eureka Award winner 2011 and researcher on the World Herbivory Project will speak about her research on weeds, and show how we should re-consider and re-position ‘weeds’.
Gerard Reinmuth and Anthony Burke, architects and Creative Directors of Australia’s representation at Venice Architecture Biennale 2012 will put forward their ideas for The City and how it will shape 21st century Australia.
Nobel Prize winning astronomer Brian Schmidt, ANU Canberra. Professor Schmidt will speak about the role of science education in primary schools.
Professor Michelle Simmons, Director, Australian Centre of excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology. Professor Simmons is a world leader in data storage – and her recent work puts her one step closer to the world’s first quantum computer.
Professor Mandyam Srinivasan, Professor of Visual Neuroscience, Queensland Brain Institute, and, School of Information technology and Electrical engineering, University of Queensland. Mandyam will show leading research comparing how bees work and how we think.
Tim Southpommasane, political theorist and philosopher, Research Fellow, Monash University. His new book “Don’t Go Back To Where You Came From”, will be published in September 2012.
Lynette Wallworth, recognised as one of Australia’s leading artists, will showcase her latest work Transit of Venus. This multi-media interactive work positions Australia in Asia and the Pacific. This piece will be a special preview before the work travels to London for the London Olympics.
Performers include: Singer Songwriter Tim Freedman, songstress Katie Noonan, Indigenous Singers Stiff Gins, the Sydney Koto Ensemble and FourPlay String Quartet. Musical performances are curated by TEDxSydney Musical Producer Jordan Verzar.
Two speakers from the audience will also be included on the TEDxSydney stage. These will be announced closer to the day.
This year successful applicants will be asked to contribute to the costs associated with producing the event. A charge of of A$160 (plus GST and booking fee) will cover the full day conference along with all food, beverages and admission to the after-party. A half-price concession is alsoavailable for holders of a valid concession ID.
Source: TEDxSydney press release
