Theme: Thinking Through Making

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).

The Gallery, The Catalyst
Leek Road
Stoke-on-Trent, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2 DF
United Kingdom

Associate Professor Anna Francis

Associate Professor Fine Art and Social Practice/Artist

Anna is an artist and director of community-led organisation The Portland Inn Project. We’ve proposed a disused pub as a community space and social enterprise, testing the role of culture and creativity in community development settings. The project has received national recognition, via shortlisting for the RIBA Macewen Award, and we were one of the winners of the Whitegold International Ceramics Prize 2020. During 2021 and 2022, we’ve been working alongside residents to write a 100-year plan. Across arts and community sectors, the way that activity and development is funded is often in short-term, project-based works. It is widely acknowledged this can lead to a lack of opportunity to plan long-term, and often results in a lack of resource and opportunity to make lasting change. For a community to embark on putting together a 100-year plan, each smaller, short-term project can be viewed as part of a wider landscape plan.”

Clare Wood

Chief Executive & Artistic Director

Clare Wood is Artistic Director & Chief Executive of the British Ceramics Biennial, leading the BCB team in supporting and expanding opportunities for contemporary artists working in clay. Prior to this, Clare led Re-Form Heritage, a national charity supporting communities through the regeneration of their historic buildings. Based at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, Clare worked closely with historic ceramic manufacturer Burleigh, oversaw the campaign to reinstate bell founding to Whitechapel Bell Foundry and was instrumental in regenerating a derelict terrace of former pottery workers’ houses to create new community and creative business facilities. Clare worked on the major redevelopment of MK Gallery that doubled the gallery spaces and transformed the venue’s exhibition programme and accessibility.

Darren Murinas

Chief Executive Officer

Darren Murinas is Chief Executive of Expert Citizens CIC. He is also a trustee of the Lankelly Chase Foundation and sounddelivery media. Darren is Chair of the Changing Futures project board for Stoke-on-Trent. He has worked nationally with organisations like MEAM, Homeless Link, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Virgin Money Foundation, The Centre for Knowledge and Equity, and many more. Darren has worked with others to bring in over £20m of investment for people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage in Stoke-on-Trent. He has contributed as a speaker at high-profile conferences, using his own experience of severe and multiple disadvantage to challenge stereotypes and the traditional narrative. Most recently he spoke at the Anthropy 2022 conference that took place at the Eden Project in Cornwall. Darren and Expert Citizens aim to dispel the myth that people experiencing some of the toughest social issues of our time are making a ‘lifestyle choice’.

Gemma-Louise Walsh

Freelance Journalist, Writer, And Creative Practitioner

I am a journalist, fiction writer, and creative practitioner, born and raised in the cultural heart of Stoke-on-Trent, where my working class background provides me strong grounding for making writing down-to-earth and accessible to all who weren't necessarily raised feeling they had the luxury of being creative. I am a two time graduate of Staffordshire University with a BA(Hons) and NCTJ accreditation in Journalism as well as an MA in Creative Practise: Writing. I have been writing and storytelling since the age of 6 and have always inspired to help other do the same. Since the pandemic I have established a specialism in my imposter syndrome workshops which provide active advise and support to all creative practises, as well as mentoring to students and established creatives. I have several published children's books out in the world under various pseudonyms and have just completed my drafts of my first seven book series for adults which will be published in 2023.

George Bettany

Founder

Born and raised in Staffordshire. My family are from Rocester, Staffordshire, home to JCB, and I grew up playing football at Derby County FC which was my life from the age of 13-19. From there I went to Uni and started my entrepreneurial journey, starting a number of 'businesses' and eventually dropping out to run one company after raising investment.

Josie Morris MBE

Managing Director

Josie is a Managing Director at Woolcool, a second generation, family business founded in 2009. Designing and manufacturing in the UK, we are leading innovators in the sector, producing insulated packaging using sheep wool, providing a sustainable alternative to polystyrene. We have recently diversified our product range into horticulture, with other exciting avenues to explore in the coming months and years. Woolcool achieved B Corp certification in 2020, promoting business as a force for good. I’m a massive advocate for creativity, diversity and the development of strong cultures within businesses and championing environmental responsibility and awareness.

Keith Brymer Jones

Potter - Company Director

Keith is a potter and TV presenter. Discovering clay was like an epiphany, an instant connection with this natural material that humankind has been using for thousands of years. I’ve been making for over 40 years. Sitting at my wheel and throwing pots. I would go as far as to say my brain has been trained to literally think the moment I sit down to make – in my case, throw. The cognitive experience has not only enabled me to know the material well, but it has also shown me how to overcome problems within the making process. This ‘grown development’ has then transcended into many other areas of my life.”

Professor Raheel Nawaz

Pro Vice Chancellor

Raheel is a Staffordshire University Pro Vice-Chancellor, AI researcher and degree apprenticeships expert. My talk will explore why being a giver is the most selfish yet the most altruistic strategy. Why should you choose to be a giver? Giving isn’t simply altruistic – it can also be a selfish act, and a way to materialise our immense potential. Growth Mindset is a systematic approach to understand this; Atomic Habits is a methodology to implement this, and Grit is the differentiator. “The only person you are destined to be is the person you decide to be”. This talk will explore how personal growth through giving (and in turn, happiness), is systematically achievable. We often have more influence than we realise and underestimate the impact we have on others. In every interaction, we choose to give, take, or be indifferent.

Sophie Jackman

Student

"I'm an 18 year old first year student studying animation at Staffordshire university. I have always loved stories and animation in all its forms (but I like working in stopmotion and 2D). Stories are a way to express yourself, communicate and share our experiences, it's a way to celebrate our difference and make connections with other people and I want to be a part of it. Also animation is beautiful :) My favourite film is How to Train Your Dragon! But I also love The Owl House, Tangled (and Tangled the series!), Treasure Planet, Star Wars and Kubo and the Two Strings!"