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).

Arendal kulturhus
Sam Eydes plass
Arendal, Aust-Agder, 4801
Norway

Ajla Gasal

Student

Ajla Gasal is an enthusiastic student working to enter academia and the future of physics. She is in her second year of high school specialising in science. She aims to help girls find their voice in STEM. Through her schooling and extracurriculars, she is dedicated and fully devoted to bringing attention to the socialisation and antagonising stigma we subject girls to that keeps STEM inaccessible.

Charles Burns

Silhouettist

Charles Burns is a silhouettist. Over the last twenty-five years he has cut over 200,000 silhouettes, including three portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He’s the author of "Mastering Silhouettes" and presenter of the TV documentary "Silhouette Secrets".

Chistina Bu

Head of “Norsk elbilforening” (the Norwegian EV Association)

Christina Bu, born 1980, is head of “Norsk elbilforening” (the Norwegian EV Association), a role she has had for eight years. Earlier she worked as a political adviser within mobility and environmental issues. She has a BA in political science from the University of Oslo and a MA in Society, Science and Technology Studies from the University of Oslo and Maastricht University. The Norwegian EV Association is an NGO and consumer organization that has been fast growing and now has over 50 employees and over 120.000 members - EV drivers from all over the country. This makes it the worlds’ largest EV driver organization. The organization plays an important role both nationally and internationally when it comes to promoting the shift to electric mobility, and work in collaboration with governmental bodies, industry and other organizations.

Edvard L. Sandberg

Medical Doctor and PhD-fellow at Sorlandet Hospital,

Edvard Liljedahl Sandberg is a medical doctor and PhD-fellow at Sorlandet Hospital, Norway. He has a deep interrest for Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide, and an increasing global health problem. For many, it can be asymptomatic before serious complications, such as stroke, manifest. The key is to detect AF before those complications manifest since highly effective medications can prevent them. Edvards research focuses on the early detection of AF using new technology.

Elison Matioli

Professor of electrical engineering and the director of the POWERlab research laboratory at EPFL

Elison Matioli is a professor of electrical engineering and the director of the POWERlab research laboratory at EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. His research focuses on the development of new semiconductor device concepts for more efficient use of energy and less heat generation in electronics. These devices are becoming ubiquitous in our modern world, from the ever increasing dependence on data centers to the electrification of our society.

Eugene Guribye

Social Anthropologist and Research Professor

Eugene Guribye is a social anthropologist and Research Professor at NORCE Norwegian Research Centre and is a leading expert on how people collaborate across sectors and backgrounds to come up with solutions to difficult issues. He has conducted fieldwork among eco-pirates in the Galapagos islands, refugees in Greece, homeless sex workers in Norway, banned NGOs in Sri Lanka, and in many other settings. His work has revolved around action research contributing towards better solutions to complex problems. After participating in a beach clean-up trip in Galapagos in the late 1990’s, he has also been engaged in forming an NGO working against marine plastic pollution in Raet National Park in Norway. He is also a music producer and performing musician who has worked with various Norwegian artists.

Hartwig Eckert

Professor, Trainer & Coach

Professor Hartwig Eckert holds a PhD in linguistics. He is a trainer and Coach within the aspects of negotiating, language and personality development and communication. Previous Positions: Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the Universities of Hull and Salford. Professor of Linguistics at the Europa University of Flensburg Academic Qualifications: PhD (University of Salford), Diploma of Linguistics (University of Edinburgh), Staatsexamen (University of Hamburg), MA (University of Hamburg) Numerous publications on linguistics, negotiating and personality development and appearances on TV Memberships: DGSS (German Society of Speech Sciences) GAL (German Association for Applied Linguistics)

Kathrin Pabst

Ethnologist, researcher and author with doctoral degree in professional ethics

Kathrin Pabst is a German ethnologist, researcher and author. She holds a doctoral degree in professional ethics. She has broad experience in both practical and theoretical sides of working with challenging, sensitive, or taboo-related subjects and holds regularly workshops and lectures around Europe. Within the International Council of Museums (ICOM), she functions as Chair of the International Committee on Ethical Dilemmas. Kathrin Pabst is currently on leave from her position as Head of the Scientific Department at the Vest-Agder Museum in Kristiansand, Norway, to lead “Identity on the Line,” an international, EU-funded large-scale cooperation project between museums and universities in seven European countries, working together to explore the long-term consequences of forced migration, war and trauma. In addition, she is leading a spin-off research project titled “What happens to the Untold?,” co-financed by the Art Council Norway.

Margreth Olin

Film director and producer

Margreth Olin is a director and producer with a large cinema audience in Norway. She has made 13 films, which have received critical acclaim, participated at numerous festivals abroad, and won several Norwegian and international awards. Margreth has managed to catalyze important dialogues with the topics her films shed light on. She has received 26 honorary awards for her commitment and focus on human rights. Her credits include In The House of Angels (Yamagata 1999) My Body (Tribeca 2002), EFA-nominated Raw Youth (2004), The Angel (TIFF 2010), Nowhere Home (IDFA 2012), Cathedrals of Culture, The Oslo Opera House (Berlinale 2013). Olin was one of 6 directors in Wim Wenders series Cathedrals of Culture. Her film Doing Good (2016) is the second highest grossing documentary ever in Norway. She is now in production with her new feature length documentary Songs of Earth (2023), this film is co-produced by BBC and ARTE, and Wim Wenders is the Executive Producer.

Meryam Sugulle

Consultant Obstetrician and Researcher

Meryam Sugulle is a Consultant Obstetrician and Researcher at Oslo University Hospital, one of the largest delivery units in Scandinavia. She holda a MD from Germany, PhD in Medicine from the University in Oslo. Scottish Quality and Safety Fellow, Cohort 13. Meryam believes that the placenta is the real center of the universe and has a passion for multiprofessional skills- and simulation training in obstetrics.

Patrick Risotto Botlero

Chef and author

Patrick Risotto Botlero is a former banker from NYC who choose to dedicate his life to spreading the goodness of risotto through cooking, teaching, writing and music. He is the author of the book "Den stora Risottoresan" - "The grat Risotto journey"

Peder Tellefsdal

Partner & Senior Communications Advisor

Peder Tellefsdal believes that what we do in small, we do in large. For 12 years he worked as a political advisor, shaping reforms and advising politicians on media and public debates. Today he’s a Senior Communications Advisor and partner at Innoventi. In both fields he discovered the power of trust - not just building it, but practicing it in the small, daily moments. On the stage at TEDxArendal, Peder will explore another “small” practice: the power of asking for forgiveness.

Per Henrik Stenstrøm

Author, Consultant, Speaker and Lecturer

Per Henrik has 30 years' experience in the media industry as a journalist and editor. He has been a radio and TV presenter and also been working in print. In 2015 he started his own company and is now working as a consultant and lecturer in communication and management. Stenstrøm has taken AFF's Solstrand programme, which is considered to be the Nordic region's best leadership development programme. Stenstrøm is a very popular and award-winning speaker and one of those who really shines from the stage. In 2021 he published his book "Annoying colleagues" where he writes about the troublesome differences that arise in a workplace.

Simen Steinklev

Musician

Simen Steinklev has been on a journey to become a music entrepreneur since he was 16 years old. Together with a group of friends he founded the creative collective Ladnera. They work as a group of artists, producers, photographers, video makers and managers to help each other prosper in their crossing fields. Several of Ladnera´s founding members are now professional creatives, making a living of their passion. Founding member and artist Simen Steinklev takes the stage to share his journey and perspective on how to let passionate young creatives thrive.

Thina Margrethe Saltvedt

Chief Analyst

Thina Margrethe Saltvedt is Chief Analyst at the Group Sustainability Nordea Bank. She worked over 12 years as an oil analyst, before leaving it all behind. Thina is a member of the Minister of Climate and Environment’s Climate Council. Thina has a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) degree in Economics and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in International Business from University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), United Kingdom.