On October 15 the Perth Concert Hall will again unveil some of the state’s most innovative thinkers, with the first eight speakers of this year's TEDxPerth announced today.
The Perth Concert Hall will host some of the state’s most innovative thinkers on October 15, with the first eight speakers of this year's TEDxPerth announced today.
TEDxPerth is an annual, independently organised TEDx event that invites a range of Western Australia’s academics, creatives, scientists and entertainers to deliver a live 18-minute presentation based on their inventive ideas.
This year’s lineup will offer a mix of insights into diverse industries such as medical research, social justice, space exploration and electronic music.
Perth creative scientist Gary Cass has been asked to share his ideas on the fabric of the future, looking at avenues to clothe people sustainably.
Another 2016 speaker, molecular geneticist and professor Steve Wilton, will question whether a drug can cure a genetic disease.
And social justice campaigner Michael Sheldrick will focus on leveraging online citizens to real world action.
Other speakers announced today include writer and sustainability advocate Lindsay Miles, radio astronomer Natasha Hurley-Walker, electronic music historian Meg Travers, indigenous educator Cally Jetta, and comedian John Robertson.
TEDxPerth started in 2012 and licensee Joel Miller said the event challenged a widespread misconception about Perth.
“We aim to raise the intellectual ambition and innovative culture of WA, and the calibre of speakers and growing popularity of the event to continue to defy the notion that Perth is not an interesting place,” he said.
“Perth is home to many exceptional thinkers and innovators with ideas worth sharing.
“We’re pleased to be back for a fifth year in a row providing an opportunity for more of our top thinkers to reach a broader audience.”
Although the Perth Concert Hall has a capped 1,700-seat capacity, talks from the day will also be live-streamed on the web and broadcast live on the public screen at Northbridge Piazza.
“The event sells out in advance every year, but we’re committed to making TEDxPerth accessible to a broader online audience,” Mr Miller said.
He said some of the past speakers had also landed a spot on the global TED website.
“We’re proud to help our local superstars spread their ideas to a global audience and help put Perth on the world map,” Mr Miller said.
Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster or the Perth Concert Hall.
Complete line-up of TEDx speakers include musicians Rachel Claudio, Simon Philips and Alexandre de Costa, blockchain entrepreneur Adrian Peterson, business leader Kia Dowell and sociologist Akram Azimi.
