Theme: Prisms of Possibilities

Today we live in a continually changing Ireland and world. We reap the rewards from decades of work and sacrifice to build an economically prosperous, socially progressive country on the cutting edge of technology. With recent social changes we have more freedom than ever: freedom of speech, freedom to choose, freedom to love. Our freedom, wealth, education and opportunities position us akin to a white light with unlimited possibility but as we pass through the prism of time it is the actions we take today that determine where on the spectrum we land and what the future will look like.

Unfortunately there are people around the world and in this country who are deprived of these opportunities and often where they fall on the rainbow of life is often predetermined for them.
We wish to use this TEDX event to share diverse voices, ideas and to look for possible solutions to the biggest issues facing Ireland and the world today. As we look to the future it is important we reflect on what actions we can take today to continue to build a better tomorrow.As such 'Prisms of Possibilities' is our chosen theme. We feel this is broad enough to encompass ideas and possibilities that are reflected by the diverse variety of speakers and ideas at TEDxUniversityCollegeCork.

Enquiries can be made to amsiucc@gmail.com

Aula Maxima
University College Cork
College Cork
Cork, Cork, T12 K8AF
Ireland

Adam Finn

Mental Health Campaigner

Former UCC student, Adam has been a massive campaigner for mental health in Ireland over the past number of years. featuring in the RTE documentary 'My Other Life'. Adam has helped hundreds, if not thousands cope with their mental health issues and has been influential in breaking down any stigma surrounding mental health.

Ciara-Beth Griffin

App Developer & Student

Ciara-Beth is a first year UCC student studying psychology and computing. Growing up with high functioning autism, Ciara-Beth had difficulty maintaining eye contact and faced social isolation as a result. At 18, she created an app called 'MiContact' which aims to help people who are on the autism spectrum learn to make and maintain eye contact in a way that is comfortable to them. As a result of her app, she has traveled the world to work with UNESCA and was honoured to be named a 2018 global teen leader with the We Are Family Foundation.

Dr David Clarke

Microbiology Researcher & Lecturer

Graduating with a BSc in Biotechnology from DCU, Dr Clarke then went onto complete a PhD in Microbiology from NUIM. Lecturing in microbiology in UCC since 2007 Dr Clarke is also a funded investigator in the APC Microbiome Ireland located in UCC. Research that contributes €1.2million to the Irish economy each week, the APC researches the identification and characterisation of molecular mechanisms that underpin bacteria-host interactions.

Dr Mary Favier

Doctor and Repeal the 8th Activist

Dr Mary Favier is co founder of Doctors for Choice. She is a specialist in family medicine and is in practice in Cork city. She is a member of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) and a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. She is a guest teacher on the UCC post graduate general practitioner training scheme. She has been Chair of Education in the ICGP and is currently president elect of the ICGP. She campaigned for many years to remove the Eight Amendment as it was harmful to Irish women's health. She advocated improving clinical care by introducing early medical abortion provision in a primary care setting in Ireland.

Jack Hickey

Artist

Originating from Cobh, Jack Hickey is a talented artist who attended the Crawford College of Art and Design. Following his degree he has received much critical acclaim, with the Sunday Times, Irish Times & Irish Examiner each publishing outstanding reviews of his work. Jack's piece "My Time" is the Hennessy Portrait Prize Winner 2017

Professor Barry O'Sullivan

Professor & Researcher

Professor Barry O'Sullivan is an award-winning academic working in the fields of artificial intelligence, constraint programming, operations research, ethics, and public policy for ai and data analytics. A professor in UCC and also an adjunct professor at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Professor O’Sullivan is recognised world wide for his achievements in research and academics much of which takes place in UCC.

Valerie Mulcahy

County Footballer and Activist for Marriage Equality

Winning ten All-Ireland titles and nine Ladies' National Football League titles as well as an All Star on six occasions Valerie Mulcahy has many achievements built up on the football pitch however she has also been inspirational off the pitch. The first openly gay female GAA player Valerie played a massive part in the 2015 Referendum for Marriage Equality, a role model on and off the pitch.

Vella Nqobizitha

Refugee speaking about life in a Direct Provision Centre

Originally coming from Zimbabwe, Vella came to Ireland for a better life for herself and her son. Living in a Direct Provision Centre in an unfamiliar country, Vella has experienced massive changes in her life that she never once expected. Vella has now written a book about her life changing experiences and how life has been in Ireland.