Theme: Imagine

TEDxStormont is bringing together a range of exciting speakers to inspire you, as we believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately the world. The overall theme of TEDxStormont 2019 is “Imagine” – we will look forward and imagine the kind of future we could have together as a society, here in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Great Hall, Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast, Antrim, BT4 3XX
United Kingdom

Alice McCullough

Writer, Performer, Artist

Alice's unconventional poetry performances have captivated audiences ever since she made her start performing ‘Alice Fresco’ on the streets of Belfast. Her unique way with words has won her slams and fans both locally and internationally, with poems commissioned for TV and radio and supporting top talents in poetry, music and comedy. In her critically acclaimed one-woman show 'Earth To Alice' (recently nominated for a Saboteur Award) Alice takes us from the trauma, loneliness and isolation behind the locked doors of the mental health ward out into the richness and beauty of a city determined to reach for Peace. @earthtoalice

Colin Davidson

Contemporary Artist

Colin Davidson is a contemporary artist. Since 2010 his focus has been on painting grand scale portraits, which have won widespread recognition and many international awards. His portrait sitters have included President Bill Clinton, HM The Queen, Brad Pitt, Ed Sheeran and Liam Neeson. In December 2015 he was commissioned by TIME Magazine to paint the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, for the cover for its ‘Person of the Year’ issue. His critically acclaimed exhibition ‘Silent Testimony’, which reveals the stories of eighteen people who are connected by their individual experiences of loss through the Troubles, was first shown at the Ulster Museum Belfast during 2015, before embarking on a tour which included the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, Dublin Castle and the United Nations NYC. @colin_davidson

Connor Kerr

Creative activist and campaigner. Co-Founder Another World Belfast

Connor is Co-Founder of Another World Belfast CIC, a not for profit that runs The Love Pack, a public collection of toiletries and underwear for those living in extreme need in Belfast. In 2012 Connor left a successful career as a hairdresser and fashion events producer to work within many humanitarian aid settings around the world. Most notably within refugee camps at the height of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Greece. In 2017 Connor returned home to receive treatment for a parasitic infection. After bearing witness to some of the horrors of humanity, and with an amplified perspective on the privilege we all enjoy, he put his skills and network to work to make a difference. Connor describes his recent journey as being one of learning to love and trust people again. AWB is built on that foundation, their message to Show Some Love stands as a daily reminder of what magic happens when humans connect with a shared purpose. @anotherconnor

Deepa Mann-Kler

Artist, Technologist and Author

Deepa Mann-Kler is an award-winning artist, public speaker, author, educator and technologist. She is known for her large scale public artwork neon installations as featured in Lumiere. A frequent speaker at conferences she covers the intersection between creativity, innovation, technology, health and wellbeing, all with a value basis firmly grounded in technology for good, diversity, inclusion and positive social impact. Deepa is CEO of Neon, a health technology company and Visiting Professor in Immersive Futures at Ulster University. Her ground-breaking book examined the impact of racism on black and minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland, Out Of The Shadows, published in 1997.

Duncan Morrow

Academic and Community Activist

Duncan Morrow is an academic and community activist. He is currently the Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University in Belfast at a time when the University is going through its biggest-ever transformation by relocating its largest campus into the centre of the city. His interest in inter-community relationships and questions of peace and conflict have shaped both his University career and his activity outside those walls. For nine years, Duncan was Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, and since then he has worked with the Scottish Government as the chair of independent Ministerial advisory groups on tackling Sectarianism and on Hate Crime, Prejudice and Community Cohesion. Duncan has written and researched widely on conflict, politics and religion and issues peacebuilding and this year supported the Sir George Quigley Fund in writing a review on the evidence of ongoing Sectarianism in Northern Ireland. @duncan_morrow

Fergal McFerran

Activist, Uncle, Optimist

Fergal McFerran is 27 years old and works for Stonewall, Europe’s largest LGBT rights organisation. From Dunloy, in North Antrim he moved to Belfast in 2010 where he studied Theology at Queen’s University before graduating in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Before working for Stonewall, Fergal served as President of NUS-USI, the body which represents students in higher and further education in Northern Ireland between 2015 – 2017. His time in office was a politically charged one; during his term he was responsible for the student movement’s response to two Northern Ireland Assembly elections, the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union and a UK General Election. @FergalMcFerran

Jess Dornan Lynas

Storyteller, Tech-Founder, Creative

Jess Dornan Lynas is the founder of a digital start-up called Afterbook, which enables people to tell the life stories of and build a legacy to a loved one. When Jess was 19 her mum died of pancreatic cancer and the effect that the illness, her mother’s death and the ensuing grief would have on her, would colour and affect her life forever. Twenty-one years later Jess has spent countless hours researching the effects of grief and more importantly how to live well with it and to really celebrate and record life, both lost and very much being lived. @Afterbooklegacy

Laura Banks

Lawyer, Mum, Social Justice Advocate

Laura is an inspirational young lawyer with Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors whose determination to take on the UK government in a legal challenge for bereaved children (the Siobhan McLaughlin case) led to victory before the Supreme Court, benefitting thousands of children across the UK. Laura had the imagination to look at this injustice and find a way to challenge it when everyone around her said it wasn’t possible. Laura was listed as Times Lawyer of the Week and is Belfast Business Awards Employee of the Year. Laura has been referred to as Northern Ireland’s answer to Erin Brokovich! @laurabanks8

Nichola Corner

Spiritualist, Courageous and Loyal

Nichola is an experienced Spiritual teacher. She was awarded Platform Accreditation in 2010 by the Spiritualists’ Nationalist Union for speaking and demonstrating and is the Secretary of Belfast Spiritualists’ Church. As a dedicated Secondary School Teacher, Nichola also holds a Master’s Degree in Special Needs Education and Inclusion and is passionate about promoting her family’s motto “People are People” within all aspects of her public and private life. Nichola runs regular Spiritual development classes with the aim of assisting others from all walks of life to gain a closer relationship with themselves as Spiritual beings. Since the untimely death of her sister, Nichola has devoted herself to carrying on the mission of “changing the world, one piece at a time” that her sister left behind.

Orla McKeating

Entrepreneur, Podcaster, Collaborator

Queens University graduate, founder of Boden Park Coffee Company and DEEP SH!T podcaster, Orla McKeating raises the volume on issues typically associated with stigma through authentic conversations. She is passionate about equality and maintains an outstanding commitment to learning and sharing time, knowledge and experience to those around her. She founded the Lean In Women In Coffee Circle and was featured in the Northern Ireland 40 Under 40 List 2018. Orla was recognised on the f:Entrepreneur UK Top 100 List 2019. Orla is a single parent to her son Elliot and lives in Belfast. @orla_mckeating

Saul Betmead

Creative strategist. Part-time behavioural scientist. Test & learner

Award winning Chief Strategy Officer of VMLY&R EMEA, former Captain of North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club, NSW State Champion (which he admits is a little strange for an Englishman) and trustee of the Contact The Elderly charity. With a degree in Psychology, complemented later at Oxford with a focus on Innovation Strategy, Saul has developed a deep interest and expertise in behavioural science, branding and the art of persuasion. Based in Paris and having spent almost half his life living abroad, he has remained deeply curious about the world and people around him. The bane of his life? Procrastination. @saulbetmead

Siobhan O'Neill

Scientist, Mental Health Advocate and Mother

A Professor of Mental Health Sciences at Ulster University, Siobhan coordinated the largest ever studies of mental health and suicide in Northern Ireland, highlighting the associations with the Troubles. Siobhan is now on a mission to promote evidence-based care for individuals, families and communities who suffer from the effects of mental illness. Her current research focuses on the impact of conflict on the next generation, including mental health and suicide prevention in schools and colleges, childhood adversities, and trauma informed practice. A single mum by choice, Siobhan still lives in her hometown of Derry with her two-year old daughter. @profsiobhanon

Stephen Lusty

Technologist, Entrepreneur, Samaritan

Following a career as a Senior Executive with Nortel, Flextronics and Google, Stephen now spends his time as Founder/Investor in a wide range of technology-based businesses. His current, commercial interest is in the application of Artificial Intelligence and data driven decision making to enable better procurement practices. Stephen is also a Samaritan and is passionate about suicide prevention and the promotion of mental wellness in the workplace. To this end, he has developed and promotes a "Mental Wellness Tool kit" for Engineers and Scientists. @stephenlusty

Tegan Nesbitt

Student, political activist and Talk like TED winner

Tegan Nesbitt, student from Derry, asked this question 2 years ago when she was facing her biggest fear to date. Her anxiety related condition: Trichotillomania. Tegan will talk about her journey and how the once timid and nervy 15 year old girl bloomed into the young political activist she is today. @NesbittTegan

Tim Brundle

Director of Research, Investor in Technologies

Timothy Brundle is Director of Research & Impact at Ulster University. Timothy directs Ulster’s research strategy, governance and administration, and guides its commercial output through knowledge transfer and intellectual property commercialisation. He also holds the position of CEO of Innovation Ulster Ltd, Ulster University’s award-winning venturing and investment company. He is an experienced and skilled member of the Board of both young companies and mature public Institutions, including serving as a Director of many of Ulster’s spin out companies, Invest NI and the Knowledge Transfer Network, and is currently Chair of Young Enterprise NI and trustee of Blick Shared Studios. @TimTendo

Una Jennings

Copper, mummy and multitasker

Una has been a serving police officer for 17 years, starting her career in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and currently serving in South Yorkshire. She is one of two PIP 4 qualified senior investigating officers in South Yorkshire Police, a role held by a small cadre of officers nationally, for use in serial, serious and complex homicides. She has just recently been promoted to Chief Superintendent as District Commander in Rotherham. Graduate of the Queen’s University Belfast and Cambridge University, Una has a strong academic background and interest in evidence based policy and practice. She is mother to a delightful 15-year-old daughter and her partner is a serving police officer. @UBJennings