Theme: UNCERTAINTY

We experience it in many different moments, in various conditions, on a daily basis but mainly when we are called upon to make decisions. It is more than often part and parcel of the lack of our ability to predict future developments. It is created in the absence of real information or when we have to deal with a novel situation. It is key to many of the complexities we experience in our modern world. Its management lies at the heart of our successes. Its presence is the reason behind some of our greatest challenges.

Uncertainty is everywhere around us. We encounter it in our professional and social life. We come across it in every field and activity that requires us to make a value judgement that will lead to some decision which will then require that we make a choice.

Uncertainty affects individuals and societies alike. Its perceived increase in the face of current global challenges affects our ability to find and apply solutions that work.

TEDxPatras 2019 invites speakers to share their own unique stories regarding decision making processes in the face of uncertainty, the grit we need to employ and display, the challenges we embrace and the way to envision our future.

This not only about success stories and accomplishments but how our heart, mind and character can be shaped and geared towards correct decision making. They will show us the way via which to continue, to overcome the barriers created by uncertainty, the way to move forward.

Only by remaining open-minded to new experiences, knowledge and facts can we become wiser and more courageous. In a world where uncertainty is daunting us more than ever before, maybe the only solution is to comprehend the mechanics behind the fast paced changing world we live in, to gain certainty so as to safely face the challenges and uncharted waters that lie ahead.

Conference Center
University of Patras
University of Patras
Patras, Achaïa, 26504
Greece

Alex Flynn

Alex Flynn was born on January 14, 1972 in England. He is a writer and producer, known for “Living with Parkinson’s”. He has been married to Aurelie Flynn since August 12, 2006. They have three children. In 2008, at the age of 36, Alex was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. His diagnosis became the catalyst in his life for showing people the possibility of creating positive change in the face of adversity. Since then, he decided to raise funds for and awareness of Parkinson’s disease. Alex can be found doing some of the more complex, unexpected and surprising challenges across the planet to raise awareness- as well as, hopefully, more than £1 million towards vital research to find a cure for the disease. To quote Sir Ranulph Fiennes, OBE, “Rarely does one hear about such an inspirational and heroic Briton as Alex Flynn. The challenges he has successfully undertaken would be considered seriously hard by anyone’s standards and are, in my view, independently worthy of recognition.”

Anastasios Stalikas

Anastassios Stalikas is a Psychology professor at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, an adjunct professor at McGill University, and a visiting professor and research associate at several universities, such as the National and Kapodistriako University of Athens, the University of Thessaly, the University of Cyprus and the Sigmund Freud University in Vienna. He is the current President of the Hellenic Society of Positive Psychology, business consultant, trainer, coach, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. His research interests spring from the fields of Clinical and Counseling Psychology and his research initiatives aim in understanding the manner in which people “flourish” psychologically by implementing their character strengths, experiencing positive emotions, finding meaning in their lives, and by developing their psychological resilience. He is the author of 10 scientific books, more than 60 chapters in scientific books, and 200 articles in scientific journals and conference presentations at the international scientific community.

Astyanax Kanakakis

Astyanax Kanakakis is the CEO and co-founder of norbloc, a leading company in regulatory applications using blockchain technology. He has spent more than 12 years in Finance and Consulting, most recently as Associate Partner in McKinsey & Company, specializing in banking and corporate finance. He was previously Chief Commercial Officer in KnCGroup, the bitcoin blockchain pioneer, and Chairman of the Board in XBT Provider, the global leader in cryptocurrency ETNs.Astyanax holds a BSc. In Computer Science and Electronic Engineering from University College London, an MSc in Advanced Computing from Imperial College, an MSc in Information Systems Management from London School of Economics and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Carte Postale

After a 2-year break, Carte Postale are back with new sound, new members, new language and very soon new tracks – and they are back on the stage of TEDxPatras 2019 for us to enjoy. New folk-rock tunes based on cinematic motifs, rhythmic outbursts, french waltzes and nostalgic moods, all combining to form what they call “retro pop”, will fill the University of Patras Convention Center on the day of the TEDx event. Carte Postale’s ensemble consists of piano, accordion, trumpet, bass, drums, ukulele and English nostalgic lyrics. Their first album was recorded in Patras and was released in April 2014 by the independent label The Sound of Everything. In the fall of 2014 they won the Jumping Fish Contest with the song “Rio”, after a public vote.Carte Postale consists of: Despina Gotsopoulou (vocals, guitar), Anthony Spathis (guitar, piano, ukulele, piano children), Konstantinos Spiliotopoulos (bass), Kostas Nikolopoulos (accordion), Jason Vakrinos (trumpet), George Nikolopoulos (drums).

Christina Psarra

Christina Psarra is a humanitarian worker and researcher. Currently, she is based in the Operational Center of Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) in Brussels. Christina has led diverse humanitarian operations in emergency and post-crisis settings in South and East Africa in Uganda, Malawi, Mozambique as well as in other places such as in Egypt, Ukraine and elsewhere. During 2015-2016, she coordinated search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea. Christina has also worked extensively in urban settings. In Marseille, she coordinated a nationwide experimental research project on different types of housing to homeless people with severe mental disorders, in Greece she designed and managed social and health care programs for vulnerable populations and was a co-initiator of the “Refugees Welcome – Greece” project. Her research interests are always associated to the improvement of humanitarian systems and access to health care. Christina has worked at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, one of the top ten think tanks worldwide and frequently participates in international advocacy networks. She studied Philosophy at the University of Athens and Social Policy in Panteion. She has a Master of Science in NGOs and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences and has attended with a scholarship the Harvard Kennedy School's executive program on Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs. She is a Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence Alumna and in 2016 she fulfilled a Fulbright Research Fellowship in the University of Maryland.

Hilda Papadimitriou

Hilda Papadimitriou studied Law, but never actually exercised any related profession. She was running a record shop in Nea Smyrni Square for twenty years. Since 1994 she has been working as a translator (John Barth, Percival Everett, Jonathan Coe, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Minette Walters, Dave Eggers, Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, Ross McDonald, Joyce Carol Oates, etc.). She also writes (two monographs for the Beatles and the Clash, Attempt editions and three police novels, Metachim editions). Furthermore, she works at the online magazine for the book www.bookpress.gr and the music portal www.mic.gr. She is particularly interested in translation of crime literature and books about the birth and evolution of rock ‘n’ roll, the ’60s counterculture and the relationship between politics and art.

Irene Skylakaki

Irene has been described as a rising star in the alternative pop stage and has already collaborated with notable performers. After finishing her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at SOAS University, Law School of London, she decided to follow a career in music, as she realized that she was not able to imagine her life without music. In her case, success seemed to be a matter of time. In 2012, at the age of 22, she released her first album “Wrong Direction”, which features the song “In the Light” included in Christopher Papakaliatis’ film “An”. Subsequently, her next two albums were released, “Before Dawn” in 2014 and “Matterless” by Danton Supple (Coldplay, U2, Morrissey, Suede) in 2018. She has also appeared in major festivals and concert venues in Greece, such as Release Festival, En Lefko Festival, Rockwave, alongside with international artists such as Macy Gray, Jessie Ware, Beirut, Daughter, Cass McCombs, Toploader, Archive.

James Bridle

James Bridle is a writer and artist working across technologies and disciplines. Their artworks have been commissioned by galleries and institutions and exhibited worldwide and on the internet. Their writing on literature, culture and networks has appeared in magazines and newspapers including Wired, the Atlantic, New Statesman, the Guardian, and the Observer. “New Dark Age”, their book about technology, knowledge, and the end of the future, was published by Verso (UK & US) in 2018, and they wrote and presented “New Ways of Seeing” for BBC Radio 4 in 2019. Their work can be found at http://jamesbridle.com.

Maria Davou

Maria Davou is a school owner, teacher, teacher trainer and researcher. She has more than twenty-five years’ experience in teaching, teacher training and syllabus design in Greece, the UK and the US. She is a language school owner in Athens, promoting alternative and experiential models of teaching. She is an international trainer and academic consultant for publishing companies, private schools and Ministries of Education.

Murmur Workshop

With a total duration of one quarter, the performance has two parts. The first includes an interactive game with the audience. In the second the IN(FEAR)ITY takes place. Michalis Dritsas, Andromachi Martzakli, Eleni Maragou, Maro Ketsogian, Markos Ioannou, Vassiliki Papoutsis, George Papaconstantopoulos, Orestis Spyridakis, Fotini Papadimitriou (Actors), Giota Andreopoulou (Scriptwriter and Director), Michalis Dritsas, Giorgos Triantafillou (Composers), Giota Andreopoulou, Giorgos Triantafillou (Coaching), Giota Andreopoulou, Elena Katsina (Choreography), Artemis Pantedakis (Make-up), Olivia Anthopoulou (Photography).

Nikos Papadogiannis

Nikos Papadogiannis has been involved in journalism for 32 years. He is mainly interested in basketball-relative reportage, but he often blogs about travelling, political issues and music. He has traveled to more than 60 countries for work or leisure. His first book, “Nick is Missing”, which is about his travels, was released in 2018 by “Key Books”. He collaborates with the website http://www.gazzetta.gr and the Documento newspaper. Born in 1966, he studied Classical Philology, without ever becoming a philologist. He lives in Athens and you’ll probably meet him at Bruce Springsteen concerts.

Othon Anastasakis

Othon Anastasakis is the Director of South East European Studies at Oxford (SEESOX); Senior Research Fellow at St Antony’s College; former Director of the European Studies Centre, St Antony’s College, Oxford; associate at the Department of Politics and International Relations. He teaches “South East European politics and European integration” and “EU politics” in Oxford. He is the Principal Investigator of the Greek Diaspora Project at SEESOX. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. He is the Region Head of Europe in Oxford Analytica. He received his BA in Economics from the University of Athens, his MA in Comparative Politics and International Relations from Columbia University, New York and his PhD in Comparative Government from the London School of Economics. His most recent books include Balkan legacies of the Great War: The past is never dead (with David Madden and Elizabeth Roberts, Palgrave Macmillan, 2016); Defining a new reform agenda; Paths to sustainable convergence in South East Europe (with Peter Sanfey and Max Watson, SEESOX 2013); Reforming Greece: Sisyphean Task or Herculean Challenge? (with Dorian Singh, SEESOX 2012); In the Shadow of Europe: Greeks and Turks in the era of post-nationalism (with Kalypso Nicolaidis and Kerem Oktem, Brill, 2009); Greece in the Balkans: Memory, conflict and exchange (with Dimitar Bechev and Nicholas Vrousalis, Cambridge Scholars Press, 2009). His current research interests include: Populism, illiberalism and Euroscepticism; Greek Diaspora; South East Europe and geopolitical challenges; Greek and Turkish foreign policies; Russia and the Balkans; Western Balkan party politics.

Peter Sage

Peter Sage is a well known international serial entrepreneur, author, philosopher, personal growth expert, and teacher. His unique way of looking at and relating to life has inspired millions of people worldwide to reinvent themselves. Whether by improving or turning around a business or developing a new and empowering psychology through practical yet profound shifts in awareness, Peter hopes his insights and teachings can offer something of value to those who seek it. To find out more about Peter, visit his website http://www.petersage.com and subscribe to his YouTube channel at http://www.YouTube.com/petersage007

Rosa Doran

Rosa Doran holds a Bachelor in Physics, and aPhD on Science Education. Since 1992 she has been devoting her activities to science outreach and education. She is co-founder of NUCLIO – Núcleo Interativo de Astronomia, a non-profit and NGO for development in Portugal (http://nuclio.org) . She is currently the president of the executive council and projects coordinator. Currently, she is involved in numerous projects, such as Galileo Teacher Training Program (www.galileoteachers.org), the Portuguese Language Office of Astronomy for Development and Panel of education for COSPAR. She has also participated in designing and implementing various projects financed by the European Union (Open Discovery Space, Inspiring Science Education. Go-lab, European Hands-on Universe, EDMUSE, Digital Schools of Europe, PLATON, Space Awareness, Stories of Tomorrow, Next-Lab, OSOS, Our Space our Future, Frontiers, Islands Diversity for Science Education, Polar Star, InSteam, Raising Awareness for Natural Disasters, Global Science Opera for Schools, Reflecting for Change), as well as international projects (Dark Skies Rangers, International Astronomical Search Collaboration, Global Hands-on Universe, Science on Stage).

Sophie Nivelle-Cardinale

Sophie Nivelle-Cardinale, 41, is a French war reporter. She has been working in the Middle East since 2010. Starting in 2011, she reported from inside Syria on the uprising and the repression of the regime. Her work was awarded with the Bayeux Award for War Correspondents (2013) and the Prix Albert Londres (2016) – the most important award of journalism in France. In June 2017, she was the first foreign journalist to film inside Raqqa with the Kurdish forces, which were fighting Islamic State. Her work focuses on the Middle East and conflicts. In 2017, she also reported from Central Africa on the civil war and from Zimbabwe on the end of the Mugabe era.

Stella Kasdagli

Stella Kasdagli is a writer, translator, adolescent and adult educator and co-founder of “Women On Top”. She studied French Literature in Athens and Media Theory in London and worked for several years as editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine, collaborating with other Greek and English-language publications and sites. She now plans and implements actions for women’s professional empowerment and equality in the labor market, writes about topics she would like to discuss more, translates foreign literature and coordinates adolescent workshops on body image, social activation, and creative use of digital media. She is also co-founder of the Mentorkids Network and the online book club Reading Bookworm. Her books are released by Patakis Publications. She has two daughters and she raises her in Athens.

Triantafyllos Kotopoulos

Associate Professor in Creative Writing and Greek Literature at the University og Western Macedonia

Kotopoulos H. Triantafyllos is Associate Professor of “Creative Writing and Modern Greek Literature”, Director and Scientific Supervisor of the Joint Postgraduate Studies “Creative Writing” (Post Graduate Diploma) Curriculum “Creative Writing” (EAP – PDM) – the latter by the method of Open and Distance Education. He is a graduate and Doctor of Modern Greek Philology at the University of Ioannina. His writing and research interests concern the study and teaching of Creative Writing, Modern Greek Literature and Theory of Literature. He has published eight scientific texts. More than one hundred of his articles have been included in collective volumes, Greek and foreign scientific journals and international conference proceedings. He has organized four international “Creative Writing” conferences, edited books and collective volumes and participated in various research programs. He is in charge of the publication of the online magazine “LEXItanil”.