Theme: The Common Good

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).

Kresge Auditorium
239 Maine Street
Brunswick, Maine, 04011
United States

King Weatherspoon

Student at Bowdoin College.

Lindsay Rapport

Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance, Theater and Dance at Bowdoin College.

Michael Franz

Professor of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin College

Michael Franz is Professor of Government and Legal Studies at Bowdoin, where he has taught since 2005. He served as chair of the department from 2013 to 2017. He studies elections, campaign finance, and interest groups. He is author or co-author of five books, including Political Advertising in the United States (2021, Routledge). He is also the co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project, a collaboration of researchers that tracks spending on political advertising.

Noah Zuijderwijk

Student at Bowdoin College

Noah Zuijderwijk grew up in the Netherlands, attended UWC Pearson College in BC, Canada, and is now a member of the class of 2025 at Bowdoin College where he majors in biology. In an increasingly online world, Noah worries about our connection to strong real-life communities. So, to strengthen his campus community, he works as an RA with the ResLife office, student director with the Sexuality, Women, and Gender Center, and as an editor for the Quill (Bowdoin’s literary arts magazine). Through his involvement in these organizations, Noah often communicates important information and facilitates interpersonal connection. He believes that social media is a complex and nuanced double-edged sword that either fights for or against these connections. So, by providing people with the vocabulary to think critically about their online experiences, he hopes to inspire others to become more engaged and thoughtful citizens.

Philip Al Mutawaly

Student at Bowdoin College

Philip al Mutawaly is a financial analyst at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with a BA in Economics and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College. Committed to promoting economic thought that centers the liberation of all people, Philip is particularly interested in how pedagogy shapes what we deem possible. Drawing inspiration from Black Marxists, Indigenous economists, Feminist economists, and post-structuralists, Philip enjoys imagining new possibilities for education’s role in building an inclusive economics that serves everyone. Philip credits his enduring curiosity to his parents.

Selina Asante

Public health dentist and Bowdoin College alumni.

Wendy Van Damme

Associate Director for Public Service at Bowdoin College

Wendy Van Damme leads the Bowdoin Public Service program, which introduces students to careers in government and explores ways to serve the common good, and the Bowdoin Votes program, a non-partisan civic engagement and outreach program that helps students to be informed voters. Before coming to Bowdoin, Wendy enjoyed an overseas career with the Peace Corps, guiding and supporting volunteers in Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, and Lesotho. In Maine, she worked at the Maine Department of Labor, with local non-profit organizations, and as a French teacher in the public school district. As a volunteer, she is active with many community organizations related to history and service. Wendy has a BA in philosophy and Spanish from Middlebury College.