TEDxUQ set to rewrite the rules

TEDxUQ returns tomorrow for its third annual installment of sharing “ideas worth spreading” at The University of Queensland.

Rewrite the Rules will bring together a broad range of speakers and 100 UQ students, staff and alumni for a day of thought-provoking talks, idea sharing and networking.

Licensee and Event Director and UQ Bachelor of Laws and Commerce student Marya Atmeh said this year’s theme was about challenging the status quo and sparking innovation.

“The Rewrite the Rules theme was born of the notion that our thoughts and ideas are influenced and shaped throughout our lives through tradition, birth and upbringing,” Ms Atmeh said.

“As universities have traditionally been the grounds for enlightened thinking, it seemed fitting for our theme to invite a new generation of enquiring minds to question their own assumptions and endeavor to “rewrite the rules” in an ever-changing world.”

Speakers include Orange Sky Laundry co-founders Lucas Patchettt and Nicholas Marchesi, who transformed their van into Australia’s first free mobile laundry service for the homeless.

UQ student and One Woman Project founder and director Madeline Price and Opera Queensland’s Jason Barry Smith will also speak.

The event will include performances by a cappella group Soulstice and the UQ Japanese Taiko Drumming Team.

Ms Atmeh said because the TEDxUQ Rewrite the Rules talk had reached capacity of 100 attendees, the team would host “TEDxUQ GreenRoom” – a live-streaming event with beanbags, popcorn, and live music  during the breaks, as well as Q&As with speakers.

“The “TEDxUQ GreenRoom” event will live-stream the talks and will take place at the UQ Sir Llew Edwards Building. The talks will also be publicly live-streamed on YouTube,” Ms Atmeh said.

Event details:

What: “TEDxUQ GreenRoom”

When: Saturday, 23 May, 10am to 4.20pm

Where: Terrace Room, Sir Llew Edwards Building, UQ St Lucia campus

How: Seating is limited. Those wishing to attend can find out more on the Facebook event page

Talks and performances from the event will be available to watch on YouTube in July.

For future speaking or sponsorship opportunities with TEDxUQ, contact hello@tedxuq.com and for enquiries regarding TED, contact Melody Serafino at TEDxPR@ted.com.

Media: Maryha Atme – licensee@tedxuq.com

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. 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.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.