Theme: Milestones

The theme for the first TEDxUniversityofKent event will be Milestones, to honour the University’s 50th Anniversary.

This theme encompasses a broad range of ideas and approaches which represent some of TED’s core values of forward-thinking, innovation and inspiration. Not only does it celebrate the huge milestone of the first ever TEDx event at the University of Kent, but Milestones as a theme casts a wide net for speakers to interpret, from reaching personal milestones to addressing social, historical, political and scientific milestones – and everything in between.

Gulbenkian Theatre
Gulbenkian Theatre
Library Road
Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NB
United Kingdom

Alexandre Stylianoudis

Alexander Stylianoudis was born and raised in Geneva. He is currently studying Criminology and Sociology at the University of Kent, and has a particular interest in financial crimes and the socio-economic influence of corporations. His research will take him to California, Geneva and London, to study the various fiscal methods used both in tax planning and tax avoidance. Alexander aims to present a neutral, but thought provoking approach to his talk in which he will highlight the inconvenient truth of tax avoidance.

Becci Fearnley

Becci Louise leads the double life of teacher-by-day, poet-by-night. Her work has been performed in London, Reading, Kent and Leicester. She is a Roundhouse Resident Artist and is often seen shouting poetry in the streets of Canterbury. At the age of 21, she suffered a pretty nasty stint of severe anxiety and depression, and has had recurrences ever since. She is not ashamed of this. She writes to heal and she writes to teach others how to heal. She wishes we, as a society, would give more space to our young people for writing, so they can heal too.

Dr William Rowandson

Dr. William Rowlandson

William Rowlandson is Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies at the University of Kent, where he has worked since 2005 following associate lectureships at the universities of Exeter and Aberdeen. William’s teaching and research interests are wide and varied and have focused on two broad themes: the tension between art and politics with particular attention to the Cuban Revolution, and religious and mystical experience. This TEDx presentation about John Lennon in Havana draws on all these areas, presenting a historical figure that embodies multiple narratives of art, poetry, resistance and rebellion and whose statue in a park offers a vision of peace and hope and the chance for the healing of old wounds.

Gilberto Algar-Faria

Researcher

Gilberto Algar-Faria is a PhD Candidate at the University of Bristol and a Research Associate at the Foreign Policy Centre. His research, which is primarily fieldwork-based, focuses on state and society in post-war Sri Lanka, where he has conducted fieldwork each year since 2012. Gilberto holds BA and MSc degrees from the University of Leeds and Durham University, respectively, and was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Sydney in 2014.

Lizzie Hodgson

Lizzie Hodgson is founder of ThinkNation, an innovative 'ideas as inspiration' platform for young people. She's passionate about how digital technologies and open source can empower and engage everyone. Her background is pretty eclectic: From a brief stint as an intern for Gordon Brown and features journalist for the tabloid press, to a speechwriter for Department of Health and founder of a tech startup. That failed. She also works with large organisations to understand the value of digital in everyday life, and frequently runs tech meet-ups that are purposefully inclusive for the whole community.

Luke Frake

Luke Frake is a Front End Developer based in Kent whose career has been focused around how people interact with the internet. The internet is a tool with almost infinite prospects, not necessarily in terms of what it does for you, but what it can enable you to do. It is a never-ending source of information and inspiration, unlocking endless possibilities that empower people to fulfil their true potential. In his talk, Luke is going to propose that access to the internet should be seen as a human right, and that together we should be pushing harder to get the unconnected world connected.

Luke Frake

Luke Frake is a Front End Developer based in Kent whose career has been focused around how people interact with the internet. The internet is a tool with almost infinite prospects, not necessarily in terms of what it does for you, but what it can enable you to do. It is a never-ending source of information and inspiration, unlocking endless possibilities that empower people to fulfil their true potential. In his talk, Luke is going to propose that access to the internet should be seen as a human right, and that together we should be pushing harder to get the unconnected world connected.

Paul Lin

As an exchange student, Paul Lin came to University of Kent in September 2014, studying Linguistics, American Studies, and French. Before his time at Kent, Paul studied in Tongji University in Shanghai China, majoring in English Language and Literature. His one year of study in Kent has offered him a colourful experience with abundant achievements. In October 2014, he founded the first student academic journal at University of Kent - ZERO, focusing on the subjects of Humanities and Social Science and targeting academic communication at an international level. Paul has also had interests in a wide range of fields, ranging from independent art organization to foreign language teaching.

Rebekah Simon

Becky Simon is a 2nd year history student who will be undertaking a year abroad in Maastricht University in September. Through her work with the University of Kent Against Human Trafficking Society as Publicity Officer, she has been an active part of campaigning across campus and the wider community including; an Anti-Slavery Week and ‘Live below the Line’ to raise awareness of modern day slavery. Her work has led her to many introspective ideologies on the way causes are portrayed to the public which has provided the basis of her talk.

Shefali Kulkarni

Shefali is an academician, teacher and advocate of gender inclusion. She writes and speaks about relevant, pressing issues in the domain and believes in the need for change. She has worked as a teacher and teacher educator for more than 15 years but is back to school as a student now She is interested in your opinions, questions and suggestions and can be contacted at shefali.eltpages@gmail.com