Theme: Connection

TEDxUniversityofBristol is an event where like-minded students can discover ideas they truly care about straight from the voices of the most influential individuals in our community. We aim to provide the opportunity to engage with the biggest of ideas and themes, following the footsteps of TED in encouraging discussions regarding the various topics that define our modern world - ranging from complex scientific concepts to addressing political issues in an agenda-free manner. This academic year, we're diving deep into the theme of "Connection". It is not just a word, but an unforgettable journey exploring the threads that tie us to technology, romance, humanity, and the cosmos, among others. Join us in unraveling the fabric of spiritual, cultural, and interpersonal bonds.

Dareshack
Vintry Building, Wine St
Bristol, Bristol, City of, BS1 2BD
United Kingdom

Aneena Elza Binod

Student

Aneena Elza Binod is a management student who works in the creator economy. She’s a storyteller, spoken word poet and digital marketer. She’s the top 1% on LinkedIn SSI in the ‘Writing and Editing’ industry. In 2019, she became a Gold Award Finalist in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Contest.

Dr. Yvette Pyne

Academic GP

At the age of 34, with a one-year-old and a three-year-old at home, Dr. Yvette Pyne quit her career in computing and went to medical school to retrain as a doctor. People called her 'brave' but she wondered if the word they meant was 'reckless'. Fifteen years later, and as a qualified GP, she has also managed to weave in a series of research fellowships to enable her to pursue a joint clinical and academic career. Her intersectional and inclusive feminism drives her special interests in women's and trans health and she is currently focused on perimenopause and how it might be diagnosed more effectively.

Fabio Davide

Technical Director

Fabio Davide is a dedicated Technical Director at the Multiplayer Group (MPG), focusing on supporting the creation of AAA multiplayer games for some of the top companies in the gaming industry. Aside from gaming, Fabio’s interests and skill set include VR/AR development, AI, and infrastructure at scale, all honed while working for companies such as Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and Sega. In his spare time, Fabio is a passionate leadership coach, supporting managers and leaders struggling with the challenges of technology organizations. He is also a mental health advocate.

James Vincent

Associate Lecturer

James Vincent is an Associate Lecturer and the co-owner of the award-winning marketing agency, Hot Source. His dual role combines extensive industry experience with academic prowess, as he imparts knowledge at Bath Spa University and the University of Gloucestershire. James Vincent’s notable contributions to marketing span both the professional and academic spheres, highlighting his dedication to excellence and innovation.

Jennifer Dumle Daniel

PhD Candidate

Jennifer is a PhD candidate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Bristol. She is dedicated to understanding the factors that contribute to the success of women in technology entrepreneurship, with the ultimate goal of shaping better policies and practices for the transformation of developing economies.

Nigel Toon

Entrepreneur

Nigel Toon is a leading AI entrepreneur, the founder and CEO of Graphcore.ai. He sits as a Non-Executive Director on the board of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and preciously sat on the UK Prime Minister’s Business Council. He has been recognised with numerous industry awards, including being ranked #1 on Business Insider’s UK Tech 100 and named as one of the ‘Top 100 entrepreneurs in the UK’ by the Financial Times. He holds a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Bristol and is the author of “How AI Thinks”.

Oliver Bonallack

Student

Oliver Bonallack is a politics student currently exploring pragmatic change-making and ethics within the venture capital arena. Having founded Collective VC, he is interested in community knowledge building around impact investment, and alternative investment models that leverage human connection for societal progress. He is enthusiastic about unlocking stagnant wealth, maximising impact additionality, and decoupling financial compensation from societal harm.

Richard Newman

Author and Keynote Speaker

Richard Newman is a communication coach, an award-winning speechwriter, and author of the books ‘You Were Born To Speak’ and ‘Lift Your Impact’. He is the Founder of UK Body Talk, coaching clients worldwide to enhance their business storytelling and personal impact.