In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Kingsway Campus, University of Chester
Kingsway
Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, CH23LB
United Kingdom

Anthony Fumen Yawa

Data Scientist

Anthony Fumen Yawa is a dynamic innovator with a Bachelor’s in Aeronautical Engineering and a Master’s in Data Science. He co-founded Soraflake, an early stage startup creating engaging games for seniors to enhance cognitive health, and serves as Director of Research& Data Analytics at The Rethink Initiative, an NGO providing care solutions for diabetics. A Venture Pitch 2023 winner at the University of Chester, Anthony is passionate about leveraging technology for real-world impact. His work includes AI-driven innovations, such as a real-time hand gesture-to-language converter, demonstrating his commitment to cutting-edge solutions and societal transformation.

Anthony Olagunju

Public Health Scientist

A Public Health Scientist, passionate about fair distribution of power to give everyone a chance to be well, supported, and actively involved in making healthy lifestyle and environmental choices for a sustainable future.

Chantal Davies

Professor Law (Employment, Human Rights and Discrimination Law)

A Law graduate from Oxford University, Chantal qualified as a solicitor specialising in Employment, Human Rights and Discrimination Law, worked for the Equal Opportunities Commission in Manchester and is now professor of Law, Equality and Diversity at the University of Chester. She developed and is Director of the Forum for Research into Equality and Diversity, was funded by the Young Women’s Trust and the Equality and Human Rights Commission to research the use of positive action in apprenticeships and worked with the HE Authority in Ireland on a ground breaking positive action initiative to increase female representation within professorships. She sat on the board of Cheshire Halton and Warrington Race and Equality Centre and the Equality Challenge Unit, currently sits on the Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Commission, is co-vice chair of the Law Society’s Women’s Law Division Committee and has recently been appointed to sit on AdvanceHE’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Matt Langford

Product Designer

I'm a product designer specialising in user-centred and sustainability-focused design forearly-stage hardware innovators. I have worked across the consumer and medical sectorshave worked on a wide variety of products including inhalers, medical pagers, pressurecookers and even a Quidditch goal. I founded People Planet Product in 2024 in order to address a gap between early-stage innovative ideas, and technical product development. I would like to help innovators embed responsible development techniques into their projects and am passionate about helping them to develop products people want, and that align with the needs of the planet.

Namrata Bhattacharya Mis

Associate Professor (Disaster Risk and Resilience)

Namrata Bhattacharya Mis is an Associate Professor (Disaster Risk and Resilience) in Geography and Environment in the Faculty of Social Science at University of Chester. She is a geographer by training and passionate about understanding the connectivity's between nature and society in the context of disaster management. She is actively involved in multidisciplinary research related to understanding and managing water extremes and socio-economic vulnerabilities, particularly in flood risk management. Her teaching experience spans across Geography, International Development Studies, and Natural Hazard Management, with a recent focus on using innovative technologies to enhance inclusion in disaster management. Namrata is also the Co-Chair of university Race Equality And Cultural Heritage Group and she works constantly towards enhancing equality and diversity in HE.

Olalekan Aduloju

Associate Professor (Urban & Regional Planning)

Olalekan Aduloju is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, 240003. He is also a doctoral student and a visiting lecturer at the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Chester, United Kingdom. He is a recipient of a Commonwealth scholarship and research grant. His research interests straddle urban planning and spatiotemporal dynamics of cities, urban political ecology, and environmental health.

Rose McArthur

Director Transport, Highways and Climate Change

I've been enormously fortunate to work around the world on complex fascinating megaprojects like Olympics and Commonwealth Games organising transport and movement as part of a consultancy. I'm now in Local Authority where I lead teams responsible for delivering on our Net Zero Climate ambition, strategic transport, walking and cycling priorities, transport infrastructure, highways, structures, flooding, local bus and rail and much more besides. However all this is just so that I can connect people to places as efficiently, sustainably and safely as possible.

Simon Pringle

Commercial Strategy & Sustainability Specialist

Simon is a senior commercial strategy and sustainability specialist with extensive board-level experience and strong communication skills. An independent consultant, board advisor, and coach, he has a proven track record of driving measurable impact, improved performance, and entrepreneurial success across diverse sectors and geographies. An Honorary Professor at the University of Edinburgh Business School, he has served on governance boards and advisory panels, including Chatham House and the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission. With leadership experience across the private, public, and third sectors, he has a particular focus on regenerative leadership and fostering sustainable, long-term business strategies.