Theme: Uncharted Waters

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Reynolds Auditorium
Science Drive
Durham, North Carolina, 27708
United States

Alex Dehgan

Conservation Entrepreneur

Alex is the co-founder of a startup, Conservation X Labs, focused on harnessing exponential technologies, open innovation, and entrepreneurship for conservation. Dr. Dehgan recently founded Afghanistan’s first national park and is conducting the nation's first biological survey in 30 years.

Beepul Bharti

Undergraduate

Beepul is a first-year student at Duke planning to double major in Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics. Beepul loves running, and can run a mile faster than you can cook a pack of ramen. Beepul became interested in the wonders of space because of his high school physics teacher.

Brandon Dawson

Undergraduate

Brandon Dawson is a first year at Duke hoping to major in Public Policy Studies with a minor in Environmental Science. On campus, Brandon is involved with Duke Student Government and theater. Off campus, Brandon is a Guardian ad Litem with the Durham County Court System and a member of the Durham Beekeepers Association.

Brigit Carter

Nursing Educator

Dr. Carter is the Director for the Accelerated Bachelors of Science in the Nursing program. Her clinical research focuses on nursing care of premature infants and methods for early detection of feeding intolerance. Her educational research focuses on diversity and inclusivity of the nursing workforce.

Dirk Philipsen

Economic Historian

Dirk is an Associate Research Professor of Economic History at the Sanford School. His work is focused on sustainability, economic performance indicators, and the history of capitalism. He also explores what a wellbeing economy could look like. His musings on the wellbeing economy are published in the book "The Little Big Number."

Felipe De Brigard

Imagination Researcher

Felipe is an assistant professor in philosophy and cognitive neuroscience. Before coming to Duke, he was a post-doctoral researcher at the Center for Brain Science at Harvard. He currently directs the Imagination and Modal Cognition lab, conducting research on memory, imagination and counterfactual thinking.

Ingrid Daubechies

Applied Mathematician

Best known for her breakthroughs in wavelet research and contnributions to digital signal processing, Daubechies has had a career of impressive firsts, like first female full prof. at Princeton and first female president of the International Mathematical Union. She strives to expand the impact of math research outside the discipline.

Morgan Irons

Undergraduate

A senior at Duke, Morgan is inspired by her passions for space and biology. Based on her research on plant growth in simulated Mars environments, Morgan founded a company, Deep Space Ecology, to use her knowledge to address food insecurity and the potential for closed ecological systems for deep space travel.

Rick Larrick

Environmental Decision Making Researcher

Rick is a Professor of Business Administration at the Duke Fuqua School of Business. As Director of the Center for Energy, Development and the Global Environment, Rick has devoted his research efforts to individual and group environmental decision making.

Saba Taj

Art Activist

Saba is a queer Muslim artist and activist based in Durham. Her work explores hybrid identity, inherited trauma and revolution through radical imaginings. Taj is a founding member of the Durham Artists Movement, an arts collective that promotes the voices and leadership of marginalized individuals.

Savitha Sridharan

Social Impact Innovator

Savitha is the founder and CEO of Orora Global, a for-profit social enterprise that provides rural and urban communities globally with access to reliable renewable energy. Her passion for her work comes from the intersection of her engineering background and her commitment to women’s rights.