For the nearly 20 million Americans with a felony record, punishment doesn't end after their prison sentence. Sociologist Reuben Jonathan Miller sheds light on the aftershocks of mass incarceration through the stories of people who've lived it, left it and still have to grapple with punishing policies after their release. A challenge to rethink ...

UPS's advanced analytics manager Mallory Freeman researches how to do the most good with data.

Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths every year than any other animal, but very few of the 3,500 mosquito species actually transmit deadly diseases to humans. Scientists have been conducting experiments using engineered technologies called gene drives that could theoretically get rid of the most lethal mosquitoes. So, should we eradi...

With a team of engineers, Paul Moller works on the Skycar, a combination car and jet, as well as the M200, a saucer-shaped hovering car. He also develops next-generation engines to power these and other amazing vehicles.

What shape are your cells? Squishy cylinders? Jagged zig-zags? You might not spend a lot of time thinking about the bodies of these building blocks, but microscopically, small variations can have huge consequences. And while some adaptations change these shapes for the better, others can spark debilitating complications. Amber M. Yates dives int...

As the CEO of Public Radio International, Alisa Miller works to bring the most significant news stories to millions -- empowering Americans with the knowledge to make choices in an interconnected world.

Science historian Sonia Shah explores the surprisingly fascinating story behind an ancient scourge: malaria.

The first TED was held in 1984. What kind of predictions did people make 30 years ago? (And did they turn out to be right?) Watch the world change over three decades in this nearly year-by-year playlist.

An exploration of what we can do to save the world with the massive amounts of data collected every day.

Pianist ELEW and saxophonist Marcus Miller perform an ensnaring three-part set informed by their love of science, masterfully blending rock and jazz improv techniques. (Listen closely and you may also hear a take on Roger and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things.")

Using empathy and a clear-eyed view of mortality, BJ Miller shines a light on health care's most ignored facet: preparing for death.

Pardis Sabeti investigates the genomes of microbes, like Ebola and coronavirus, to understand how to slow them.

Bart Knols is a doctor committed to killing mosquitoes and ending malaria.

BCG's Johanna Benesty is a managing director and partner in the firm's Paris office.

An exploration of what makes life worth living in the face of death — and how to move forward with grief and loss.

There is much to learn in death as there is in life. An intimate look at the wisdom that is forged from deep loss.

It's easy to get caught up in the daily dramas of life. These talks can help you step back, slow down and appreciate the bigger picture.

Great, practical advice on ways to responsibly invest (time, money, and even your company's data) for the good of our global society.

Mind-blowing tech is right around the corner -- and the data to power it is here and now. Get an awe-inspiring look at the future that awaits with visionaries already predicting, embracing and innovating on the potential of tomorrow.

These action-oriented, forward-thinking talks offer a vision of the world where everyone has access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food — especially those who need it most.

Joe DeRisi hunts for the genes that make us sick. At his lab, he works to understand the genome of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest form of malaria.

Reuben Jonathan Miller is a sociologist, criminologist and social worker whose work centers on race, democracy and the social life of the city.

In a world filled with sound bites and paparazzi-snapped photos, there are still storytellers determined to create media with meaning. From feature films to citizen journalism, their work is worth spreading.

Pearl Arredondo worked her way up from humble East L.A. beginnings, and as a high school teacher she now inspires other kids to do the same. Here are the talks that she thinks capture that spirit of drive and determination.

A powerhouse of scientific leadership in Africa, Christian Happi sequences and studies the genomes of infectious diseases like Ebola, HIV and coronavirus.

Results from clinical trials released yesterday show that a new malaria vaccine has been able to reduce malaria by 58 percent in 6,000 infected sub-Saharan African children aged five to 17 months. These results are the newest development in the effort toward the world's first effective vaccine against malaria. The trials are the result of a ...

Marc Koska wants to improve health care in the developing world by re-designing dangerous medical tools -- and offering education to practitioners in under-funded clinics.

Death is a topic that is relevant to us all, and yet it simply isn’t pleasant to talk about. These speakers offer subtle reframes to help us face this fact of life more thoughtfully and with greater compassion.

Everyone faces rejection, sometimes on repeat. These speakers experienced a barrage of ‘no’s, but were able to push past the disappointment and keep on going. May their resilience inspire you.

Ernest Madu founded the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, a revolutionary clinic for cardiovascular diseases in Kingston, Jamaica -- revolutionary for offering first-class health care in a developing nation. His next stop: Nigeria.