Theme: INTERSECTING HORIZONS

Introducing TEDxUnimelb 2024: Intersecting Horizons

Imagine wandering through a bustling marketplace of ideas, where every corner brings a surprise and each encounter sparks new possibilities! Welcome to "Intersecting Horizons"—a TEDxUnimelb experience where curiosity meets innovation, igniting a wildfire of discovery and transformation.

What if a neuroscientist chatted with an Al developer?
Or an eco-conscious architect
teamed up with a groundbreaking designer?
The result? Pure magic!

Join us in this magic at "Intersecting Horizons" as we celebrate these unexpected collisions-where science, technology, art, philosophy, business, and social sciences converge to create something truly extraordinary. Get ready to dive into groundbreaking ideas. From mathematical algorithms creating stunning art to the amazing fusion of sustainability and cutting-edge design, it's all happening here!
This isn't just another event-it's a place where new worlds meet and new ideas are born.
Stay tuned for more updates, and prepare to be inspired!

#tedxunimelb #tedx #unimelb
#universityofmelbourne #intersectinghorizons #innovation #curiosity #discover #inspiration

The Open Stage
The Open Stage 757 Swanston St, Parkville VIC 3052
Room 125, Building 199
Melbourne, Victoria, 3052
Australia

Jamie Zhu

You've probably heard of Jamie Zhu if you're active on Instagram or YouTube. He's one of Australia's biggest social media stars with over 10 million followers and has been featured by major outlets like 9 News, Channel 10, Daily Mail, News.com, The Washington Post, Sydney Morning Herald, Fox Sports, and The Age. Jamie's Intersecting Horizons are all about making a mark online and sharing innovative perspectives through social media. He runs the popular podcast Locker Room Chat and is raising awareness about the 2024 housing crisis through impactful documentaries, pushing state governments to improve housing conditions. That's why he was named one of MediaWeek's Next of the Best 50 Influential People in Australia for 2023, securing a dazzling 11th place.

Janet Gordon

Janet founded Bluestarfish Consulting in 2007, specializing in developing business leaders and coaches. Using an actor-based approach, Janet and her team create immersive, impactful, and engaging training experiences, drawing from her theater skills learned in her early 30s. She merges theatrical techniques with business insights for her Intersecting Horizons. Not one to settle, Janet combines her extensive experience in leading cultural transformation for major global organizations with her work across multiple industries. She leverages this blend to help leaders across industries enhance their public speaking, build authority, and develop impactful skills. A lifelong learner, she's currently pursuing a Master's in Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne.

Kishwar Chowdhury

Kishwar Chowdhury is a Melbourne-born culinary talent who captured hearts during her journey on MasterChef Australia, where she placed as 2nd runner-up in season 13! — Known for her passion for heritage. Kishwar's culinary approach is deeply rooted in seasonality, cultural history and the relevance of food origins. A global traveler and avid student of food, Kishwar's experiences across continents, including her time in Bangladesh, Germany and the UK, have given her a unique edge in creating bold and meaningful dishes. Since returning to Melbourne, she's collaborated with top chefs like Adam D'Sylva and trained under Michelin-starred chef Masahiko Yomoda, curating an exciting fusion of Australian-Bengali flavors. Her culinary journey goes beyond food. With a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash and further studies at the University of the Arts in London, Kishwar continues to evolve, blending anthropology, history and the philosophy of food into every dish she creates.

Shiao Lu

Shiao Lu is a passionate advocate for public and social policy, recognized as a 2024 Top 100 Future Leader by the Australian Financial Review. She was previously honored with the MyHero Award for her efforts in promoting national unity and harmony across cultural barriers in Malaysia. As the former National Chairperson of the Malaysian Students Council of Australia (MASCA), representing over 20,000 Malaysian students across Australia, Shiao has been at the forefront of advocating for equitable access to education, gender equity, and combatting school violence. Her deep commitment to these causes continues to drive her academic and professional endeavors. In her TEDx talk, Shiao will draw on her personal journey of overcoming struggles and adversities, transforming them into sources of strength. She will explore the intersections of personal growth, career development, and relationship building— offering a powerful narrative of resilience and transformation across time and context. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Politics and Sociology.

Tika Tazkya Nurdyawati

Tika Tazkya is the founder of Muda Empati (Empathetic Youth), an organization driving grassroots sustainability movements among thousands of young people in Indonesia. Her talk will explore how empathy can transform our personal and professional journeys. During her social research in remote, underdeveloped areas of Eastern Indonesia, Tika witnessed firsthand the gaps in development. This led her discovered the Intersecting Horizons: Empathy can shift your life purpose from "Me! Me! Me!" to "I want to serve the community." By adopting Empathy & The Secret Formula, Tika became the CEO of her own foundation at just 22 and was named 'An Inspirational Figure' at the Zillenial Fest Awards 2023. She believes that by applying this 'Empathy Formula,' anyone can unlock their full potential and achieve remarkable success in both their career and personal life.

Varadhi Binay

Dr. Varadhi Binay wears many hats: she’s a Lecturer in Management and Marketing at the University of Melbourne, an academic author, a certified Focusing teacher, and ordained in the Triratna Buddhist tradition. She seamlessly integrates these roles to present the Somatic Focusing Centre to the world, embodying her vision of Intersecting Horizons. Passionate about blending Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, Varadhi’s research and teaching draw from her extensive experience in somatic therapy practices and over a decade of leading retreats and offering one-on-one guidance. Her unique perspective is captured on her website with a quote from Gene Gendlin: “Every bad feeling is potential energy toward a more right way of being, if you give it space to move toward its rightness.” By combining the concepts of negative feelings and potential energy, Varadhi offers us a fresh perspective on the importance of body-focused work.