Theme: Dare to Ask

This year, our presenters will dare to ask you to think more deeply about our community, our world and our future. With so many amazing developments in science and technology and AI, the Arts and culture, and service learning and leadership, we need to ask how can we how can we get more involved, more fulfilled and more connected with one another. Our young people will inspire and amazing with their insights and ideas, their interactive exhibits and engaging discussions, artistic and technological innovations.

School of Management, Fudan Unversity, Zhengli Campus, Shanghai, China
220 Handan Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai
Shanghai, Shanghai, 200000
China

Addison Shea

Student Researcher

Meet Addison, a remarkable 10-year-old full of passion for learning and creativity. Born prematurely, he weighed only 1 kg, but he has shown incredible resilience and strength. From a young age, Addison loved equestrian activities, often reminding his parents to book riding lessons - his determination is inspiring. Besides riding, Addison is a talented performer, singing his favourite songs and playing beautiful melodies on the piano. Known for his optimism and warm personality, he brings joy to everyone around him. Addison truly embodies kindness and positivity, always encouraging others and spreading happiness with his infectious smile.

Alan Shen

Student Researcher

Alan is a middle school student studying in Beijing, China. He is interested in how coding works and the amazing things coding does. Alan enjoys using electronic devices exploring new skills online and following his own pace on learning platforms. He actively follows online courseware to extend his current academic studies. Electronic devices has brought Alan a lot of enjoyment in learning, but he realises developing online apps can be very time consuming.

Alexander Lu Scheel

Student Researcher

Alexander is a primary student in Shanghai, born in China to Swedish and German parents. He loves airplanes, basketball, being outdoors, and finding ways to take care of the planet. Whether he’s fixing a flat basketball, cleaning the ocean or speaking up about pollution, Alexander believes that small actions can make a big difference. In his TEDx talk, he shares a simple story about repair, responsibility, and how anyone - no matter their age - can help protect the world we live in.

Amelie Zhong

Student Researcher

Amelie is a student studying in Beijing, China. She loves exploring new things and discovering herself through various experiences, showcasing her insights through public speaking. Amelie is also deeply passionate about Art. She began learning piano and dancing at just four years old and now uses music to express herself.

Anirwa Dadda

Student Researcher

Anirwa is a Grade 3 student studying in Tongxiang, China. Born in Paderborn, Germany, he is a well-rounded young boy who balances school with hobbies like playing the piano and exploring Chinese culture through comics, books, and food. He is social and outgoing, enjoying connecting with friends locally and internationally. Anirwa loves discovering new places and dreams of becoming a pilot. Recently, he grew a lemon sapling inspired by a video, showing his curiosity in action. He also researches his own books, excels in piano, and plays the violin, composing his own tunes with creativity.

Arjun Chaturvedi

Student Researcher

Arjun is a dedicated and internationally-minded 15-year-old in Year 10 in Shanghai Pudong. A passionate advocate for blood donation, he has been involved in service-learning projects from a young age. Recently, he received an award from the United Nations Resident Coordinator for his work with Bloodline Youth. Arjun has participated in Model United Nations and the World Scholars Cup. In his free time, he enjoys reading history and quizzing, showcasing his love for random trivia.

Arya Hung

Student Researcher

Arya is a student studying in China, who has grown up surrounded by rapid technological development. This sparked her interest in the role of how the environment impacts the beliefs and opinions we have. Arya's experiences have led her to question: what makes a world ideal - and why do people disagree on what is dystopian or utopian? In her talk, Arya will explore the impact of perspectives in shaping our societies, revealing how the same world can be both a paradise and a nightmare depending on who's looking.

Aya Hung

Student Researcher

Aya is a student studying in China, who has grown up surrounded by rapid technological development. This sparked her interest in the role of how the environment impacts the beliefs and opinions we have. Aya's experiences have led her to question: what makes a world ideal - and why do people disagree on what is dystopian or utopian? In her talk, Aya will explore the impact of perspectives in shaping our societies, revealing how the same world can be both a paradise and a nightmare depending on who's looking.

Chloe Chen

Student Researcher

Chloe was born in Canada and moved to Shanghai four years ago. She speaks English, Chinese, and Shanghainese. Her hobbies include reading and making arts and crafts. Chloe has seen many photos of global pollution, and this has inspired her to build awareness of this issue.

Conan Chia

Student Researcher

"How do you reclaim your dreams?" Conan, a student from Hong Kong, has always asked himself this question. As another innocent soul enthralled by the pursuit of becoming a lawyer, Conan has always enjoyed the art of performance and public speaking. From various school plays and speeches, Conan has consistently pursued this intrinsic interest of his.

Curtis Jacobson

Student Researcher

Curtis is a Grade 3 student in Tongxiang, China. He has demonstrated exceptional talent and leadership by taking on leading roles in Primary School Plays. He has shown strong cultural engagement in music, notably through his participation in the school's Vocal Ensemble. Curtis is diligent, with a consistently positive and energetic spirit, actively contributing to the performing arts and all aspects of school life.

Daniel Lok

Student Researcher

Daniel is a lively, curious boy with many interests in primary school. He loves cars and train tracks, exploring how vehicles work and imagining journeys. Playing with them helps him focus and channel his energy calmly. Daniel also has a passion for swimming, which he started at age three and now competes at a high level.

Donald Hung

Student Researcher

Donald is part of the Hong Kong Pathfinder's team at his school. The nascent team has contributed HKD $12,000 in funds to support their mission: "All children deserve a fair start in life" and "all mothers matter". Donald is driven by his passion for helping others, and has been personally engaged with Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) since childhood. Donald has actively contributed to building awareness through advocacy and event engagement.

Eason Huang

Student Researcher

Eason is a determined and energetic 12-year-old in Year 7 in Shanghai Pudong. With a witty sense of humor and a gleam in his eye, he has a real passion for floorball, a sport he has played since he was four. Competing across China and Nordic nations in Europe, Eason has traveled the world through his love for the game. When he’s not on the court, he enjoys playing cello in the orchestra, exploring science, and spending time with friends.

Ella Zhang

Student Researcher

Ella is a primary student studying at Lingang, Shanghai, China. She is enjoys arts and crafts and is also an avid animal lover. Ella enjoys spending her free time reading about various animals, as well as, spending time with her beloved parrot, Wali.

Ellie Sun

Student Researcher

Ellie is a high student in Yantai, China, with a passion and interest for history, politics, and storytelling. An avid follower of British PMQs, she admires Keir Starmer’s sharp retorts and the power of evidence in debate - a theme that fuels her curiosity. When not analysing UN speeches or watching PMQs, she unwinds by listening to music, writing stories of a two-sided detective, watching movies or finding new books to read. Her favourite PMQs quote - “The public would like to see the receipts, Prime Minister” - reflects her belief in truth over blind obedience.

Elsa Zhou

Student Reseearcher

Elsa Zhou is a middle student in Tongxiang, China. She is a versatile performer who actively participates in debating, drama productions, and vocal ensembles, and she serves on the school's student leadership team. Else consistently refines her creative abilities, demonstrating unwavering love and dedication to all aspects of the arts. Her hard-working personality and diligence, coupled with her constant drive to achieve the best, make her an outstanding student and role model in our school community.

Emma Kelly

Student Researcher

Emma is a primary student in Shanghai China. She has always loved to draw and make crafts, which inspired her to create the Cloma school with her friend. She is passionate about stopping pollution in a creative way of making toys with your own hands and reducing toy garbage.

Erika Zhang

Student Researcher

Erika is a secondary student from Beijing, China. She has a keen interested in understanding people and their feelings. She has explored fields in psychology. Erika also likes to draw and has found drawing is a good way of expressing feelings.

Esmee Ho

Student Researcher

Esmee is a high school student studying in Hong Kong, China. In a previous project, her interest in mental health and self-care inspired her to design Teddy, a lifestyle app that aims to make mental wellness accessible, comforting, and stigma-free. Esmee has participated in the HKNETEA Student Innovation Award competition in 2023. She has a deep passion for establishing tools that make people feel seen, heard, and supported.

Fiona Boya

Student Researcher

Fiona is a higher school student passionate about combining environmental stewardship with innovative solutions. As a member of Corallium, Fiona manages aquatic ecosystems and teaches younger students about marine biodiversity, while also writing for the Advocacy Club to raise awareness on global and local issues. Fiona co-founded and leads the Green Collective, empowering peers to take tangible climate action. With a passion for economics - earning a Higher Distinction in the World Economics Cup and completing a Stanford University credited course - and a love for nature, explored through sports training and competitions, she strives to create meaningful change in climate action.

Haslina Atif

Student Researcher

Haslina is a Pakistani student studying in China. She has a deep interest in storytelling and uses photography to explore personal and cultural narratives. During a recent visit to Lahore, Haslina captured moments from the city’s old streets, turning everyday scenes into stories about heritage, identity, and connection.

Ivy You

Student Researcher

Ivy is currently a Year 2 student in Chongqing, China. Ivy was born in Germany and her educational journey began in a German-English bilingual kindergarten at age 3. This was followed by enrolment at a British-International School in Munich, where she excelled in a rigorous bilingual (GermanEnglish) curriculum. Beyond academics, Ivy has a strong passion for the violin. She began learning at age 4 and has won multiple awards in Germany, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Jane Zhou

Student Researcher

Jane is a student from Shanghai, China, who enjoys working with numbers, logic, and structured thinking. She won a gold award in Math League and has achieved outstanding results in IGCSE Mathematics ahead of schedule. Beyond equations, she applies her analytical mindset to explore complex emotional topics—such as teen grief and mental health. Through two months of psychological research and regular participation in youth psychology salons, Jane began reimagining how we talk about death. In her TED Talk, she combines logic and empathy to design a game that helps young people face loss—and remember with love.

Joyce Zhang

Student Researcher

Joyce is currently a middle school student studying in Hong Kong, China. She is passionate about women inequality.

Justin Li

Student Researcher

Justin is a 9-year-old student in Chongqing, China. He has lived with his grandparents since he was born because his parents work in another province. This experience has inspired him to speak about distance parenting. He stays connected with his parents through video calls and visits during holidays. He enjoy singing, presenting, and playing soccer. He is passionate about using technology to bring families closer and dream of creating VR tools to help children like him feel more connected to their parents, no matter the distance.

Kate Gu

Student Researcher

Kate is an enthusiastic 11-year-old in Year 6 in Shanghai Pudong. She loves learning, especially about science, and enjoys playing the cello and piano. As a member of her rock band, she also delights in singing with her classmates. A dedicated animal lover and horse rider, Kate serves as a House Captain and is a passionate advocate for environmental protection through sustainable practices.

Khloe Lam

Student Researcher

Khloe is part of the Hong Kong Pathfinder's team at her school. The nascent team has contributed HKD $12,000 in funds to support their mission: "All children deserve a fair start in life" and "all mothers matter". Khloe has connections with Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs), feeling compassionate and eager to guide and empower all women. Khloe Lam also serves as student council representative and the school hockey team captain. Her commitment to excellence has been recognised with the Outstanding Student Award. With a deep passion for photography and psychology, Khloe actively explores compassionate systems and their impact on the education sector.

Kira Wong Chiu

Student Resarcher

Kira is a primary student in Guangzhou, China. Kira has a passion for singing and a deep love for animals. She enjoys sharing stories and engaging in conversations about topics that matter to her. Throughout her life, Kira has rescued several rabbits and birds, reflecting her compassionate nature and dedication to helping animals in need.

Leo Wang

Student Researcher

Leo is a student in Chongqing, China with a keen interest in artificial intelligence. He has completed classroom projects that weave AI into learning, including designing a “sustainable creature” model aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Fascinated by technology’s educational potential, Leo explores AI solutions to traditional study challenges and regularly introduces classmates to new tools and responsible prompting techniques. Outside school, he codes for fun, building small games that blend creativity with logic. Through his TEDx talk, Leo hopes to inspire peers and teachers to guide AI responsibly and unlock deeper curiosity.

Lucas Lin

Student Researcher

Lucas is a middle student studying in Shanghai, China. Interested in machinery and mathematics since childhood, he has developed a deep connection with robots. Now a middle school student, Lucas is fully immersed in his studies, driven by the dream of creating his own robot one day.

Luke Whiteoak

Student Researcher

Luke is a student studying in Tongxiang, Zhejiang, China. He is interested in writing music and sharing a different point of views with the world. Luke loves celebrating the differences that make us all unique, and he especially enjoys leveraging his own difference (autism) into the key to his success. Luke started writing rap music when he was only 9 years old, using Logic Pro to bring his music to life. In his free time, he creates his own animations and has used this in his music career for videos and trailers.

Max Chen

Student Researcher

Max is an 8-year-old student in Chongqing, originally from beautiful British Columbia, Canada. With a culturally diverse background and a strong sense of critical thinking, Max is passionate about visual arts, including books, documentaries, and games. He effectively uses technology to support both learning and entertainment, demonstrating safe and responsible digital habits. Despite his young age, Max understands the importance of parenting and guidance in navigating the digital world. Creative and articulate, he enjoys sharing his ideas and experiences with others, making him a thoughtful and engaged young learner.

Mia Zhou

Student Researcher

Mia a primary-aged girl studying in Beijing, China. She loves to paint pictures and make crafts. Her brush and hands are like magic tools, creating wonderful things. Mia enjoys reading non-fiction books and learning new things about the world. Challenging Maths problems are like fun puzzles for her to solve, and when she plays the piano and composes songs, the notes jump and dance, bringing her so much joy. She is always excited to learn and explore!

Nicolas Woo

Student Researcher

Nicolas currently leads the Hong Kong Pathfinder's team at his school. The nascent team has contributed over HKD $12,000 in funds to support their mission: "All children deserve a fair start in life" and "all mothers matter". Nicolas, the main driver for Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) advocacy at his school, has hosted several initiatives and campaigns.

Olivia Borengasser

Student Researcher

Olivia is a primary student in Chongqing, China. She is an active girl who enjoys football, rollerblading and bicycling. As a K4 student, Olivia covered her entire face everytime she and her classmates got on stage- she could not stand all of those parents, teachings and classmates looking at her. Now that has all changed - Olivia has been involved in TEDX talks since Year 3 and is passionate about getting on stage to share what she feels strongly about.

Olivia Hong

Student Researcher

Olivia is a student studying in Shanghai, China. She is a well-rounded student and a passionate public speaker. Awarded the IGCSE scholarship for the upcoming academic year, she is eager to further develop her academic skills and leadership abilities while making meaningful contributions to her school community. Inspired by daily conversations with peers and family, and encouraged by the support of her teachers, Olivia began to notice a recurring theme: the challenge of truly connecting and understanding across differing perspectives. This realisation led to her exploration of “the noise between us” and the impact of information cocoons—a topic she is excited to share on the TEDx stage today.

Owen Chen

Student Researcher

Owen is a primary-school student in Shanghai, Puxi. His favourite hobbies are soccer, basketball, and doodling. He used to scribble all over books - most of the drawings didn’t even make sense! But now, he has learned to turn any scribble into a piece of art. Like most kids his age, he really love his iPad, perhaps a little too much! Owen has been trying to come to terms with this and to find ways to include screen time as a healthy balance in his life.

Rene Wang

Student Researcher

Rene is a primary student in Chongqing, China. She loves reading, writing, sports and music. She is curious about learning new things and also has a great interest in biology. Rene always keeps in her mind that humans can interact with the environment in a way that ensures there will be enough resources left for future generations. She recently created a smart AI intelligent agent to discuss about fun scientific facts.

Roy Liu

Student Researcher

Roy is a thoughtful and witty 15-year-old in Year 10 at in Shanghai Pudong. He has a passion for learning—especially about transportation, aviation, and plane/trainspotting. Roy loves to travel, hang out with friends, and learns best when he combines these interests. At school, he shines in drama, taking the stage in musicals and plays. With his smooth voice, he has added TEDx to his bucket list and is excited to share his insights.

Ryan Wu

Student Researcher

Ryan is a student studying in Hong Kong, China. He is a passionate enthusiast in Science, dedicated in transforming ideas to reality. With the spirit of exploration and innovation, he aims to inspire others through the wonders of science and the infinite possibilities it offers. Ryan believes in the power of curiosity to overcome obstacles and drive positive changes to the world.

Sally Lee

Student Researcher

Sally is a high student in Shanghai, China. Deeply passionate about culture, language, and meaningful communication, she finds joy in exploring how people express and understand each other across borders. As a trilingual student with a multicultural background, Sally draws from personal experiences, academic research, and real-world observations to explore the role of curiosity in bridging cultural gaps. Her TEDx talk, Dare to Ask – The Courage of Cultural Curiosity, invites audiences to rethink misunderstandings and embrace questions as a path to empathy, identity, and deeper human connection.

Shary Zhang

Student Researcher

Shary is a high school student studying in Shanghai, China. She studies fields like Moral and Scientific Philosophy, Theology, Literature and Art. She has been interested in Art since very young age and began to study philosophy when she was just thirteen years old. Shary enjoys the combination of multiple subjects. She prefers to merge narrative perspective into artworks and establish a unique philosophical way to create spiritual art. Applying multidisciplinary learning approaches, she has developed a more comprehensive and diverse perspectives on the world that she wishes to share with others.

Tianrui Hong

Student Researcher

Tianrui is a student studying in Shanghai, China. He is interested in the field of engineering and shows passion in building things. Tianrui enjoys watching videos of creators creating amazing works or explaining major discoveries of Earths underlying logics. He has built a tree house at his previous residence and loves lego, this has fostered his creativity and ability to think and execute ideas.

Victoria Zhang

Student Researcher

Victoria is a middle school student in Shanghai, China. She has been caught between two worlds: never fully “Chinese” in Shanghai, never fully “American” in Texas. After struggling with Chinese language classes recently, Victoria discovered true belonging comes from embracing change, not resisting it. Through this journey, she found there is still something that connects her with both China and the US - swimming! Back in the US, she loved swimming; it was one of her most favoured hobbies. After moving to China, she felt disoriented, like something from her life was missing. But recently, after starting swimming again, she found herself gaining a sense of confidence, and once again, she felt like she was home again.

Vincy Qian

Student Researcher

Vincy is a primary-school student in Shanghai, China. Preparing this talk has really got her thinking deeply about an issue: is all meat the same? Vincy did not know how much contaminated meat could harm a human’s health until she started engaging more with the industry. The results inspired her to speak out.

William Zhang

Student Researcher

William is an energetic 11-year-old in Year 6 in Shanghai Pudong, with an infectious smile and a deep love for music. He is a pianist and composer, sings in his rock band, and aspires to be an actor, using his voice to advocate for important causes. Committed to promoting sustainability, William creatively combines art and action to inspire positive change.

Woody Wu

Student Researcher

Woody is a 13-year-old student in Year 8 in Shanghai Pudong and a self-described middle school wannabe rocket scientist. Intellectually curious, he loves space and the rockets that get us there, dedicating much of his time to building rockets while learning the necessary science, engineering, technical design, and programming. When he’s not launching rockets, Woody enjoys playing drums with his rock band and ultimate frisbee with friends and teammates.

Yebin Kwon

Student Researcher

Yebin is currently a student studying in Qingdao, China. She is a passionate advocate for emotional awareness and support, especially for glass children. Growing up as a glass child, Yebin developed a deep understanding of the silent struggles faced my many in similar roles. Through personal reflection and storytelling, she is committed to bringing visibility to those who are often invisible to the world.

Yibai Mei

Student Researcher

Yibai is a Grade 3 student in Tongxiang, China. He has demonstrated exceptional talent and leadership by taking on leading roles in Primary School Plays. He has shown strong cultural engagement in music, notably through his participation in the school's Vocal Ensemble. Yibai is diligent, with a consistently positive and energetic spirit, actively contributing to the performing arts and all aspects of school life.

Yocelin Leung

Student Researcher

Yocelin is a high-school student studying in Hong Kong, China. Passionate about Art since the age of three, she has consistently achieved outstanding results in Art. Yocelin has also excelled in Science, winning second place in the Hong Kong Youth Science and Technology Innovation Competition at ten, as well as, the Royal Society of Biology's scientific drawing competition. Currently, Yocelin maintains high achievements in her Science subjects while exploring her love for drawing, singing, and playing the harp. She always finds ways to link her love for Art with her Science subjects. Yocelin believes in balancing hobbies and practical fulfilment, emphasising that both dreams and practicality can coexist harmoniously.

Yuna Lee

Student Researcher

Yuna is from South Korea. Her hobbies include writing and giving speeches, art, singing, and figure skating. Preparing this talk has really got her thinking deeply about an issue: is all meat the same? She did not know how much contaminated meat could harm a human’s health until she started engaging more with the industry. The results inspired her to speak out.

ZiXuan Qiu

Student Researcher

ZiXuan is a student in Guangzhou, China. She is interested in basic human rights and loves to visit museums, watch speeches about females, and read books about ancient females‘ social status. These experiences have brought her deeper understanding of the unequal situation that females have faced. ZiXuan has worked on to breaking the female stereotypes by promoting basic female rights and participating in more activities like the speech during English week to raise people’s awareness.

Zoe Qureshi

Student Researcher

Zoe is a 10-year-old student, originally from Pakistan. She has lived in Shanghai for more than 7 years and really enjoy sports, specifically swimming and badminton. Zoe also love animals; she loves playing with them, learning about them and helping them, especially stray animals. For this reason, she cannot understand when people ignore the importance of animals in our lives or are cruel to them. It got her thinking - why not talk about it at TEDx. Zoe truly believe that no matter what they do … or don't, pets matter, and we won’t be the same without them.