Theme: Breaking the Mould

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).

Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre
Singleton Street
Swansea, Swansea, SA1 3QJ
United Kingdom

Andy Penaluna

Professor Andy Penaluna is Director of the International Institute for Creative Entrepreneurial Development based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Swansea. He is recognised across the world for his work embedding business and enterprise skills within education. Professor Penaluna has advised the United Nations, the European Commission and individual governments across the world, and is responsible for writing the world’s first creative entrepreneurship curriculum now embedded at all levels across educational institutions in Macedonia. His work has been recognised through a number of high-profile accolades, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2015.

Fever Sparks

Fever Sparks are a British songwriting duo combining the collective talents of Swansea-born songwriters Andy Morse and Gareth Lewis. Between them, they have worked with Jamie Lawson, The Struts, Motorhead, Steve Balsamo, Evan Dando, Frank Turner and Zane Lowe. Separately, many of their songs have been played regularly on national radio, registered with online music licensing companies, and used in digital videos. Both have been finalists in the International Songwriting Competition based in Nashville (18,000 entries - Jeff Beck, Tom Waits and Tori Amos on the judging panel plus senior US industry figures). Andy made the final in 2011 with his Americana anthem 'Walkaway', and Gareth in 2014 with his T-Bone Burnett-influenced song 'Don't let your love lay down’. As well as writing and performing their own material, Fever Sparks are also co-writing with a number of top songwriters and producers around the UK.

Hilary Lappin-Scott

Professor Hilary Lapping-Scott is a Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor at Swansea University and is an international expert in microbiology. She is Vice-President of the prestigious Federation of European Microbiological Society (FEMS) and was recently awarded a Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. Professor Lappin-Scott is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, the Royal Society of Biology and the European Academy of Microbiology. As a successful international female role model working within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) she has taken a global role promoting women in STEM professions.

Julia Manser

Julia Manser is a member of the Poets on the Hill (POTH). POTH is a group of performance poets who are from the Townhill and Mayhill areas of Swansea, in Wales – the home city of famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They were founded in 2014 after renowned dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah visited the city during the Dylan Thomas Centenary celebrations. The Poets have grown from strength-to-strength and in 2015 they launched their first collection of poems, published by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, ‘No Apologie Anfology’.

Kunal Patel

Seasoned entrepreneur Kunal Patel is the Chairman of Swansea-based Power and Water. Kunal co-founded Power and Water because of his dedication to creating a business with direct scalable and social impact across the industrial and energy sectors. As a passionate environmentalist Kunal believes the economy is linked to our environment and it is critical that we develop healthier, greener, cleaner and smarter energy generation and water treatment technologies to protect the purity of our planet’s most precious resources, for the well being of future generations.

Lucy Griffiths

Lucy Griffiths is co-founder of educational publisher and agency We Are Lucky, Editor of the South Wales Business Review, and co-author and illustrator of the Island Friends series of children’s stories. Her career has spanned roles within marketing, the education sector and her own businesses, and has included lecturing posts at the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Lucy is passionate about enhancing the life chances of young people through education that inspires and motivates them to achieve their own definition of success.

Nigel T Packer

Nigel T Packer is a digital business strategy consultant and author who, for over twenty years, has used his extensive knowledge and broad range of experiences to engage and educate businesses and audiences across the UK, Europe and the United States. He has expertise in e-business strategies, effective website development, online customer experience and engagement, and international business strategy. Nigel has been a Welsh Government Role model for the last fifteen years and is regularly found presenting to school pupils and university students on the practicality of entrepreneurship and running a business.

Tim Evans

Tim Evans is a member of the Poets on the Hill (POTH). POTH is a group of performance poets who are from the Townhill and Mayhill areas of Swansea, in Wales – the home city of famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. They were founded in 2014 after renowned dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah visited the city during the Dylan Thomas Centenary celebrations. The Poets have grown from strength-to-strength and in 2015 they launched their first collection of poems, published by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, ‘No Apologie Anfology’.