TEDxKings Park acknowledges the Wadjuk people of the Noongar Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which Kings Park, the city of Perth and the metropolitan region are located.
We recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and community of this area and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. It is an honour for us to be meeting here today.
Do you love science fiction?
I can’t get enough of it.
Give me Asimov, Chris Nolan, Iain M Banks, Black Mirror – I’ll thrill to these rollercoasters of ideas.
And like rollercoasters, which would be No Fun At All if we were at risk of death, science fiction lets us explore the possible and the impossible without having to actually live with the dystopias, the drama and the dark side.
The tricky thing is, science fiction has this sneaky habit of becoming science fact*.
You have a Star Trek communicator in your pocket. Bladerunner billboards clutter our cityscapes. Kubrickian space stations orbit the Earth.
And as for Georges Méliès 1902 film A Trip To The Moon
So what are the fictions of today that will become the everyday reality of tomorrow?
Normally, a TEDx speaker is gently guided away from speculation – from what-iffing. Stick to the facts, please! But tonight we’ll be ever-so-slightly bending that rule. Our speakers are in a privileged position: they spend their days thinking about the future, about how technologies are going to change everyone’s lives. We’ve asked them to not just talk about their research, but to project forwards; to think about where we are all going: about the future.
If the past is anything to go by, it’ll be quite a ride.
Rob Lines TEDxKings Park Licensee
*Otherwise known as “science”!
We spread fresh ideas that are exciting, thought-provoking and potentially transformative for our community.
Our outlook is local, national and global. We’re interested in the best ideas that excite and benefit our community from wherever, or whomever, they come. We actively invite young people to participate – all are involved, heard, valued and empowered. Our TEDx talks are made available online, for free.
Environmental responsibility is demonstrated through our actions, as well as our words. Our events are carbon neutral.
We are values and volunteer-driven and TEDxKings Park is a not-for-profit.
Image: ShutterstockWelcome to our first event of 2024. Our events are a celebration of ideas worth spreading and tonight we showcase another five insightful speakers from Perth and share their ideas with the world. Each speaker is giving their time and ideas freely and, in doing so, contributing to a global library of thousands of talks presented online, for free. Indeed, everyone at TEDxKings Park is a volunteer, all skilled people committed to our City and our community.
In just three years we have presented a remarkable 70 talks which have been watched over three million times. Please make time to thank our speakers and all our volunteers.
We also thank our friends at Curtin University for being our Principal Partner. Without them this event would not be possible; it is a joy to work with such enthusiastic and dedicated people. Cundall, PAV and others are making notable contributions to make this event the best it can be.
Finally, thank you for being part of the TEDxKings Park community. You, your energy, and your enthusiasm, are what make our events special.
Gavin Buckley Chief Executive Officer
30 Second Ideas Competition
Do you know someone aged 14-21 with an idea that could be a TEDx talk? From six Finalists, the capacity audience of young people at TEDxKings Park Youth will choose the idea to be turned into a TEDx talk and published by TED to 40 million YouTube subscribers.
To find out more, and enter, go to:
TEDxKingsPark.org/30SecondIdeas
23 November 2024 State Theatre Centre of WA
Where young thinkers, innovators, entrepreneurs, campaigners and changemakers from Perth and WA come together to celebrate ideas worth spreading and strive for a better future. 9 world-premiere TEDx talks, food, live music, short films and hands-on experiences make it a packed day to remember.
Take part in the global TEDx movement and get connected, engaged and inspired!
For tickets, and to find out more: TEDxKingsPark.org
Principal Partner Curtin University
We didn’t want tonight to be just people talking about science and technology. And we couldn’t think of anything better than asking Scitech to spice up the evening.
Please give an explosive welcome to Lauren and Isaac, and maybe you’re brave enough to join in?
For more than 35 years, Scitech has led the way in science engagement in Western Australia. Whether it's taking workshops and shows to schools and events in regional and remote communities across the state, supporting teachers and students through programs and skill development, or creating and building international exhibitions, communicating science is at the heart of everything the organisation does.
The Scitech Discovery Centre allows visitors to engage their hands and minds
through interactive exhibits that motivate learning and challenge thinking. Theatre and planetarium shows bring science to life, capturing the senses through visual and visceral performances that use comedy and drama to not only entertain but inspire.
Scitech makes communicating science amazing, relevant, real and memorable. In this way, a Scitech experience is like a chain reaction of learning that ignites your curiosity and inspires discovery, now and into the future. scitech.org.au
TEDxKings Park is committed to minimising our environmental impact. We hope that all event organisers in Australia will be inspired to do the same.
We have reduced our carbon emissions as much as possible and then invested in WA’s Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor. Overall the emissions from this event will equal zero,
or are ‘neutral’. This includes the journey you made to attend.
TEDxKings Park is grateful to Cundall who have helped us calculate our carbon footprint.
This program is printed on recycled paper and is included in our carbon test.
The Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor
This amazing WA project not only has significant climate benefits but is also delivering social and environmental outcomes by reinvigorating social and cultural traditions, conserving habitat, protecting biodiversity and increasing employment opportunities.
Jen Walsh is a sleep physiologist. She is the Director of the UWA Centre for Sleep Science and leads the physiology research team at the West Australian Sleep Disorders Research Institute at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where she investigates the causes of sleep disorders and novel treatments for them. Since 2016 Jen has been studying the potential effects of different cannabinoids on sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Jen is also passionate about educating people about sleep. She teaches sleep to undergraduate and postgraduate
students and is regularly invited to provide sleep education to organisations including schools, private companies, government organisations and community groups.
Jen’s TEDxKings Park talk Can cannabis help you sleep? Here’s the science has been promoted by TED and watched nearly half a million times.
In her spare time, when not convincing her two daughters of the importance of getting enough sleep, Jen likes to run with her friends.
Rob has been involved in the TEDx movement since 2012, having curated TEDx events across Perth including at Perth Concert Hall, the Supreme Court and the Parliament of Western Australia. Since graduating in Computer Science and Physics, Rob has worked for many years in theatre and cinema management in the UK and Australia. He is currently Manager of the University of Western Australia’s public venues, including the Octagon Theatre, Winthrop Hall, and the Somerville Auditorium.
Rob sings in Perth Pride Choir and is a Judge for Creative Edge, the young people’s creative challenge program.
Rob is the licensee of TEDxKings Park.
Mabel is a dynamic and passionate Inclusion and Diversity Consultant with a rich background in mental health. Her outgoing nature and love for making new connections are complemented by her deep fascination with the mind-body connection. Mabel’s expertise shines in her ability to understand and appreciate the unique manifestations of this connection in different individuals.
Mabel’s commitment to mental health and building safe spaces extends beyond her professional endeavours, as she actively participates in community events and initiatives. Whether she is engaging with professionals or the wider community, her goal remains the same: to enlighten and inspire with ideas worth spreading.
With a background in Social Work, Monica appreciates the transformative power of knowledge and storytelling. She recognises that stories can touch hearts, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. Monica believes that by harnessing the power of narratives, we can create a profound impact on individuals and society.
As a certified coach and advocate for human-centered organisations, she is deeply passionate about transforming the world of work by creating safe and inclusive workplace cultures characterised by trust, honesty, and organisational justice. With over 15 years of global HR and leadership experience, she is the founder/director of a successful start-up company.
Ope is a Digital Marketing Specialist and Business Intelligence Analyst at NGIS. Ope’s one aim is to meet interesting people and help them to achieve interesting things. He is excited about the opportunity to help proliferate the big ideas that could help shape the next generation of our City and our State.He hopes to use his skills developed in marketing to help condense the expertise of the speakers he works with. Helping them find the best way to communicate their valuable ideas to the world
Jessica’s research focuses on the design and evaluation of new materials for delivery of gene therapies. These therapies have the potential to revolutionise treatment of diseases (like cancer) avoiding the side-effects of traditional chemotherapy. Currently there are no safe and efficient methods to get these therapies inside diseased cells. Jessica completed her PhD degree from the University of Western Australia. Now, as a Forrest Fellow, Jessica is establishing DNA origami as a research hub within WA.
Spending time growing up in rural Western Australia, Jessica learnt
first-hand how beneficial outreach programs are for science education and has passionately pursued outreach programs for local and rural students. Jessica has been involved in programs such as Science Café, Education Lab and Ignite Mentoring.
As the Australian Nanotechnology Network Young Ambassador, Jessica has established educational experiments for students, and travelled to rural schools.
In her free time, Jessica’s favourite place to be is anywhere remote, where there is no phone signal, whether in the eucalyptus forests of Australia’s South West, or up in the Dampier Archipelago.
Professor Jingbo Wang is a pioneer of cutting-edge research in quantum algorithms, aiming to solve complex problems of practical importance that are otherwise intractable.
Jingbo is Director of the Research Centre for Quantum Information, Simulation and Algorithms at the University of Western Australia, Co-Founding Director of Australian Quantum Software Network Limited, Founding Chair of Quantum Science and Technology group in the Australian Institute of Physics, and Founding Member of the IEEE Quantum on Consumer Technology Technical Committee.
She is also Director of the UWA-Pawsey Educational Quantum Computing Centre. There she oversees a comprehensive suite of quantum computing lecture courses offered at undergraduate, masters and PhD levels. Her leadership contributes significantly to the educational advancement and integration of quantum computing expertise within the academic realm.
In addition, Professor Wang is CoDirector of Quantum Girls, a governmentfunded project aiming to encourage more girls and women throughout Australia to consider careers in quantum science, in particular quantum computing.
Request a speaker today.
Dr Tracy Redhead merges art and science in music, using technology to create dynamic music that evolves with data. She’s a leading figure in Transmutable Music, bringing fresh auditory experiences through change and adaptability. Tracy has extensive experience in music performance, industry, recording, production and interactive media.
As a singer-songwriter, she has released three albums and an EP, with her single Where Does it Fit achieving high rotation in 2008. She’s now poised to launch a new EP in 2024 with her electronic duo Rochelle Salt, formed with Sofie Loizou.
Her innovative approach earned her the Music Bricks incubation award in 2016,
taking her work to the Ars Electronica Festival and earning her features in WIRED and several documentaries. She co-researched the Born Global Industry report and co-authored a Routledge book on music exports, shaping Australian industry understanding and strategies. Tracy’s upcoming book, Interactive Technologies and Music Making –Transmutable Music, due in August 2024, introduces transformative approaches to music composition.
Teaching at the UWA Conservatorium of Music, she continues to expand the intersections between music and technology, hoping to inspire the next wave of music evolution.
Dr Andrzej Gwizdalski is an established Web3 ecosystem architect in Western Australia and the Southeast Asia region. Steering the Western Australia WEB3 Association as Co-Founder and Chairman, he propels initiatives like the International WAWEB3 Conferences, enhancing Web3 adoption for a diverse, sustainable future. His leadership in the Blockchain Technologies Knowledge Network since 2018 underpins vital education and research, benefiting public sectors and communities, including initiatives like CryptoMob, an NFT Platform promoting the work of Australian Indigenous artists.
As a university lecturer and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Andrzej has created Master-level blockchain units at the Business School of the University of Western Australia, advocating Web3 innovation. His research on digital Web3 technologies tackles their profound societal and economic influence, aiming to empower marginalised communities. With a PhD from the University of Melbourne and three Masters degrees from leading universities around the world, Andrzej aims to blend technological prowess with social consciousness. His personal commitment to fostering a sustainable ecosystem, informed by diverse political and cultural experiences as a global citizen, emphasises technology’s role in preserving humanity, diversity, and democracy.
Biology generates massive amounts of data. The assembly of the first human genome took decades; in 2024 it is possible to sequence a thousand human genomes in a day on a single sequencing machine, generating more than 50 terabytes of data in 24 hours. Somebody needs to make sense of all that data!
We humans cannot do that manually, and this is where Philipp’s work comes in. He works at the intersection of biology, big data, and machine learning, building and applying complex algorithms and machine learning models to find the biology petabytes of data. He currently works on the genomics of environmental DNA, establishing trust in fish sightings derived from marine environmental DNA.
Originally hailing from Germany, Philipp has a PhD from the University of Queensland, then spent six years in a postdoctoral position, an inaugural Forrest Fellowship, and a DECRA fellowship at UWA, before he decided to leave academia to apply his skills for the Minderoo Foundation in the OceanOmics division.
In his free time, Philipp runs after his two sons (5 and 7) as they try to climb the highest walls, race down the steepest hills, and swim the deepest pools in their childhood-long quest to learn the names of everybody working in the Perth Children’s Hospital Emergency Room.
Future Technology sees TEDxKings Park achieve a world first.
The speakers you see tonight will be the very first to have their TEDx talk recorded and published in stereoscopic 3D.
We’re indebted to the Curtin HIVE (Hub for Immersive Visualisation and eResearch) whose cameras we are using.
The Curtin HIVE is an advanced facility serving the growing demands of researchers and industry for visualisation, virtualisation and simulation capabilities. hive.curtin.edu.au
Stereoscopic 3D replicates what our eyes do so well: capturing two subtly different flat images which our brains convert into three dimensions.
To watch the talks in full 3D you’ll need a Virtual Reality headset like a Meta Quest or Vision Pro – and we’ll also publish the talks in 2D.
TEDxKings Park gratefully acknowledges the support of Curtin University Associate Professor Andrew Woods, and media artist and interdisciplinary researcher in science art Andrea Rassell who have helped us achieve this milestone.
Image: Goal Striving VR project on the HIVE Cylinder display.
University initiatives that drive the energy transformation are essential for positioning Australia at the fore of the post-carbon economy.
Curtin’s new Energy Engineering degree is one such initiative, designed specifically to help meet the demand for expertise in our rapidly changing energy sector, including critical minerals and rare earths industries. The expected impact of the new course reflects the national importance of Curtin WA School of Mines (WASM) in providing the research capabilities and workforce for energy and resources, with Curtin ranking first in Australia and second in the world for mineral and mining engineering education.1
Successful partnerships with Australian industry continue to contribute to Curtin’s reputation and our efforts to support Australia’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. A key project with our Alliance partner BHP, for example, is focusing on new techniques for mineral carbonation. We’re also partnering with local company Mineral Resources, to support lithium-based mining and technological advances. And our Hydrogen Storage Research Group is collaborating with Kotai Energy, to progress new ways of producing, storing and exporting green hydrogen.
curtin.edu.au
PAV reliably delivers audiovisual solutions on any scale, renowned events and exemplary installations. We proudly boast our industry’s leading events team, multimedia producers, styling team, audiovisual operators as well as an installation/retail sales department.
PAV design, manage and deliver your crucial solutions from concept to completion. We’re extremely passionate about events and love what we do.
Cundall is an international, multidisciplinary consultancy operating from over 20 locations across the globe. We provide professional services from business level strategy and governance to building performance and design.
We are recognised as a global leader in sustainability. Yet, we know there is much more that we can and need to do. Business as usual is not enough.
As a global business, we became carbon neutral in 2020, and we are on course to hit our 1.5° Science Based Target.
We ensure that we focus on sustainability across every part of the Cundall world: industry leadership, our projects, our workplace, and our homes and communities.
TEDxKings Park is driven by a team of professionals.
We are volunteers united by the power of ideas.
Chief Executive Officer
Gavin Buckley
Youth Panel
Maya Best
Youth Panellist
Gemma Casella
Youth Panellist
Summer Cory
Youth Panellist
Keira Fuller
Youth Panellist
Gracia Mpinda
Youth Panellist
Joshua Patrick
Youth Panellist
Om Sharma
Youth Panellist
Ciara Wood
Youth Panellist
Youth Engagement
Marilyn Schmidt
Youth Engagement Manager
Curation and Coaching
Rob Lines
Licensee & Head of Curation
Gavin Buckley
Speaker Coach
Lisa Evans
Lead Speaker Coach
Mabel Abatania Curator (Youth Lead)
Joshua Betton Curator
Toni Guerrero Curator
Opeyemi Idris Curator
Monica Kander Curator
Om Sharma Curator
Partnerships and Development
Martin Wisker
Head of Partnerships
Dave Edward Partnerships Manager
Operations
Lydia Setiadi Head of Finance
Marketing and Community
Joshua Betton
Programs Manager
Pratibha Bhaskar
Website Manager
Summer Cory
Marketing & Social Media Manager
Chanel Marriott
Marketing & Social Media Manager
Gracia Mpinda
Marketing & Social Media Manager
Ciara Wood
Marketing & Social Media Manager
Production
Blake Good
Co-Head of Production
Keira Fuller
Co-Head of Production
Alice Leggett
Head of Volunteering
Aymeric Armougom
3D Camera Operator
Joshua Betton
Assistant Stage Manager
Alex Pecoraro
Lead Photographer
Lexi Prichard
Production Assistant
Thomas Rowe
2D & 3D Video Manager
Board
Martin Wisker
Chair
Katie Hunt
Company Secretary
Lydia Setiadi
Treasurer
Gavin Buckley Board Member
Natasha Hurley-Walker Board Member
Rob Lines Board Member
This event is licensed by TED Conferences LLC and is produced independently by Ideas@Perth Inc. a not-for-profit association registered in Western Australia.
Ideas@Perth Inc. PO Box 12, Nedlands 6909
ABN 12 519 887 714
TEDxKings Park is not affiliated with Kings Park Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.
This program is printed on recycled paper and is included in our carbon offset.
Images: Shutterstock
