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).

University Union Ballroom
1155 Union Circle
Denton, Texas, 76203
United States

Andrew Colombo-Dougovito

Dr. Andrew Colombo-Dougovito is an assistant professor of sport pedagogy and motor behavior in UNT’s Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation, where he also serves as the director of the physical activity and motor skills program and as head of the Disability and Movement Research Collective. His research praxis focuses on understanding the social, environmental and political influences to physical activity and sport engagement for disabled individuals across their lifespan. Through a radical pragmatic lens, he uses expertise in mixed methodology to employ both qualitative and quantitative methods in pursuit of justice-oriented strategies and policies that reduce systemic barriers and ensure equal opportunities are provided. In 2019, Dr. Colombo-Dougovito was awarded the Elly D. Friedmann Young Professional Award from the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity, and in 2021, he received the Dr. Doris R. Corbett Johnson Leaders for Our Future Award from SHAPE America. He was inducted as a fellow of the Research Council of SHAPE America that same year. This August, his first co-edited book volume, Not Playing Around: Intersectional Identities, Media Representation, and the Power of Sport, was published by Lexington Books. When not at work, Dr. Colombo-Dougovito spends time outdoors — hiking, biking and climbing — with his partner Daniella, and their puppy Artemis.

Angel Durr

Dr. Angel Durr earned her Ph.D. in information systems from UNT in 2018. Dr. Durr is a mother of one and the owner of DataReady DFW, a nonprofit organization focused on using strategic data, Artificially Intelligence (AI) and RPA tech to serve the needs of marginalized populations. Angel serves as the senior manager of IAS for Smartbridge. Dr. Durr is a disabled first-generation college student and an Afro-Latina. No stranger to hard work, she has raised most of her siblings while earning her advanced education due to her mother’s frequent incarcerations and subsequent murder.

Jameelah Ra’oof

Dr. Jameelah Ra’oof, a senior instructional technologist at UNT and a learning experience designer and ed-tech consultant for several Fortune 500 corporations, is an accomplished academic, researcher and sociologist. She is passionate about teaching and learning with technology and how Artificially Intelligent (AI) devices impact our environments, especially as it relates to both social and emotional themes. Dr. Ra’oof develops teaching and learning strategies that leverage adult learning methodologies and future-focused technical design. Throughout her 15-year higher education career, Dr. Ra’oof has specialized in student-centered educational technologies, curriculum design, assessment development and edtech implementation. Dr. Ra’oof also teaches computer science and sociology. Dr. Ra’oof is a natural born motivator, whether it is through her books, on social media or in the classroom. Her topics of expertise include the social construct of technology, educational technologies, data science and STS (science, technology and society). Dr. Ra’oof earned her master’s degree in applied sociology from UT Dallas and her Ph.D. in sociology (science, technology and society) at UNT.

James Thurman

Dr. James Thurman, an associate professor of metalsmithing and jewelry in UNT’s Department of Studio Art, has been a highly active studio artist for over 25 years and is well-known for Thurmanite, a recycled paper and bio-resin composite material that he developed and trademarked. The major goal of his research and artworks is to foster creative problem-solving in everyone’s daily lives with an emphasis on environmental impact and improvement. A two-time Fulbright Specialist Scholar, he regularly exhibits and lectures internationally to further advance his research agenda. Dr. Thurman believes each of his artworks becomes a distillation of playful problem-solving, encouraging and inspiring others to open themselves to the joys of passionate creativity.

Jordan Thurston

Shying away from the phrase “this is the way it’s always been done,” Jordan Thurston is no stranger to driving efficiencies in his job and everyday life through continuous process improvement. Working fulltime since 10th grade, Jordan has worked across multiple industries, including retail and financial, honing his craft of improving processes and organizations globally. His passion for thinking outside the box and a weird obsession with improving things has led him to create “The Dragonfly Construct,” which compares the lifecycle of a dragonfly to an individual’s first six months in a new role and how to challenge the status quo and create a new format for strategic management and process improvement. As the global head of production operations governance for one of the largest financial institutions in the world, Jordan helps streamline governance operations with a proactive approach. Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree from UNT in organizational behavior and human resource management, an M.B.A. from Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, and is a current doctoral student at the Swiss School of Business and Management.

Kamesh Namuduri

Dr. Kamesh Namuduri is a professor of electrical engineering and the director of UNT’s Autonomous Systems Laboratory. During the past 11 years, Dr. Namuduri’s research has focused on aerial networking and communications. He is a co-editor for the book titled UAV Networks and Communications, which was published by the Cambridge University Press in 2017. He is leading the Smart and Connected Community project on “Deployable Communication Systems” in collaboration with the government, public and private organizations. This living laboratory project was demonstrated thrice during the Global City Teams Challenge hosted jointly by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and US Ignite from 2015 to 2018. He contributed to the development of research agenda, requirements and blueprints highly deployable communications systems led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Public Safety Telecommunications Council. Dr. Namuduri earned his bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication engineering from Osmania University in India, his master’s degree in computer science from the University of Hyderabad, and Ph.D. degree in computer science and engineering from University of South Florida.

Okan Yaşarlar

Okan Yaşarlar is a composer from Istanbul. He has equal passion for acoustic and electroacoustic instruments, solo instruments, and chamber ensembles. He likes to combine multiple digital media (video, live signal processing, patching, and coding) in his works as much as he likes writing acoustic pieces, which have been performed by various ensembles. His works have premiered in various places throughout Europe. Okan fell into music through science rather than a conservatoire and is interested in researching VR and AR, physical modeling, data sonification, and instrument/user interface design in music composition. When he is not in a studio, he likes trekking, sailing, writing plays, drawing cartoons, and being offensively funny.

Scott Tixier

Scott Tixier is a five-time Grammy affiliated award-winning violinist who has performed around the world — from Carnegie Hall to the United States Capitol and Madison Square Garden — and has played with numerous artists, including Stevie Wonder and Elton John. Tixier, a 2018 Downbeat Critic Poll winner, is known for his work in the jazz world as well as motion picture scores, such as The Lion King, John Wick and Father of the Bride, and various TV shows, including The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. After studying classical violin at the conservatory in his native Paris, he traveled to New York to pursue his career. He joined UNT in 2018 as assistant professor of jazz violin and alternative styles.

Tania Heap

Dr. Tania Heap is the director of learning research and accessibility in the Center for Learning Experimentation, Application, and Research (CLEAR), Division of Digital Strategy and Innovation (DSI), and adjunct faculty in psychology at UNT. She has been involved in online and technology-enhanced learning initiatives in different capacities for over 15 years. Her background and interests are in practice-based research in educational technology, digital accessibility and universal design for learning, and scholarship of teaching and learning.