Debuting big ideas that push boundaries. Exposing new perspectives. Sharing too-‐oft overlooked issues and views. In the fourth year of TEDxOU, Talks will do just that.
True to the larger TED mission of sharing ideas worth spreading, the idea of Off the Map is to go
beyond surface and inspire audiences to be thought pioneers – to think boldly, creatively, innovatively.
At the University of Oklahoma, a community that values not only developing greater, innovative ideas, but sharing their impact with the world, no theme could better encompass the ideas that will be presented at TEDxOU 2015.
Speakers
Speakers may not be confirmed. Check event website for more information.
Allen Hertzke
Dr. Allen Hertzke has chronicled the movement for religious freedom since being plunged into a world of human rights champions, religious exiles, and international law defenders at a think tank conference in 1998. Since then, his research has lead him to three conclusions: Religious freedom is essential to human dignity; it matters more than ever; and it is imperiled.David Driskill
David Driskill graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2014, where he spent five years as a defensive end for the Sooners. David learned numerous lessons from his experience as a successful walk-on and student athlete that he is now applying to solve problems not only in college athletics but also in every-day life.Dean Hougen
Dr. Dean Hougen teaches computer science at the University of Oklahoma and leads research in artificial intelligence through the College of Engineering.Emily Scheele
A ballerina since childhood, Emily Scheele is passionate about combining movement and learning. Emily has done research at some of the top neuroscience research institutes in the world, and she is the founder of a unique dance therapy program to teach modified ballet classes to children with special needs.Hollie Hawkins
Holly Hawkins is a pediatric nurse at the OU-Tulsa Health Sciences campus, as well as a medical provider at Fostering Hope Clinic. She delivers comprehensive care to infants and children in the welfare system using a broad, multidisciplinary approach.Jennifer Barnes
Dr. Jennifer Barnes lives a double life: by day, she’s a professor of psychology, and by night she’s a YA novelist. These passions have lead her to study the intersection of fiction and cognition.Jenny Rodgers
Jenny Rodgers had her “normal” redefined when she was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager. She now dedicates herself to ensuring that kids facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses are not defined by their illnesses.John Long
Retired Army Major General John Long has held many positions and titles in his career, but the role he’s most passionate about is mentor. Illustrated with a story about the time he used the word “trivia” to describe thousands of communications received by the Pentagon, General Long has empowering advice for students, graduates, and all.Kyle Reid
Kyle Reid is a guitarist, singer/songwriter, instrument builder, bandleader and composer based in central Oklahoma. With the backing of his New Orleans jazz inspired swing band, "The Low Swinging Chariots,” Kyle released his first full length album "Alright, Here We Go..." in 2014 to great reviews, being named the Daily Oklahoman's "Best Local Album of 2014."Lucy Mahaffey
Lucy Mahaffey learned that slavery still exists when she was 12 years old. Since then, she has made continual and impactful efforts to eradicate human trafficking. Lucy has created a curriculum, HOPE Student Awareness, to educate Oklahoma’s high schools on human trafficking, and she is the founder of Off The Market, the University of Oklahoma’s first conference on human trafficking awareness.Rodney Brazil
Rodney Brazil is a playwright, actor and director based in Oklahoma City, OK, where he is deeply involved in the local theatre community. Rodney is the co-founder of Next Stage, a theatre group dedicated to developing new plays and providing a more sustainable platform for local theatre artists.Victoria Bautista
Victoria Bautista tackles the issue of under-representation of minorities in media and pop culture with this spoken word performance of an original poem. In her second performance, Victoria Bautista takes the audience “Off The Map” with this spoken word performance of an original poem written for and premiered at TEDxOU.Organizing team
