Theme: Adventurous Minds

TEDxMelbourne 2016 is about ideas that blaze trails and spark new concepts. It's about pushing boundaries to imagine future possibilities. It’s about resilience, reflection and recognition.

We’ll discover how some of our speakers challenged the status quo and pursued paths that others wouldn’t dare venture down. And where those paths have ultimately led them today.

Together we’ll relive the greatest fears and breath-taking achievements of our speakers. Some have battled under the spotlight whilst others have trodden their paths under absolute anonymity. Yet all are united in their quest to make a difference.

We hope you will join us at TEDxMelbourne 2016 as we pay homage to the adventurous mind that lives within each and every one of us.

1 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf, Victoria, 3006
Australia

Alberto Rizzoli and Marita Cheng

Alberto and Marita are experts in cognitive computing and are passionate about empowering the blind

Dr Agustin Chevez

Senior Researcher / Adjunct Research Fellow

An architect and academic, Dr Agustin Chevez has dedicated his career to understanding the notion of work and uncovering environments that best support our working lives. He is driven to discover how work has shaped our civilization and given purpose to our very existence

Dr Lesley Cheng

21st century scientist decoding the hidden information circulating in our blood

Lesley’s work at on Molecular Science involves developing a blood test for the early detection of brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease. She uses basic science, automation, Next-Generation technologies and big data to profile hidden genetic material called "exosomes". Research applications are not limited to disease diagnosis and may be used to understand healthy ageing, develop new therapies and improve health.

Dr Sarah Jane Pell

Artist, commercial diver, researcher and Australia’s first TED Fellow

Dr Sarah Jane Pell is uniquely engaged in art and science research intersecting the performing arts, human movement and underwater diving. Her work parallels human spaceflight and exploration and she positions herself as the experiment itself, seeking to embody and critique the culture of exploration and redefine our visions of future worlds. Sought after as a consultant for futurist think tanks, interactive design, feature films and cinematic world building, Sarah’s work is widely exhibited, performed, published and recognised. She was the first artist to graduate from the International Space University and Singularity University and was awarded Best PhD Art & Science by Leonardo AS, MIT 2007 for her thesis proposing ‘Aquabatics as new works of Live Art’. In April 2015, she reached Mount Everest South Base Camp (5,364 metres) and was preparing to continue to summit for her art when the Nepal earthquake struck. Drawing upon her story of survival she is writing a screenplay, ‘Bend

Jade Hameister

Student + Explorer

Jade is now determined to be the youngest person to complete the ‘Polar Hat Trick’, comprising the North Pole, Greenland Crossing and South Pole, all the way from the coast. She believes having an adventurous mind means being prepared to challenge outdated thinking, taking risks and accepting failure as a possibility

Jan Owen

FYA

Jan Owen is a recognised pioneer of the youth sector in Australia having dedicated most of her working life to igniting social change and inspiring young people to follow their passions. Jan speaks and works with remarkable young people from all walks of life. Some fear the future, for Jan the future is very bright.

JoAnna Ferrari

Marketing & Lead Conversion Strategist + Keynote Speaker

A twice-published author, JoAnna has also been a CEO and executive for corporations, an international sales trainer across five countries, overseen advertising and marketing for brands both in Australia and overseas and consulted for businesses in over 140 different industries.

Jules Allen

Motivational Speaker

Alongside Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness, Jules crusades for adoption reform. She has worked on a global scale with women and children who are victims of gross human rights violations. Jules believes the greatest adventure is that found within the mind; challenging the mind to think outside of its pre-conceived, patterned perceptions

Kristine Howard

Kris is a coder but in a very unusual way. She combines art and creativity to express code though...knitting?!

Professor Michael Smart

Professor of Hypersonic Propulsion

Professor of Hypersonic Propulsion - It's a fancy title that means one day we may be able to fly to space or anywhere on Earth in 2 hours.

Sam Doust

Writer and Creative Director

A child of the 70s, Sam Doust is an original digital native, growing up on Letraset and beziers, Grant projectors and first generation Photoshop. Using his passion for digital storytelling and visual design, between 2004 and 2015 Sam produced a series of award-winning digital projects that positioned the ABC as a major innovator in digital content. These included special editions of 4 Corners, ABC iView, Gallipoli: the first day, The Opera House Project and Bluebird AR. Recently he has undertaken cultural works for the Sydney Opera House including a multi-language tours film, video narratives for the Welcome Centre and creating their presence on the Google Cultural Institute

Steve Vamos

Company Director

Steve advocates that we need to think about how much of our conditioning at work is about doing what we’re told rather than about how to create the future. He believes having an adventurous mind means being willing to try new things and perhaps failing and to be a “learn it all” not “know it all”

Travis Bell

The Bucket List Guy

Travis Bell – aka the Bucket List Guy – has been helping people create and realise their innermost adventurous minds for more than 20 years. Armed with the dream that everyone should live a regret-free life, Travis is passionate about helping people create and live their Bucket List before it’s too late