Theme: TEDxArendal 2021 InMotion

This year at TEDxArendal you will be moving from location to location. Experiencing things along the way. We call this ‘InMotion’.

Arendal Kulturhus
Arendal
Arendal, Aust-Agder, 4801
Norway

Benedikte Wallace

PhD Researcher

Benedikte Wallace is a Ph.D. researcher at the RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Rhythm, Time and Motion at the University of Oslo. She has a background in music production and a MSc in Informatics. Wallace’s interests lie in the cross-section between art and science. Her research is centered around exploring sound-motion mappings with 3D motion capture, generative machine learning, and the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) as a tool for pursuing and understanding creativity.

Camilla Susann Haug

Singer and Songwriter

Camilla Susann Haug is a singer and songwriter from Mo i Rana in Norway. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance at the Norwegian State Academy of Music, and works today as a professional singer. Haug sing in genres like contemporary, improvising jazz, folk and pop. She is also a soprano in the a cappella group “PUST”. Haug continues to thrive within the music environment and loves singing closely together with others to create harmonies with only voices as their instruments.

Catharina Chen

Musician

Catharina Chen is a Norwegian violinist and is actively playing as the concertmaster for The Norwegian National Opera Orchestra. Chen started playing the violin at a young age and held her first solo with a major orchestra when she was 8 years old. She has then played with major orchestras all over the world and received numerous awards for her advanced technique and unique performance style. Chen still thrives within the musical environment and continues to challenge the classical era of music.

Eirik Skiftenes

Hammock Enthusiast

Nine year-old Eirik Skiftenes loves to be outside both day and night. Every night since June last year, Eirik has been sleeping outside in a hammock on the porch by himself. He has become somewhat of a local hero in Grimstad, because of this particular interest. He faces some of the challenges of sleeping outside, like cold weather and mosquito bites. However, that won’t stop Eirik when he has warm winter clothing and mosquito nets! Eirik wants to continue sleeping outside until this year at least, but the Grimstad native says that “Nothing is better than a night out in fresh air!”

Erik Sauar

CEO of Cenate A/S

Erik Sauar is the CEO of Cenate AS, a company that produces silicon-containing anode materials that is directly used in today’s lithium-ion batteries. Sauar and his team wants to increase these lithium-ion batteries capacity to 20-40%. He holds an impressive academic curriculum of a MSC in Chem. Eng., an MA in Anthropology and a Dr. technician degree in Physical Chemistry. Sauar is constantly on the lookout for potential start-ups that advocates clean technology and has been involved with more than 35 patent applications. He is also very passionate about other technical solutions that can have a large impact on the society we live in.

Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad

Professor Emerit and Physician

Professor Emerit Esben Esther Pirelli Benestad is a Norwegian doctor and Ph.D. researcher who specializes in clinical sexology. The retired professor from the University of Agder was one of the first professors specializing in sexology in Norway. A prominent advocate of transgender rights, Pirelli Benestad is this year’s recipient of the gold medal for a lifelong contribution to sexology and sexual health from the worldwide organization, World Association for Sexual Health. Once a participant on the popular TV show Dancing with the Stars, and a representative for a local political party, Pirelli Benestad continues to spread the word about being true to one’s self and others.

Hans Ivar Hanevik

Obstetrician and Researcher

Hans Ivar Hanevik is an obstetrician at Telemark Hospital where he sees patients who experience difficulties in becoming pregnant. To treat his patients he often uses Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF). These new technologies could potentially have consequences for the children born via these methods. As such, Hans Ivar has also worked as a researcher at the Centre for Fertility and Health to find out how this change in reproduction could affect our well being.

Irina Sorokina

Professor and Head of "Laser Physics Group"

Irina Sorokina is a Russian laser physicist and professor that works in Norway at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). She has been interested in physics since the age of 5 and has accomplished much with her lifelong contribution to the researching of lasers and science. Sorokina holds a Master’s degree in physics and mathematics, PhD through the Russian Academy of Sciences, and then became a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA). She continues to share her ideas and research on how lasers can be used for unique and important tasks in the future.

Joakim Jørgensen

digital Entrepreneur and Mountain Admirer

Joakim Jørgensen shot to fame when he took his passion for hiking and his interest in posting on social media to new heights. Literally! He is one half of the popular duo, who posts some of the most wackiest and surrealistic pictures and videos on Instagram and Youtube under the name “The Mountain Concept”. One of his more challenging videos, required him to carry a porcelain toilet bowl to the top of Store Blåmann, the highest peak on Kvaløya in Troms, Norway, 1040 meters above sea level. To Joakim, it’s all about pushing boundaries, getting creative, creating reactions, and having a good laugh!

Jose Julio Gonzalez

Professor Emiritus

Professor Emeritus Jose Julio Gonzalez is a leading authority in the field of public safety and emergency preparedness. He established and led the Centre for Integrated Emergency Management (CIEM) at the University of Agder, where he worked as a Professor at the Department for Information and Communication Technology until his retirement in 2019. That same year, Professor Gonzalez won Norway’s prestigious King’s Medal of Merit Award for his contributions to societal security, adding to an already impressive list of accolades. Today, he continues to share his vision and expertise in advisory roles in local companies that focus on the effective digitalization of businesses and management of systemic risk.

Lisa Ribesen

Fashion model, environmentalist and bussiness owner

Former shopaholic Rebekka Sjølie and business manager Lisa Ribesen are the founders of ReLi, a clothes-for-rent business. Their environmentally friendly women’s clothing business offers quality brands focused on sustainability. Sjølie and Ribesen hope to promote ‘circular fashion’ by giving women the opportunity to buy less and rent more while at the same time enjoying a creative and inspired lifestyle through their choice of clothes.

Nicolai Tangen

CEO of the Norwegian Oil Fund

Nicolai Tangen is the CEO of the Norwegian oil fund, formally known as the Government Pension Fund Global, which is the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. The fund manages over 11 trillion NOK (around one trillion USD) and owns more than 1,5% of the world’s listed companies. Tangen has broad experience in asset management and previously ran a hedge fund which he founded in 2005. Tangen holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Wharton School, a Master’s degree in the History of Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art and in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics. He has also studied Russian at the Norwegian Armed Forces’ School of Intelligence and Security.

Pål Moddi Knutsen

Singer, Songwriter and Activist

Pål Moddi Knutsen is a singer, songwriter, and activist from the island of Senja in Northern Norway. He has a Master’s degree from the Centre for Development and the Environment, from the University of Oslo. Under the artist name Moddi, he has released several albums in the genre Indiepop/Folk. Moddi’s songs are written in both Norwegian and English. He won Spellemannprisen (Norwegian music award) in the category Folk music in 2013. His latest album brings up themes like powerplay, the climate crisis, and the importance of caring. Moddi is coming to TEDxArendal 2021 and we are super excited!

Pia Ve Dahlen

Marine Biologist

Pia Ve Dahlen is one of Norway’s most popular marine biologists. The reason being that she spreads her enthusiasm and love for the ocean wherever she goes, and people just cannot avoid being fascinated by her anecdotes and experiences. She has a bachelor’s in science and biology from the University of Bergen and a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii. Back in the day she cofounded Passion for Ocean and has now started Rent a biologist (Lei en biolog) – a huge network of talkative biologists across Norway that aims to spread their knowledge everywhere they go.

Rebecca Sjølie

Biologist, environmentalist and bussiness owner

Former shopaholic Rebecca Sjølie and business manager Lisa Ribesen are the founders of ReLi, a clothes-for-rent business. Their environmentally friendly women’s clothing business offers quality brands focused on sustainability. Sjølie and Ribesen hope to promote ‘circular fashion’ by giving women the opportunity to buy less and rent more while at the same time enjoying a creative and inspired lifestyle through their choice of clothes.

Rick Kirkham

Journalist and TV-Producer

Rick Kirkham is an experienced journalist and filmmaker who has dedicated his life to telling stories. Best known for his 2006 HBO show TV Junkie as well as his recent appearance in the Netflix series Tiger King, Kirkham has always been interested in television. He is constantly on the lookout for his next big story, and after traveling the world, having a guest appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, being shot out of a cannon, and wrestling a nine-foot alligator, Kirkham has now settled in Bodø after love brought him to Norway.

Trym Ruud

Digital Art Pioneer

Trym Ruud is a Norwegian artist who works in the digital and physical realms. Ruud pioneered a digital art project called Rude Boy’s, creating a series of 3D models of toys that were sold as Non-Fungible Tokens for 11 million Norwegian Kroner. He recently finished a bachelor’s in graphic design at Westerdals School of Arts, Communication, and Technology. In July, Ruud finished his first solo art exhibition Rude Boy’s 101. Ruud is always curious and is constantly on the lookout for new and innovative ways to express himself.