Artist // Calligraffiti artist who blends the modern art of graffiti with the historic art of Arabic calligraphy to encourage peaceful expression and social change. // French/Tunisian artist eL Seed is one of the founding forefathers of modern 'calligraffiti’, a blend of the historic art of Arabic calligraphy and the modern art of graffiti, mixing street culture from Paris and Arabic history to poetic effect. Born to Tunisian parents in the suburbs of Paris, eL Seed spent his formative years juggling different cultures, languages, and identities. Today eL Seed’s pieces have developed out of two worlds colliding, with these two cultures clashing and blending into one another, to form a new identity, a unique mark and a distinctive style. eL Seed uses intricate composition in his work to call not only on the words and their meaning, but also on their movement, which ultimately lures the viewer into a different state of mind. Working primarily with subjects that seem contradictory, eL Seed’s art reflects the reality of mankind and the world we live in today. In mid-2012 eL Seed completed his largest piece to date, in the southern Tunisian city of Gabes, a 47 metre high minaret on the Jara mosque, spreading a message of unity, peace and tolerance. eL Seed's art has been shown on the walls of many cities around the world including Paris, New York, Jeddah and Melbourne, Rio Di Janeiro in addition to his home country Tunisia. In 2013, Condé Nast Traveler recognized him as one of the years ‘visionaries’ for advocating peaceful expression and social progress through his work. And proving that street art can collide with luxury to fashionable effect, in 2013 eL Seed collaborated with the international luxury maison of Louis Vuitton, where he created a unique calligraffiti design for the classic monogram scarf, as part of the Foulards d’Artiste project. He is the first and only Arab to have ever designed a collaborative product for the famous French brand. In March 2014, eL Seed launched his first book, Lost Walls, documenting his calligraffiti journey across Tunisia. // eL Seed fuses Arabic calligraphy with graffiti to paint colorful, swirling messages of hope and peace on buildings from Tunisia to Paris. The artist and TED Fellow shares the story of his most ambitious project yet: a mural painted across 50 buildings in Manshiyat Naser, a district of Cairo, Egypt, that can only be fully seen from a nearby mountain. // What does this gorgeous street art say? It's Arabic poetry, inspired by bold graffiti and placed where a message of hope and peace can do the most good. In this quietly passionate talk, artist and TED Fellow eL Seed describes his ambition: to create art so beautiful it needs no translation. // French/Tunisian artist eL Seed is one of the founding forefathers of modern 'calligraffiti’, a blend of the historic art of Arabic calligraphy and the modern art of graffiti, mixing street culture from Paris and Arabic history to poetic effect. Born to Tunisian parents in the suburbs of Paris, eL Seed spent his formative years juggling different cultures, languages, and identities. Today eL Seed’s pieces have developed out of two worlds colliding, with these two cultures clashing and blending into one another, to form a new identity, a unique mark and a distinctive style. eL Seed uses intricate composition in his work to call not only on the words and their meaning, but also on their movement, which ultimately lures the viewer into a different state of mind. Working primarily with subjects that seem contradictory, eL Seed’s art reflects the reality of mankind and the world we live in today. In mid-2012 eL Seed completed his largest piece to date, in the southern Tunisian city of Gabes, a 47 metre high minaret on the Jara mosque, spreading a message of unity, peace and tolerance. eL Seed's art has been shown on the walls of many cities around the world including Paris, New York, Jeddah and Melbourne, Rio Di Janeiro in addition to his home country Tunisia. In 2013, Condé Nast Traveler recognized him as one of the years ‘visionaries’ for advocating peaceful expression and social progress through his work. And proving that street art can collide with luxury to fashionable effect, in 2013 eL Seed collaborated with the international luxury maison of Louis Vuitton, where he created a unique calligraffiti design for the classic monogram scarf, as part of the Foulards d’Artiste project. He is the first and only Arab to have ever designed a collaborative product for the famous French brand. In March 2014, eL Seed launched his first book, Lost Walls, documenting his calligraffiti journey across Tunisia. // Artist // design, buildings, cities, paint

United States

Madame Gandhi is an award-winning artist and activist recognized for her uplifting electronic music and advocacy for gender liberation. She gained prominence for her music production following a notable event at the London Marathon. With a background as a drummer for renowned artists, she has received accolades such as being named a TED Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30 in Music. Madame Gandhi's mission revolves around spreading messages of positivity, personal expression, and human empowerment through her music and voice. // Kiran Gandhi strives to use her music and voice as a medium for a message about positivity, personal expression, and human thriving. She advocates for gender liberation, personal power, and the ability of music—specifically percussion, drums, and electronic music—to uplift and empower the self. // Kiran Gandhi is an accomplished artist and activist known for her uplifting electronic music and advocacy for gender liberation. With a background as a drummer for renowned artists, she has garnered recognition for her music production and received prestigious accolades such as being named a TED Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30 in Music. Kiran Gandhi's work revolves around spreading messages of positivity, personal expression, and human empowerment through her music and voice. She uses her platform to advocate for gender liberation, personal power, and the transformative potential of music, particularly percussion, drums, and electronic music, in fostering self-empowerment and societal change. // Activist // Electronic musician and gender-rights advocate blurring the boundaries between art, performance and activism. // Website: Madame Gandhi is an LA-based artist and activist known for her uplifting, percussive electronic music and positive message about gender liberation and personal power. She began producing music in 2015, after her story running the London Marathon free-bleeding to combat menstrual stigma went viral around the world. She has been listed as Forbes 30 Under 30 in Music, and her 2020 TED Talk about conscious music consumption has been viewed over a million times. “Waiting For Me,” shot in Mumbai, India, won the Music Video Jury Award at SXSW Film Festival in 2021 and her seasonal merch drops have been featured in fashion outlets like The New York Times, Vogue and GQ India. Her third studio album, Vibrations, is slated for release in 2022, following the release of her previous albums Voices (2016) and Visions (2019). // Popular music is often riddled with misogynistic lyrics that objectify and demean women ... so why are we listening and dancing to it? Performing a sample of her original song "Top Knot Turn Up" and sharing clips from her female-directed music video of "See Me Thru," activist and musician Madame Gandhi explains why she's making sex-positive music that doesn't contribute to anyone's oppression -- and calls on music lovers to get down to tunes that empower everyone. // Kiran Gandhi is an accomplished artist and activist known for her uplifting electronic music and advocacy for gender liberation. With a background as a drummer for renowned artists, she has garnered recognition for her music production and received prestigious accolades such as being named a TED Fellow and Forbes 30 Under 30 in Music. Kiran Gandhi's work revolves around spreading messages of positivity, personal expression, and human empowerment through her music and voice. She uses her platform to advocate for gender liberation, personal power, and the transformative potential of music, particularly percussion, drums, and electronic music, in fostering self-empowerment and societal change. // Activist // music, personal expression, percussion, activism, gender liberation, empowerment, gender, advocacy, artist, women // London|USA|California|United States|England|Oakland

London|USA|California|United States|England|Oakland

Kenya

African tech entrepreneur // Juliana Rotich is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ushahidi Inc, a non-profit tech company, born in Africa, which specializes in developing free and open source software for information collection, interactive mapping and data curation.  Ushahidi builds tools for democratizing information, increasing transparency and lowering the barriers for individuals to share their stories. Through Crowdmap.com, Swiftly.org and accompanying mobile applications, Ushahidi is expanding its global footprint and making crowdsourcing tools available and useful. Juliana has worked in the telecommunications and data warehousing industry for over ten years.  She is originally from Kenya, with a Computer Science degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She is a Technologist, TED Senior Fellow and currently serves on World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Information Communications Technology. She co- founded Mobisoko, a mobile marketplace for language and location relevant apps in Africa. She speaks at international conferences about technology, innovation, mobile technology, open source, and Africa. Past conferences she has spoken at include Lift, DEMO, TTI Vanguard, TransMediale, WSIS, DLD Women, Guardian Activate World Economic Forum -Davos, and ARS Electronica. She believes in the transformational power of technology to address social problems in the world, particularly in Africa. She was named one of the Top 100 women by the Guardian newspaper and top 2 women in Technology 2011, and Social Entrepreneur of the year 2011 by The World Economic Forum. // I am a Fintech leader and technology entrepreneur of repute, keynote speaker, consultant, advisor and Board Member/Advisor with years of experience spearheading and scaling technology companies; operating in markets domestic and international. My personal mantra is to build impactful technology, fix problems, and help others. I enjoy forging powerful partnerships to accomplish transformational projects and provide opportunities for innovators in East Africa. Wherever technology and science can help to do these three things and accelerate progress, I also enjoy figuring out that intersection and adding constructive value. I champion for internet connectivity, science education, Learning Lions in Turkana and works to support entrepreneurs to scale their work and impact. I also am an angel investor in FinTech and other startups. Contact Me No // Tech communities are booming all over Africa, says Nairobi-based Juliana Rotich, cofounder of the open-source software Ushahidi. But it remains challenging to get and stay connected in a region with frequent blackouts and spotty Internet hookups. So Rotich and friends developed BRCK, offering resilient connectivity for the developing world. // I am a Fintech leader and technology entrepreneur of repute, keynote speaker, consultant, advisor and Board Member/Advisor with years of experience spearheading and scaling technology companies; operating in markets domestic and international. My personal mantra is to build impactful technology, fix problems, and help others. I enjoy forging powerful partnerships to accomplish transformational projects and provide opportunities for innovators in East Africa. Wherever technology and science can help to do these three things and accelerate progress, I also enjoy figuring out that intersection and adding constructive value. I champion for internet connectivity, science education, Learning Lions in Turkana and works to support entrepreneurs to scale their work and impact. I also am an angel investor in FinTech and other startups. Contact Me No // African tech entrepreneur // technology, crowdsourcing, education, entrepreneurship, fintech, data, software development management, technology ecosystems, resilience, open source business/technology, environmentalism, women, open source, computing/it, mobile applications, transparency, science, software, communication, ecosystem // Nairobi County|Kenya|Nairobi

Nairobi County|Kenya|Nairobi

Singapore

Raffles Girls'‚Äã School; Kynetec; Tsinghua University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Raffles Girls' School; RGS; Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore; Raffles Junior College; Asymmetrics Research; Grail Insights; TED Fellows Program; National University of Singapore; Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Beijing Chapter; Tsinghua University; Eco-Business; Chow and Lin; The Poverty Line project

Chow and Lin is an organization that focuses on various social issues through art, particularly using photography and visual arts. They explore topics such as poverty, ecological impact, and social structures through their exhibitions, installations, and projects. Their work delves into the complexities of global issues, including the impact of fish farming, the representation of poverty through food, and the exploration of societal structures. Through collaborations with various organizations and participation in international exhibitions, Chow and Lin aim to provoke critical thinking and discussions on important societal matters. // Asymmetrics Research specializes in providing customized market research solutions for the food and agriculture sector in China and the APAC region. With a focus on understanding the dynamic drivers of change in the industry, they offer rigorous data collection and analysis to help clients make strategic business decisions. Their expertise lies in tracking trends, needs, and gaps in various aspects of the food and agriculture value chain, including food products, food service, food retail, food and ag technology, logistics and distribution, and the rural economy. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, they deliver insights on market sizing, end-user studies, regulation and policy impact, sales and distribution channels, supply chain mapping, competition analysis, and technology trends. Asymmetrics Research aims to empower businesses with fact-based analysis to navigate the complexities of the food and agriculture market landscape in China and APAC. // Huiyi impacts commercial and public policy strategies from multi-method data-driven insights. She excels in cross-disciplinary collaborations to create transformational partnerships for public policy review, business market entry and product launch. 15-year career across China and Singapore in private and public sectors. She led two global market research groups' China custom market research businesses supporting Fortune 500 clientele. She has also formulated national enterprise development economic policies and programs. She understands stakeholders' strategic purpose, has strong communication skills, and works across teams for joint innovations. She has founded and now manages a market research and consultancy practice, Asymmetrics Research. Co-artist at Chow and Lin. The crux of the artistic practice lies in the methodology of statistical, mathematical and computational techniques to address global issues. Their work have been exhibited internationally, including St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, Beijing’s CAFA Museum and Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Photography. They won the Luma Rencontres Book Dummy Award, and Falling Walls x Berlin Science Week (Science in the Arts) for The Poverty Line project. Spoken at UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 5th Session of the Committee on Social Development, Singapore Summit 2019 Young Societal Leaders program, Channel News Asia, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, New York Parsons School of Design, TedX conferences. // A global community of over 500 remarkable individuals working on-the-ground on world-changing ideas -- the doers, makers, inventors, technologists, filmmakers and photographers, musicians and artists, nonprofit leaders, activists, educators, scientists, entrepreneurs. // Why Asymmetrics? We understand the natural disorder of economic and social systems. We partner clients to deliver reliable, concise answers on "so-what" for informed decisions. The difference: 40+ years of combined customized market research expertise in China and the region; Experience with Fortune 500 companies, academics, senior officials; Knowing the critical points and advising on necessary judgment calls. Focus on providing customized market research on: Consumer products and services; Food; Technology application; Healthcare; Manufacturing; Rural economy.www.asymmetricsresearch.com // The Poverty Line is one of the major artworks by Chow and Lin. It explores a simple question: what does poverty mean? This visual project began in China in 2010 and has since expanded to 31 countries and territories across 6 continents. The Poverty Line uses the universal lens of food to examine the choices you would face if you lived at the poverty line. The project takes a typological photographic approach over time. The images address the complex issues of global poverty using economics, photography and food choices. The project has been exhibited as large scale installations in Paris, Georgia, Hong Kong, Beijing, Taipei. It has been extensively featured in international media including BBC, Le Monde, CNN, Foreign Policy and is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago and Central Academy of Fine Art Museum, Beijing. // Kynetec is the world’s largest market research provider for agriculture and animal health, headquartered in UK. Clients comprise top 10 global agriculture and animal health companies, and large local agriculture groups. Since its management buy-out, it has made strategic acquisitions such as IPSOS’ North America agriculture and animal health business and Kleffmann Group. It has 950 research professionals based in 30 offices across 5 continents. I led the China custom research business, and I was responsible for business development, client management, research solution building and team leadership. We provide solutions for client problems such as market opportunity assessment, post-launch brand health evaluation, pricing review and campaign evaluation. Research methodologies used comprise primary (e.g. surveys, in-depth interviews, FGDs) and secondary desk research, and quantitative and qualitative analysis. // Grail Research is a global customized research agency founded by the Monitor Group and was under the Integreon Group. Our focus industries are TMT, Healthcare, Consumer Goods/Services, and our clients are mainly Fortune 500 companies. We address clients’ business problems by designing project approach and methodologies (secondary research, qualitative and quantitative research) and making data-driven recommendations. I led the China office operations, and am responsible for project management, client engagement, business development and oversight of office and team development matters. Examples of projects led:- Assess opportunities for technology application in education and healthcare sectors to support market potential assessment and entry strategy- Evaluation of China cross-border e-commerce platforms and consumer behavior to inform online vs offline retail strategy- Assess business prospects and competitive positioning of leading pharmaceutical manufacturer as part of commercial due diligence // Eco-Business is the leading media and business intelligence company dedicated to sustainable development and ESG performance in the Asia Pacific. We provide ESG research and consulting on a wide range of issues, and create thought-leadership platforms which improve business practices, inform policy and foster stakeholder collaboration. As independent director for Greater China, my focus is on building our business and research in the region. www.eco-business.com // Eco-Business is the leading media and business intelligence company dedicated to sustainable development and ESG performance in the Asia Pacific. We provide ESG research and consulting on a wide range of issues, and create thought-leadership platforms which improve business practices, inform policy and foster stakeholder collaboration. As independent director for Greater China, my focus is on building our business and research in the region. www.eco-business.com // - Formulated policies and financing programs to support companies expanding overseas - Developed policies and incentives to attract global offshore trading firms- Partnered govt agencies and banks to launch financing programs for startups and small and medium enterprises- Launched nation-wide survey of businesses to improve regulatory environment // ACE is a social movement for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. ACE helps aspiring Singapore entrepreneurs start up by building a vibrant community and connecting them to resources, people and knowledge.The ACE Beijing Chapter is the first Overseas Chapter for ACE. Connected to entrepreneurship communities in China and Singapore, ACE Beijing builds networks and platforms to help Singapore startups access opportunities in Beijing and China. // Raffles Girls'​ School; Kynetec; Tsinghua University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Raffles Girls' School; RGS; Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore; Raffles Junior College; Asymmetrics Research; Grail Insights; TED Fellows Program; National University of Singapore; Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Beijing Chapter; Tsinghua University; Eco-Business; Chow and Lin; The Poverty Line project // Huiyi Lin is a seasoned professional with a 15-year career spanning China and Singapore, where she has made significant impacts in both the private and public sectors. She is adept at leveraging multi-method data-driven insights to influence commercial and public policy strategies, excelling in cross-disciplinary collaborations to forge transformational partnerships. Huiyi has led global market research groups, formulated national economic policies, and founded Asymmetrics Research, a successful market research and consultancy practice. Additionally, she is a co-artist at Chow and Lin, where her work combines statistical, mathematical, and computational techniques to address global issues, showcased in prestigious international exhibitions. Huiyi's expertise extends to speaking engagements at high-profile events and institutions, demonstrating her strong communication skills and strategic acumen. // Art opens up new ways to view the world and ask critical questions. Our works make poverty visible, breaks down stereotyped assumptions and builds empathy that we are part of the same system. // Huiyi Lin is a versatile professional with a rich background in market research, economic policy formulation, and art. With a career spanning over 15 years across China and Singapore, she has demonstrated a keen ability to leverage data-driven insights to drive impactful strategies in both the private and public sectors. Huiyi is the founder of Asymmetrics Research, a consultancy specializing in tailored market research solutions for the food and agriculture sector in China and the APAC region. Her expertise in tracking trends, analyzing market dynamics, and providing strategic recommendations has empowered businesses to navigate the complexities of the industry landscape effectively. Furthermore, as a co-artist at Chow and Lin, Huiyi combines statistical, mathematical, and computational techniques to address pressing global issues through art, aiming to provoke critical discussions and raise awareness on social matters. Her multidisciplinary approach, strong communication skills, and strategic acumen underscore her commitment to driving positive change through research and artistic expression. // Visual artist + poverty researcher // Huiyi Lin is a versatile professional with a rich background in market research, economic policy formulation, and art. With a career spanning over 15 years across China and Singapore, she has demonstrated a keen ability to leverage data-driven insights to drive impactful strategies in both the private and public sectors. Huiyi is the founder of Asymmetrics Research, a consultancy specializing in tailored market research solutions for the food and agriculture sector in China and the APAC region. Her expertise in tracking trends, analyzing market dynamics, and providing strategic recommendations has empowered businesses to navigate the complexities of the industry landscape effectively. Furthermore, as a co-artist at Chow and Lin, Huiyi combines statistical, mathematical, and computational techniques to address pressing global issues through art, aiming to provoke critical discussions and raise awareness on social matters. Her multidisciplinary approach, strong communication skills, and strategic acumen underscore her commitment to driving positive change through research and artistic expression. // Visual artist + poverty researcher // technology, entrepreneurship, food technology, fish, data collection, led, education, esg, data, global poverty, finance, research, animal health, agriculture, activism, supply chain, farming, design, sustainable development , food systems, policy, monitoring, rural community development, food system, economics, public policy, data-driven, community development, foster partnerships, logistics, agtech, campaigns, rural, science, food, visual artist, poverty, communication, farmed fish, inequality, ecology, manufacturing, consumerism // Singapore|Greater China|China|Beijing|UK

Singapore|Greater China|China|Beijing|UK

United States

Planet hunter // Dr Jessie Christiansen is an astrophysicist with the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at Caltech, where she searches for, characterises and catalogues planets orbiting other stars. She is the lead scientist on the NASA Exoplanet Archive, and has worked on the NASA Kepler, K2, and now TESS missions to characterize the demographics of exoplanets, and to find and study the nearest planetary systems to Earth – systems that will be perfect for further study with the next generation of ground- and space-based telescopes. She is hunting for Earth 2.0 - and you can too. // What are the planets outside our solar system like? Astrophysicist and TED Fellow Jessie Christiansen has helped find thousands of them (and counting), and the variety is more wonderful and wild than you might imagine. She shares details on the trends emerging from the data -- including the intriguing possibility of "super-Earths" -- and what the discovery of exoplanets means for existential questions like: Where do we come from, and how did we get here? // Dr Jessie Christiansen is an astrophysicist with the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at Caltech, where she searches for, characterises and catalogues planets orbiting other stars. She is the lead scientist on the NASA Exoplanet Archive, and has worked on the NASA Kepler, K2, and now TESS missions to characterize the demographics of exoplanets, and to find and study the nearest planetary systems to Earth – systems that will be perfect for further study with the next generation of ground- and space-based telescopes. She is hunting for Earth 2.0 - and you can too. // Planet hunter // citizen scientist, data archiving and discovery, science, citizen science, astronomy, data, solar // California|United States|Pasadena|USA

California|United States|Pasadena|USA

United Kingdom

Killing Architects; Financial Times

I am a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist and licensed architect. I use open source techniques, geospatial analysis and 3d modelling to investigate and tell stories, then share these techniques with others through talks and workshops. In Migration Trail, this meant telling stories of migrants travelling to Europe in real time, using maps, data and social media; or finding playful, light ways to open up discussion about death and architecture with the Death in Venice exhibition. My current projects include current projects an investigation of the network of detention camps in Xinjiang, China, together with BuzzFeed News, which won the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting; and a real world game about surveillance in public space, with game designers Free Ice Cream. Creative production: as well as setting out the creative vision, I do most of the strategic production for my projects - designing the project itself through a process of design thinking, recruiting creative teams, bringing together partners, fund raising and grant writing. I also consult for other creative teams, helping them design their projects to ensure they meet their goals. Workshops: I give workshops to share tools and approaches related to my work. Subjects include: personal data privacy and geolocation; social media and surveillance in cities; finding data and making maps with simple online tools; satellite image analysis. // A Pulitzer Prize winning project to locate and analyse a secret network of internment camps in Xinjiang, China. Together with BuzzFeed News // Killing Architects; Financial Times // Alison Killing is a versatile professional with a background in investigative journalism and architecture. She leverages open-source techniques, geospatial analysis, and 3D modeling to uncover and narrate compelling stories. Alison is known for her innovative approach to storytelling, as seen in projects like Migration Trail and Death in Venice exhibition. Her recent work includes a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into the network of detention camps in Xinjiang, China, in collaboration with BuzzFeed News. Alison is also actively involved in creative production, strategic project design, team recruitment, partnership building, and fundraising. Additionally, she conducts workshops on topics such as personal data privacy, social media surveillance, data mapping, and satellite image analysis to empower others in the field. // Alison Killing is a multidisciplinary professional blending investigative journalism and architecture to craft compelling narratives. With expertise in open-source techniques, geospatial analysis, and 3D modeling, she uncovers intricate stories with innovation. Noteworthy projects like Migration Trail and the Death in Venice exhibition showcase her unique storytelling approach. Alison's impactful work includes a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation on detention camps in Xinjiang, China, conducted in partnership with BuzzFeed News. Beyond her investigative prowess, she excels in creative production, strategic project design, and team building. Alison also shares her knowledge through workshops on data privacy, social media surveillance, and satellite image analysis, empowering others in the field. // Architect // An architect and urban designer, Killing uses journalism, filmmaking and exhibitions to help people better understand the built environment. She explores the relationship between death and modern architecture, looking at how cities are rebuilt after disaster. // Alison is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and licensed architect. She works with maps and data on investigations and storytelling projects. Her most recent work is an investigation that used satellite imagery and architectural expertise, as well as interviews with two dozen former prisoners, to identify a vast new infrastructure built by the Chinese government for the mass detention of Muslims, together with Megha Rajagopalan and Christo Buschek. This project won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting. Previously she created and produced online documentary Migration Trail, a mapped data visualisation that tells the stories of two migrants travelling to Europe in real time, over ten days. She is now working on a series of projects with investigative journalism teams on satellite imagery, surveillance in cities and migration and to develop new reporting tools for investigations. I'm currently setting up a non-profit investigations team. You can find out more here: https://www.killingarchitects.com/support-our-new-investigations-org // Data-driven journalism can help pinpoint truths and expose corruption -- even without physical access to where it's happening. Sharing the remarkable discovery of massive alleged detention camps in Xinjiang, China, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and TED Fellow Alison Killing calls for more reliable open-source data, like satellite and social media imagery, to shine a light on the world's darkest places. // "If you want to go out and start your own cemetery" in the UK, says Alison Killing, "you kind of can." She thinks a lot about where we die and are buried -- and in this talk, the architect and TED Fellow offers an eye-opening economic and social perspective on an overlooked feature of our towns and cities: the cemetery. Speaking specifically to UK laws, she unpacks the fascinating, sometimes funny, often contradictory laws about where you can be buried. // In this short, provocative talk, architect Alison Killing looks at buildings where death and dying happen -- cemeteries, hospitals, homes. The way we die is changing, and the way we build for dying ... well, maybe that should too. It's a surprisingly fascinating look at a hidden aspect of our cities, and our lives. // Alison Killing is a multidisciplinary professional blending investigative journalism and architecture to craft compelling narratives. With expertise in open-source techniques, geospatial analysis, and 3D modeling, she uncovers intricate stories with innovation. Noteworthy projects like Migration Trail and the Death in Venice exhibition showcase her unique storytelling approach. Alison's impactful work includes a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation on detention camps in Xinjiang, China, conducted in partnership with BuzzFeed News. Beyond her investigative prowess, she excels in creative production, strategic project design, and team building. Alison also shares her knowledge through workshops on data privacy, social media surveillance, and satellite image analysis, empowering others in the field. // Architect // infrastructure, architecture, buildings, cities, data, urban, geospatial analysis, design, visual investigations, satellite, migration, open source, urban design, built environment, urban design and planning, digital media, data-driven, journalism, documentary, osint, remote-sensing, expose, government, investigative journalism // Netherlands|United Kingdom|London|England|Rotterdam|UK

Netherlands|United Kingdom|London|England|Rotterdam|UK

Oman

Harvard Kennedy School; University College Roosevelt; Utrecht University; Modern College of Business and Science; University of Delaware; Sultan Qaboos University; Fisheries Development Oman S.A.O.C (FDO); Hydrom; Saïd Business School, University of Oxford; World Aquaculture Society; Harvard University

Rumaitha Al Busaidi is an Omani marine scientist, advocate for environmental youth leadership, and champion for Arab women. She is also an award-winning radio presenter and sportswoman, known as the first female soccer analyst in the Arab World. Rumaitha has embarked on various adventures worldwide, promoting gender equity and sustainability. She founded WomeX, a platform using AI and mentoring to empower women professionally and personally. Her mission is to inspire women to achieve their full potential through a culturally-relevant community. // Rumaitha Al Busaidi is a prominent Omani climate change and women's rights activist, radio presenter, marine scientist, entrepreneur, and former footballer. She holds multiple degrees in environmental science and public administration from prestigious universities. Rumaitha is known for her work in advocating for women's rights, environmental issues, and youth leadership. She has founded initiatives like WomeX to empower Arab women in entrepreneurship and has been recognized internationally for her contributions, including being named to the BBC's 100 Women list. // Harvard Kennedy School; University College Roosevelt; Utrecht University; Modern College of Business and Science; University of Delaware; Sultan Qaboos University; Fisheries Development Oman S.A.O.C (FDO); Hydrom; Saïd Business School, University of Oxford; World Aquaculture Society; Harvard University // My mission is to drive sustainable development and environmental conservation, particularly in Oman and the broader Arab region. I aim to integrate sustainability into core economic strategies, advocate for renewable energy solutions, and empower communities, especially women and youth, to actively participate in climate action. The questions that drive my work include: How can we effectively transition to a low-carbon economy? How can we leverage local knowledge and resources for global environmental solutions? And, how can we ensure that vulnerable communities are resilient in the face of climate change? Through my efforts, I hope to create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for all. // Rumaitha Al Busaidi is a multifaceted Omani professional with expertise in marine science, environmental advocacy, women's rights, and youth leadership. She is recognized for her pioneering work as the first female soccer analyst in the Arab World and her efforts to promote gender equity and sustainability globally. Rumaitha is the founder of WomeX, a platform utilizing AI and mentoring to empower women professionally and personally. With a strong academic background in environmental science and public administration, she is dedicated to driving sustainable development and environmental conservation in Oman and the wider Arab region. Through her initiatives and advocacy, Rumaitha strives to inspire women to reach their full potential and actively engage in climate action for a more equitable and resilient future. // Adventurer + entrepreneur // Rumaitha is an Omani marine scientist and an advocate of women empowerment as a solution to the climate crisis. Rumaitha currently serves as director of the first and only environmental NGO in Oman called; Environment Society of Oman. An award-winning radio presenter and sportswoman, Rumaitha is considered to be the first female soccer analyst in the Arab World. She continues to be a trailblazer setting an example for Arab women by visiting over 70 countries solo. As someone who has personally witnessed climate change impacts as a result of her expedition to the Antarctic and becoming the youngest Omani in history to step foot on the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth, her passion and advocacy for climate using the lens of women and girls empowerment has grown even stronger. So, during her time at Harvard, she founded WomeX; a platform providing culturally-relevant mentoring for Arab Women to achieve their 10x potential. // What does gender equality have to do with climate change? A lot more than you might think. Empowering women and girls around the world is one of the most important ways to combat carbon pollution and is projected to reduce CO2-equivalent gases by a total of 80 billion tons. Entrepreneur, scientist and TED Fellow Rumaitha Al Busaidi looks at why women are more likely to be impacted and displaced by climate catastrophes -- and explains why access to education, employment and family planning for all women and girls is the key to our climate future. // Rumaitha Al Busaidi is a multifaceted Omani professional with expertise in marine science, environmental advocacy, women's rights, and youth leadership. She is recognized for her pioneering work as the first female soccer analyst in the Arab World and her efforts to promote gender equity and sustainability globally. Rumaitha is the founder of WomeX, a platform utilizing AI and mentoring to empower women professionally and personally. With a strong academic background in environmental science and public administration, she is dedicated to driving sustainable development and environmental conservation in Oman and the wider Arab region. Through her initiatives and advocacy, Rumaitha strives to inspire women to reach their full potential and actively engage in climate action for a more equitable and resilient future. // Adventurer + entrepreneur // technology, renewable, water, travel, hydrogen, entrepreneurship, education, fish, climate action, carbon pollution, youth leadership, jobs, equity, job skills training, gender equity, research, adventure, resilience, activism, climate, local knowledge, athlete, women's rights, rights, environmental policy and advocacy, sustainable development , adventurer, policy, community empowerment champion, women, clean energy, oceans, carbon, pollution, sustainability strategist, climate change, gender, youth, environmental consciousness, aquaculture, green hydrogen technology, advocacy, marine scientist, environment, environmental impact, human population, women empowerment, conservation, renewable energy, girls, low-carbon, empowerment, science, food, environmental conservation, vulnerability, equality, green hydrogen specialist, low-carbon economy, communication, artificial intelligence, energy, family planning, fishing, environmental policy expert // Muscat|Muscat Governorate|Oman

Muscat|Muscat Governorate|Oman

Philippines

The organization focuses on discussing various topics related to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the impact on society, the increase in cases, and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in keeping up with evolving medical knowledge. // Using science to drive the most important public health issues is probably the one thing I have dedicated my life to. This was manifest in the COVID-19 pandemic where I served as a senior adviser to the government and I even did a TED-like talk that convinced the government to shut down early which ended up saving hundreds of thousands of lives: https://mb.com.ph/2022/04/26/how-my-ted-training-helped-me-save-filipinos-from-covid/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGde5jjBt1c Other than the COVID-19 work, I've been working in the HIV space trying to get people to pay attention to the dangerous evolution of HIV where new subtypes (equivalent of variants for SARS-CoV-2) are driving increases in transmission and development of drug resistance in many parts of the world which have limited resources. One of the innovation we developed is a portable HIV drug resistance test that is accurate, cheap and portable which recently won Innovation of the Year at IDWeek 2023: https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20231016/video-portable-hiv-drug-resistance-testing-wins-idsa-incubator-award Finally, I've also been very active in restoring vaccine confidence in our country especially after the problems with the disastrous launch of Dengvaxia (https://fellowsblog.ted.com/what-went-wrong-with-the-breakthrough-dengue-vaccine-cf8519cb90c8) and the problems with antivaxxers during the pandemic. Having a weekly column in the largest national newspaper helps with this advocacy. https://mb.com.ph/author/edselmaurice-salvana // Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana is a dedicated public health expert who has made significant contributions in the fields of infectious diseases, particularly in the context of HIV and the COVID-19 pandemic. His work involves utilizing scientific evidence to address pressing public health issues, such as advocating for early interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic that saved numerous lives. Dr. Salvana's expertise extends to the development of innovative solutions, including a portable HIV drug resistance test that has been recognized for its accuracy and affordability. Additionally, he is actively involved in restoring vaccine confidence in the community, particularly following challenges like the Dengvaxia incident and misinformation spread by anti-vaccine groups. Through his advocacy efforts and regular columns in a leading national newspaper, Dr. Salvana continues to drive conversations on critical health topics and promote evidence-based practices for the betterment of public health. // Molecular epidemiologist+ activist // Edsel is and infectious diseases physican and is currently Professor and Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the Philippines’ National Institutes of Health. He is also adjunct faculty for Global Health at the University of Pittsburgh. He has been awarded an Outstanding Young Scientist from the National Academy of Science and Technology, the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World award from JCI International, and a Young Physician Leader Award from the Interacademy Medical Panel of the World Academy of Sciences. He was chosen as a TED Fellow in 2017 and as a Senior TED Fellow in 2020 in recognition of his work in restoring vaccine confidence and improving science communication to the public. His TED talk on the dangerous evolution of HIV (https://www.ted.com/talks/edsel_salvana_the_dangerous_evolution_of_hiv) has been viewed 1.4 million times. He was awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu, Rank of Magalong by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for his invaluable life-saving contributions as a senior scientific adviser of the national COVID-19 pandemic response. He was also named to the "Asia's Most Influential" list by Tatler Asia for his pandemic work. Edsel’s research interests include HIV molecular epidemiology and drug resistance. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His pioneering work in HIV in the Philippines identified a shift in the predominant clade from subtype B to CRF01_AE as a major factor in one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. He is currently working on near-point of care tests for HIV drug resistance using the MinION platform. He is among the scientists that discovered the P.3 SARS-COV-2 lineage (formerly variant of interest Theta) in the Philippines. Edsel writes a weekly column entitled “Clinical Matters” for the Manila Bulletin which offers scientific perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic. // Think we're winning the battle against HIV? Maybe not, as the next wave of drug-resistant viruses arrives. In an eye-opening talk, TED Fellow Edsel Salvana describes the aggressive HIV subtype AE that's currently plaguing his home of the Philippines -- and warns us about what might become a global epidemic. // Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana is a dedicated public health expert who has made significant contributions in the fields of infectious diseases, particularly in the context of HIV and the COVID-19 pandemic. His work involves utilizing scientific evidence to address pressing public health issues, such as advocating for early interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic that saved numerous lives. Dr. Salvana's expertise extends to the development of innovative solutions, including a portable HIV drug resistance test that has been recognized for its accuracy and affordability. Additionally, he is actively involved in restoring vaccine confidence in the community, particularly following challenges like the Dengvaxia incident and misinformation spread by anti-vaccine groups. Through his advocacy efforts and regular columns in a leading national newspaper, Dr. Salvana continues to drive conversations on critical health topics and promote evidence-based practices for the betterment of public health. // Molecular epidemiologist+ activist // technology, education, public health, infectious diseases, vaccine confidence, infectious disease, research, hiv, policy, antimicrobial resistance, covid, molecular epidemiology, biotech, advocacy, science communication, policy research, science, communication, government, pandemic, disease // Manila|Metro Manila|Philippines

Manila|Metro Manila|Philippines

United Kingdom

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London; Peek Vision; World Economic Forum; St Peter's, York; Harvard University; John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford; TED Conferences; University of Leeds; UBS; Ashoka

Peek Vision is an organization that provides software and tools to implement, optimize, and evaluate eye health services in various settings such as schools, communities, and workplaces. Their software and data intelligence platform aim to make eye health services more efficient, effective, and equitable. By partnering with governments and NGOs, Peek helps strengthen health systems and connect more people to better vision. Their technology optimizes eye health services, leading to greater screening coverage, increased attendance at follow-up appointments, and lower costs per person served. Peek's partnership with organizations has enabled them to bring eye care to millions more people across multiple countries. Their software revolutionizes school eye health screening by providing a user-friendly and effective tool for screening large populations without the need for specialist eye health workers. Peek's impact is evident in the increased access to eye care, improved referral pathways, and the ability to track patients efficiently. Through their work, hundreds of thousands more people have been able to unlock their potential through better vision. Their tools are developed using rigorous scientific methods and are backed by numerous peer-reviewed research studies. Peek's commitment to improving vision and eye health is recognized through various awards and partnerships with leading eye health organizations. // The Vision Catalyst Fund (VCF) is a global organization focused on improving access to eye health services, particularly in lower and middle-income countries. The VCF collaborates with various partners and government agencies to address vision issues, such as presbyopia, by providing essential vision care services and distributing reading glasses. Through innovative approaches and partnerships, the VCF aims to reach vulnerable communities and make a significant impact on people's lives, including their health, education, safety, and livelihoods. The organization is committed to funding catalytic programs, raising capital for eye health, and promoting collaboration among NGOs, the private sector, and government entities to create sustainable and equitable eye health programs. Additionally, the VCF works on scaling sources of alternative finance and integrating eye health with other issue areas like education and employment. Through its initiatives and partnerships, the VCF strives to ensure that everyone in need has access to vision care, ultimately illuminating the path to clear vision for communities worldwide. // Working at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and undertaking a PhD.PhD project is based in Kenya performing a population based epidemiological study of eye diseases (Cohort Study) to assist in planning health services. Co-founder of Peek Vision - www.peekvision.orgA low-cost smartphone solution for delivering eye care // http://www.ted.com/pages/fellows_TED2014 // London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, U. of London; Peek Vision; World Economic Forum; St Peter's, York; Harvard University; John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford; TED Conferences; University of Leeds; UBS; Ashoka // Andrew Bastawrous is a dedicated professional with a focus on public health and epidemiology. With a background in eye diseases and health services planning, he has contributed significantly to the field through his work at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Andrew is also known for his role as a co-founder of Peek Vision, a project aimed at providing affordable eye care solutions using smartphone technology. His commitment to improving healthcare access and outcomes is evident in his various endeavors and research projects. // More than 1 billion people live with poor vision. Holding back individuals, communities and countries. Evidence demonstrates that improved vision leads to better educational outcomes, increased productivity and livelihoods, safer roads and enhanced wellbeing and quality of life. Despite simple solutions, the vast majority of these people will not get the pair of glasses or 5 minute cataract operation that would return their sight. This is an unacceptable tragedy. Worse still, trend data shows that despite current efforts, the number of people living with treatable vision loss is increasing and is expected to reach 1.8 billion people by 2050. Our dream and work is to reverse this alarming trend with a proven, technology-driven approach. // Andrew Bastawrous is a dedicated public health professional and epidemiologist with a specialization in eye diseases and health services planning. His significant contributions to the field include his work at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. As a co-founder of Peek Vision, Andrew focuses on providing affordable eye care solutions through smartphone technology, aiming to improve healthcare access and outcomes. His commitment to addressing the global issue of poor vision is evident in his research projects and initiatives. Through his work, Andrew strives to reverse the increasing trend of treatable vision loss and ensure that individuals, communities, and countries have access to the eye care they need for improved educational outcomes, productivity, safety, and overall quality of life. // SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR & EYE SURGEON // Kenya-based ophthalmologist who co-founded Peek, a low-cost smartphone ophthalmic tool that delivers eye care in some of the world's most challenging places, to those who need it most. Andrew is an ophthalmologist and research fellow in international eye health at the International Centre for Eye Health. Andrew has worked in Sierra Leone, Peru, Belize, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Uganda and is currently based in Kenya working on the collaborative development and testing of Peek. In 2011, Andrew was awarded a Medical Research Council (MRC) and Fight for Sight Fellowship to undertake the first longitudinal population-based study (follow-up study) of eye disease in Africa and the challenges he faced inspired the idea of a smartphone based ophthalmic tool. He has published over 25 peer-reviewed articles focusing on international eye health and mobile technology in healthcare and has co-authored four book chapters. Andrew was awarded the MRC Max Perutz Science writing Award in 2012 and is currently a TED Fellow. // Professor Andrew Bastawrous is Founder & CEO of Peek Vision Ltd and The Peek Vision Foundation. The company is a social enterprise which develops smartphone technology and public health tools to help eye health organisations increase their impact. He is an Ophthalmologist (Eye Surgeon), and Professor in Global Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine where he teaches on public health for eye health and leads a research portfolio. Andrew has worked and undertaken research in over twenty countries including two years living in Kenya where he was leading a major eye disease study and the development and testing of Peek. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles focusing on public health and mobile technology in healthcare and has co-authored four book chapters. Andrew was made a TED Fellow in 2014 and has given two TED talks which have together been viewed over 2.5 million times. Peek's end-to-end services (Peek Solutions) are being used to transform eye health in low- and middle-income countries including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Pakistan, India and Nepal with new programmes in development. Currently nearly 50 active programmes are using Peek across 12 countries reaching over 1/4 million people each month. Peek’s vision check app, Peek Acuity, launched on Google Play store in 2016 and is a Class I medical device, which has been used in over 190 countries. The work of Andrew and the Peek team has been recognised with generous awards including the Mazda Rebels with a Cause Prize in partnership with TED, the Gifted Citizen 2014 Award, the Index Design Award, and the Rolex Awards for Enterprise. Peek was voted “best social-impact start-up in Europe” by Google and McKinsey in 2016. All prize money has been re-invested in Peek. Andrew has been listed as one of the world’s 30 most influential people in public health, was selected as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum, and is listed as an “Eye Health Leader” by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness. In 2016 he received the Clearly Vision Life Time Achievement Award and was made a Rolex Laureate. In 2018 Andrew was made an Ashoka Fellow and UBS Global Visionary and in 2019 he was declared a “Champion of Change” in The Ophthalmologist magazine’s 2019 Power List. In 2018, Andrew was invited to address the Commonwealth Service in the presence of the British Royal Family, Prime Minister, and a global live TV and radio audience. In his address, Andrew highlighted the transformative effects of regaining lost vision, and the importance of international collaboration in ending avoidable blindness and vision loss worldwide. As part of Peek’s mission to bring vision and health to everyone, Andrew is working with major banks, eye health organisations and funders to develop innovative financing models for eye health, the subject of his 2018 TED Talk. In addition to his work as CEO of Peek, Andrew has worked with astrophysicists to crowdsource retinal data, with National Geographic explorers to reach isolated communities, and with artists and activists to advocate for eye care globally (Project Light). Together with his wife Madeleine, he is establishing a social enterprise micro-bakery model in Kenya that provides employment and healthy food opportunities for the mass market. // In 2011, eye surgeon and TED Fellow Andrew Bastawrous developed a smartphone app that brings quality eye care to remote communities, helping people avoid losing their sight to curable or preventable conditions. Along the way, he noticed a problem: strict funding regulations meant that he could only operate on people with specific diseases, leaving many others without resources for treatment. In this passionate talk, Bastawrous calls for a new health care funding model that's flexible and ambitious -- to deliver better health to everyone, whatever their needs are. // Thirty-nine million people in the world are blind, and the majority lost their sight due to curable and preventable diseases. But how do you test and treat people who live in remote areas, where expensive, bulky eye equipment is hard to come by? TED Fellow Andrew Bastawrous demos a smartphone app and cheap hardware that might help. // Andrew Bastawrous is a dedicated public health professional and epidemiologist with a specialization in eye diseases and health services planning. His significant contributions to the field include his work at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. As a co-founder of Peek Vision, Andrew focuses on providing affordable eye care solutions through smartphone technology, aiming to improve healthcare access and outcomes. His commitment to addressing the global issue of poor vision is evident in his research projects and initiatives. Through his work, Andrew strives to reverse the increasing trend of treatable vision loss and ensure that individuals, communities, and countries have access to the eye care they need for improved educational outcomes, productivity, safety, and overall quality of life. // SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR & EYE SURGEON // technology, education, public health, roads, data, jobs, equity, mhealth, social entrepreneur, finance, technology founder, research, activism, design, global health care, leadership, ophthalmology, purpose, livelihoods, eye surgeon, doctor, tech4good, systems change, systems change , advocacy, vision, hardware, workers, science, food, vulnerability, software, government, low-cost, disease // Uganda|United Kingdom|India|Oxford|England|Kenya

Uganda|United Kingdom|India|Oxford|England|Kenya

United States

Synthetic biologist // Synthetic biologist using genetically programmed bacteria to create a cancer diagnostic test which, after being ingested, changes the color of urine to signal the presence of a tumor in the body. // Tal Danino's research explores the emerging frontier of combining biology, engineering, and medicine. His work as a synthetic biologist focuses on reprogramming bacteria to detect and treat diseases in our bodies such as cancer. Originally from Los Angeles, Tal received B.S. degrees from UCLA in Physics, Chemistry, and Math, and received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UCSD. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently an assistant professor at Columbia University in New York. Tal's work has been published in scientific journals and highlighted in several popular press venues. He actively develops "Bio-Art" projects that share perspectives and stories about science with recent projects featured in the New York Times, WIRED, and the Wall Street Journal. // Liver cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to detect, but synthetic biologist Tal Danino had a left-field thought: What if we could create a probiotic, edible bacteria that was "programmed" to find liver tumors? His insight exploits something we're just beginning to understand about bacteria: their power of quorum sensing, or doing something together once they reach critical mass. Danino, a TED Fellow, explains how quorum sensing works -- and how clever bacteria working together could someday change cancer treatment. // Tal Danino's research explores the emerging frontier of combining biology, engineering, and medicine. His work as a synthetic biologist focuses on reprogramming bacteria to detect and treat diseases in our bodies such as cancer. Originally from Los Angeles, Tal received B.S. degrees from UCLA in Physics, Chemistry, and Math, and received his Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UCSD. He did a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently an assistant professor at Columbia University in New York. Tal's work has been published in scientific journals and highlighted in several popular press venues. He actively develops "Bio-Art" projects that share perspectives and stories about science with recent projects featured in the New York Times, WIRED, and the Wall Street Journal. // Synthetic biologist // research, technology, probiotics, synthetic biology, science, cancer, bioengineering, disease // New York|United States|USA

New York|United States|USA

Canada

North Carolina State University; Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics; Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge; Caltech; Astrophysics Group, School of Physics, University of Melbourne; Princeton University

Dr. Katherine (Katie) Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist specializing in cosmology, focusing on topics such as dark matter, the early universe, and the ultimate fate of the cosmos. She holds the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. Dr. Mack is known for her research on dark matter and the early universe, as well as her efforts to make physics more accessible to the public. She has authored the book "The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)" and contributed to various publications like Scientific American, Slate, and BBC's Science Focus. Additionally, she engages in science outreach through public lectures, school visits, and media appearances, aiming to increase access to scientific knowledge. Dr. Mack's research interests include dark matter, vacuum decay, and cosmic dawn and reionization, exploring fundamental aspects of the universe's evolution. // Cosmology researcher investigating dark matter, galaxy formation and evolution, astroparticle physics, and the early universe. Also working with Perimeter's outreach and science communication teams to share physics with the world. // Postdoctoral research fellowship in theoretical astrophysics funded by an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA). Based in the Astrophysics Group in the School of Physics. // Postdoctoral research fellowship in theoretical astrophysics funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. // Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Physics working in theoretical cosmology; including dark matter, the early universe, galaxy formation, and astro-particle theory. Member of NC State's new Leadership in Public Science Cluster, working to bring science and the public together in new and innovative ways. // North Carolina State University; Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics; Kavli Institute for Cosmology, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge; Caltech; Astrophysics Group, School of Physics, University of Melbourne; Princeton University // Katie Mack is a cosmology researcher with a focus on dark matter, galaxy formation, astroparticle physics, and the early universe. With a background in theoretical astrophysics, she has held postdoctoral research fellowships funded by prestigious organizations like the Australian Research Council and the Science and Technology Facilities Council. Katie has also served as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Physics, specializing in theoretical cosmology, including areas such as dark matter, the early universe, and galaxy formation. She is actively involved in science communication and outreach efforts, collaborating with Perimeter's teams to make physics accessible to a wider audience and is a member of NC State's Leadership in Public Science Cluster, aiming to bridge the gap between science and the public through innovative approaches. // In my academic work, my main drive is to better understand the fundamental physics that governs the functioning and evolution of the cosmos. I hope that my research contributes to this global, collaborative effort in cosmology. Outside of academia, my hope is that through my public engagement, science writing, and presence as a public scientist, I can help connect people to the cosmos and help them feel more empowered to explore deep fundamental scientific questions. // Dr. Katherine (Katie) Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist specializing in cosmology, with a particular focus on dark matter, the early universe, and the ultimate fate of the cosmos. Holding the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Dr. Mack is recognized for her research on dark matter, vacuum decay, and cosmic dawn and reionization. She has contributed significantly to the field through her work on galaxy formation, astroparticle physics, and theoretical cosmology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Mack is deeply committed to science communication and outreach, engaging in public lectures, media appearances, and science writing to make physics more accessible to a wider audience and bridge the gap between science and the public. // Cosmologist // Theoretical cosmologist studying the history, evolution, and long-term fate of the universe. Science writer and public speaker. Very online. Author of New York Times Notable Book about our ultimate cosmic fate, "The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)". // In this fascinating conversation, cosmologist and TED Fellow Katie Mack delves into everything from the Big Bang theory to what we see at the edge of the observable universe to a few ways the cosmos might end. Stay tuned to hear Mack recite an original poem on the wonder and marvel of existence. (This conversation, hosted by deputy director of the TED Fellows program, Lily James Olds, was part of a TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.) // The universe started with a bang -- but how will it end? With astonishing visuals, cosmologist and TED Fellow Katie Mack takes us to the theoretical end of everything, some trillions of years in the future, in a profound meditation on existence, wonder and the legacy of humanity within the immensity of time and space. // Dr. Katherine (Katie) Mack is a theoretical astrophysicist specializing in cosmology, with a particular focus on dark matter, the early universe, and the ultimate fate of the cosmos. Holding the Hawking Chair in Cosmology and Science Communication at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Dr. Mack is recognized for her research on dark matter, vacuum decay, and cosmic dawn and reionization. She has contributed significantly to the field through her work on galaxy formation, astroparticle physics, and theoretical cosmology. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Mack is deeply committed to science communication and outreach, engaging in public lectures, media appearances, and science writing to make physics more accessible to a wider audience and bridge the gap between science and the public. // Cosmologist // research, technology, particle physics, accessibility, science writing, science, astronomy, science communication, physics, communication, astrophysics, space, cosmology // USA|Raleigh|Waterloo|Ontario|North Carolina|Canada

USA|Raleigh|Waterloo|Ontario|North Carolina|Canada

Pakistan

TED Conferences; Mano Animation Studios; Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture; Berklee College of Music

Usman Riaz is an artist, animator, and composer who is also a TED Senior Fellow. He is the Co-Founder and Director of Mano Animation Studios. Usman Riaz is known for his work on the animated feature film "The Glassworker," which is set to premiere in Pakistan in July 2024. The film tells the story of a father and son whose lives are disrupted by an impending war and the arrival of an army colonel and his daughter. Usman Riaz's dedication to his craft is evident in the detailed storyboarding he did for the film // As the co-founder and director of Mano Animation Studios, I have been working to produce our first feature film, The Glassworker, for over eight years. The Glassworker is a hand-drawn animated film that explores the themes of love, war, and art. I am also a TED Senior Fellow, a program that recognizes and supports visionary leaders who are making a positive impact in their fields and communities. Through TED, I have been able to share my vision and insights on music, animation, storytelling, and social change with global audiences and collaborators. My goal is to inspire and empower people through the power of animation and art. // ‘The Glassworker’ is an original story about young Vincent and his father Tomas, who run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an approaching war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young talented, violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son. The love that develops between Vincent and Alliz is challenged constantly by the differing views of their fathers. It is a time when patriotism and social standing are considered more important than free thought and artistic pursuits. It is a time when love is just not relevant. Set in a location loosely inspired by Pakistan, ‘The Glassworker’ is a hand- drawn animated feature film for a family audience. // The Glassworker (شیشہ گر) is a film by Mano Animation Studios, directed by Usman Riaz. A coming-of-age story about two children from separate walks of life, set in the fictitious Waterfront Town. Vincent is an apprentice Glass Blower learning from his father in their Glass Shop. Alliz is a prodigious violinist striving to find her own unique voice on the instrument. The film will comment on the affects of war on children and follow both characters through their formative years as life gets more complicated and inhibits their friendship. // TED Conferences; Mano Animation Studios; Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture; Berklee College of Music // Usman Riaz is a visionary leader in the field of animation and storytelling, known for his work as the co-founder and director of Mano Animation Studios. With over eight years dedicated to producing the hand-drawn animated feature film, "The Glassworker," Usman explores themes of love, war, and art through his creative endeavors. As a TED Senior Fellow, he shares his insights on music, animation, and social change with global audiences, aiming to inspire and empower individuals through the transformative power of art. Usman's work delves into the complexities of relationships, societal norms, and the impact of war on children, encapsulating poignant narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide. // I made Pakistan's first hand-drawn animated film 'The Glassworker' - a 10 year Labor of Love that has been recognised at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, including ANNECY, (I gave a talk at Cannes and the film screened in their film market) Shanghai International Film Festival and the Hiroshima Animation Festival as of June 2024. More to come. I hope to keep making films that can inspire people to pursue their dreams. // Usman Riaz is a multi-talented artist, animator, and composer, recognized for his exceptional work in the field of animation and storytelling. As the Co-Founder and Director of Mano Animation Studios, he has dedicated over a decade to producing the hand-drawn animated feature film, "The Glassworker," which intricately explores themes of love, war, and art. Usman's commitment to his craft is evident in the detailed storyboarding for the film, which has garnered international acclaim at prestigious film festivals such as ANNECY, Shanghai International Film Festival, and the Hiroshima Animation Festival. As a TED Senior Fellow, he shares his profound insights on music, animation, and social change, aiming to inspire and empower audiences globally through the transformative power of art. Usman's poignant narratives delve into the complexities of relationships, societal norms, and the impact of war on children, resonating with viewers worldwide and paving the way for future creative endeavors that aim to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams. // Animator + Composer // I began playing classical piano at the age of six and taught myself to play a variety of instruments using the internet as a learning tool.

 I am a composer, filmmaker and visual artist. After TED Global I have been traveling all over the world sharing my artwork and music with audiences to emphasize how we can use multimedia around us to further our talents. // Usman Riaz is a composer, film director, scriptwriter and animator born in Pakistan. Usman received a full scholarship to study Composition & Performance at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, United States. Before that he also had studied Graphic Design at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi, Pakistan. As music composer he has published the Albums 'Flashes & Sparks' with EMI Pakistan in 2011 and 'Circus in the Sky with EMI Pakistan in 2012. He has written, directed and scored the live action short film 'RUCKUS' that premiered at TED Global 2012 and took part at SXSW 2013 and also the live action short film 'The Waves' that was an Official Selection at the 2013 New York City Independent Film Festival. The Glassworker will be his first feature and not only did he write the original story but also worked as scriptwriter with Moya O'Shea and produced the full storyboard and animatic himself. At 21 he was selected as a TED Fellow in 2012. He performed and spoke about his work at TED Global 2012, playing percussive guitar alongside master Preston Reed after he had learnt to play by watching videos on YouTube. He was selected as a TED Senior Fellow in 2013 and has spoken at TED and TED Conferences in Japan, India, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Turkey, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States. // Singer Amanda Palmer pays tribute to the inimitable David Bowie with a cover of "Space Oddity." She's joined onstage by Jherek Bischoff, TED Fellow Usman Riaz and, no, your eyes are not deceiving you, none other than former Vice President Al Gore. // Usman Riaz is a 21-year-old whiz at the percussive guitar, a style he learned to play by watching his heroes on YouTube. The TED Fellow plays onstage at TEDGlobal 2012 -- followed by a jawdropping solo from the master of percussive guitar, Preston Reed. And watch these two guitarists take on a very spur-of-the-moment improv. // Usman Riaz is a multi-talented artist, animator, and composer, recognized for his exceptional work in the field of animation and storytelling. As the Co-Founder and Director of Mano Animation Studios, he has dedicated over a decade to producing the hand-drawn animated feature film, "The Glassworker," which intricately explores themes of love, war, and art. Usman's commitment to his craft is evident in the detailed storyboarding for the film, which has garnered international acclaim at prestigious film festivals such as ANNECY, Shanghai International Film Festival, and the Hiroshima Animation Festival. As a TED Senior Fellow, he shares his profound insights on music, animation, and social change, aiming to inspire and empower audiences globally through the transformative power of art. Usman's poignant narratives delve into the complexities of relationships, societal norms, and the impact of war on children, resonating with viewers worldwide and paving the way for future creative endeavors that aim to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams. // Animator + Composer // children, music, film - directing, glass, film, editing, music composer, music performer, design, animation, performance, architecture, writing, war, art, producing // Los Angeles|Sindh|USA|California|Pakistan|Karachi

Los Angeles|Sindh|USA|California|Pakistan|Karachi

Spain

United States

PRACTICE Benefit Corp; LIFE Foundation; World Economic Forum; Cornell University; Lenovo; City University of New York-Baruch College - Zicklin School of Business; TED Conferences; Entrepreneur Media; Baruch College; Goldman Sachs; Cornell University - Corporate & Foundation Affairs; Teachers College of Columbia University; BlackRock; Rapid Realty; YoungEntrepreneur.com; The Global Good Fund; Gentlemen Ventures; Echoing Green; Long Island City High School; Forbes

Karim Abouelnaga is a speaker who has engaged over 20,000 people in audience sizes ranging from 5 to 5,000+. He offers a media kit with a short bio, speaker sheet, introductory video, and partnership opportunities with speaking topics. Additionally, he provides a weekly newsletter called The Learning Loop designed to accelerate learning, with thought-provoking questions and resources to help individuals become better students, teachers, managers, and overall better versions of themselves. Karim also offers a free chapter of his book "Breaking Through From Rough to Ready" and uses cookies on his website for various purposes, including improving user experience and analytics. // PRACTICE is a New York City-based B-Corp organization that partners with principals, teachers, and parents to close the opportunity gap in urban schools. Their team, consisting of individuals with diverse backgrounds in urban education, management, finance, and non-profit sectors, works to provide customized teaching products and solutions to help urban students reach their full potential. PRACTICE offers services such as academic intervention, tutoring, professional development for teachers, and software solutions designed to improve student outcomes. The organization's mission is to build the next generation of urban-educated leaders by reimagining what is possible for urban students and fostering a supportive educational environment. // PRACTICE Benefit Corp; LIFE Foundation; World Economic Forum; Cornell University; Lenovo; City University of New York-Baruch College - Zicklin School of Business; TED Conferences; Entrepreneur Media; Baruch College; Goldman Sachs; Cornell University - Corporate & Foundation Affairs; Teachers College of Columbia University; BlackRock; Rapid Realty; YoungEntrepreneur.com; The Global Good Fund; Gentlemen Ventures; Echoing Green; Long Island City High School; Forbes // Trying to create a world where no child's circumstance limits their potential. Right now, we're doing that by working in urban, k-12 schools by personalizing instruction and expanding learning time. // Karim Abouelnaga is a dynamic speaker who has engaged with diverse audiences, ranging from small groups to large gatherings of over 5,000 individuals. He offers a comprehensive media kit that includes a speaker sheet, introductory video, and partnership opportunities, showcasing his expertise in delivering impactful talks. Through initiatives like The Learning Loop newsletter and his book "Breaking Through From Rough to Ready," Karim aims to accelerate learning and personal growth, providing valuable resources for students, teachers, and professionals. Additionally, he utilizes his platform to advocate for educational equity and empowerment, embodying a commitment to fostering positive change in communities. // Education entrepreneur // Karim Abouelnaga is a vanguard and catalyst for change in urban education. He was raised by a single mother on government aid and went through some of NYC’s most struggling public schools, however, he was fortunate to have a series of nonprofits and mentors who changed his life trajectory. Karim founded PRACTICE in his Cornell dorm room at 18 and has dedicated his career to equitably leveling the playing field for low-income children and closing the opportunity gap. He is an author, a TED Fellow and Echoing Green Fellow. At 23, he was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in Education, and at 24 was named to Magic Johnson’s 32 under 32 list. Karim earned a Bachelor’s in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and a Master’s in Education Policy from Columbia University. // In the US, most kids have a very long summer break, during which they forget an awful lot of what they learned during the school year. This "summer slump" affects kids from low-income neighborhoods most, setting them back almost three months. TED Fellow Karim Abouelnaga has a plan to reverse this learning loss. Learn how he's helping kids improve their chances for a brighter future. // Karim Abouelnaga is a dynamic speaker who has engaged with diverse audiences, ranging from small groups to large gatherings of over 5,000 individuals. He offers a comprehensive media kit that includes a speaker sheet, introductory video, and partnership opportunities, showcasing his expertise in delivering impactful talks. Through initiatives like The Learning Loop newsletter and his book "Breaking Through From Rough to Ready," Karim aims to accelerate learning and personal growth, providing valuable resources for students, teachers, and professionals. Additionally, he utilizes his platform to advocate for educational equity and empowerment, embodying a commitment to fostering positive change in communities. // Education entrepreneur // education, entrepreneurship, low income children, writing, extended learning time, urban, finance, social entrepreneurship, research, leadership, policy, public schools, achievement gap, fundraising, urban schools, k12, personalized learning, low income, teachers, opportunity gap, public speaking, children, software, government, income, nonprofits // Tampa|USA|New York|United States|New York City|Florida

Tampa|USA|New York|United States|New York City|Florida

United States

Change.org; Public Citizen; Coworker.org; The Solidarity Fund by Coworker; New Organizing Institute; SEIU; Echoing Green; The Aspen Institute; TED Conferences; Bennington College

Coworker.org is a global peer-based platform that supports workers in sparking positive change in the workplace. The organization believes in empowering individuals to have a voice in shaping their working conditions and work processes. They offer training, support, and advocacy tools to help workers launch campaigns and organizations to address workplace issues. Coworker.org has been instrumental in helping employees join together to achieve changes such as raising wages and improving working conditions. The platform has been recognized for its role in facilitating worker organizing and creating a space for employees to gather, organize, and advocate for change. // Coworker.org, co-founded by Jess Kutch, is a platform that utilizes digital tools, data, and strategies to empower workers in the 21st-century economy. The organization focuses on promoting worker voice, digital labor organizing, and democracy in the workplace. By offering digital tools to non-union workers, Coworker.org has successfully facilitated wins such as wage increases, scheduling reform, and parental leave benefits. The platform aims to complement traditional trade unions and regulatory bodies, representing a new chapter in organized labor's history of experimentation. Coworker.org advocates for workers to have a say in their working conditions, industry standards, and wages, particularly in the gig economy, to eliminate precarity and create more stable work environments. // Leading a team of organizers, technologists, and designers at Coworker.org in helping people win improvements in the workplace. // With support from The Prudential Foundation and Ford Foundation, the Job Quality Fellowship at the Aspen Institute aims to support and strengthen the work of leaders dedicated to expanding access to and availability of better quality jobs in our economy. // • Developing strategy to win economic justice campaigns, including workers’ rights, foreclosure prevention and consumer advocacy campaigns• Hiring and supervising team of online organizers • Pitching campaign stories to local, state and national media outlets• Coordinating with organizational partners // Change.org; Public Citizen; Coworker.org; The Solidarity Fund by Coworker; New Organizing Institute; SEIU; Echoing Green; The Aspen Institute; TED Conferences; Bennington College // Jess Kutch is a seasoned professional with a strong background in leading teams focused on driving positive change in the workplace. At Coworker.org, Jess leads a diverse team of organizers, technologists, and designers to empower individuals in advocating for workplace improvements. Through initiatives like the Job Quality Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, supported by The Prudential Foundation and Ford Foundation, Jess is dedicated to enhancing access to better quality jobs in the economy. With a focus on economic justice campaigns, workers' rights, foreclosure prevention, and consumer advocacy, Jess excels in developing winning strategies, managing teams, and fostering partnerships with various stakeholders. // Jess Kutch is a co-founder of Coworker.org, a global platform dedicated to empowering workers by providing digital tools and resources for organizing and advocating for better working conditions. With a focus on promoting worker voice and democracy in the workplace, Jess leads a diverse team in supporting individuals in launching campaigns to address issues such as wage increases, scheduling reform, and parental leave benefits. Through initiatives like the Job Quality Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, Jess demonstrates a commitment to enhancing access to better quality jobs and advancing economic justice. With a background in driving positive change in the workplace, Jess excels in developing strategies, managing teams, and fostering partnerships to support workers' rights and advocate for improved job quality. // Labor entrepreneur // Co-founder of Coworker.org, a labor organization for the 21st century helping workers solve problems and advance change through an open online platform. // Jess Kutch is the Co-Executive Director of Coworker.org, where she is helping build a labor movement for the future that is open to all workers and powered by data and technology. Coworker.org has helped hundreds of thousands of people experience worker-powered change in their workplaces, from winning wage hikes and expanded paid parental leave, to creating better dress codes and scheduling practices. In 2015, Coworker.org hosted the first-ever White House Town Hall on the Future of Worker Voice with President Obama. Jess has 15 years’ experience working at the intersection of technology and social change. Prior to co-founding Coworker.org, Jess lead a team at Change.org in raising the company’s profile around the world and inspiring hundreds of thousands of people to launch and lead their own efforts on the platform. Jess also managed digital projects for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) where she pioneered online strategies for the labor movement. Jess is an Aspen Institute Job Quality Fellow, Echoing Green Global Fellow, and J.M. Kaplan Innovation Prize winner. She’s a graduate of Bennington College and lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her family. // Got an idea to make your workplace better? Labor organizer and TED Fellow Jess Kutch can show you how to put it into action. In this quick talk, she explains how "productive conflict" -- when people organize to challenge and change their work lives for the better -- can be beneficial for employees and employers alike. // Jess Kutch is a co-founder of Coworker.org, a global platform dedicated to empowering workers by providing digital tools and resources for organizing and advocating for better working conditions. With a focus on promoting worker voice and democracy in the workplace, Jess leads a diverse team in supporting individuals in launching campaigns to address issues such as wage increases, scheduling reform, and parental leave benefits. Through initiatives like the Job Quality Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, Jess demonstrates a commitment to enhancing access to better quality jobs and advancing economic justice. With a background in driving positive change in the workplace, Jess excels in developing strategies, managing teams, and fostering partnerships to support workers' rights and advocate for improved job quality. // Labor entrepreneur // technology, worker power, workers' rights, data, jobs, job skills training, labor organizing, social entrepreneur, labor movement, worker voice, work, economic justice, the labor movement, advocacy, trade union movement, labor history, campaigns, workers, standards, accounting standards, future of work, justice // Asheville|United States|North Carolina|USA

Asheville|United States|North Carolina|USA