Pops, purrs and grunts - did you know a healthy coral reef emits a whole range of sounds? Marine biologist and data scientist, Ben Williams, shares how underwater audio recorders are helping scientists listen to the soundscape of coral reefs to measure their health. Yet, Ben quickly ran into an issue - there were thousands of hours of soundscapes to listen to! That’s where AI comes in. In a fraction of the time, AI tools can be used to analyse coral reef soundscapes to help track destructive human impacts and restoration efforts. This technology is a game changer for coral reef conservation and restoration - which couldn’t be more timely with coral reefs facing mass bleaching events and degradation.Ben is completing a PhD at University College London and the Zoological Society of London. His work focuses on using AI to study the soundscape of coral reefs to support conservation and restoration. Ben collaborates closely with the world’s largest reef restoration programme, led by Mars' Sheba Hope Grows campaign, and has worked with Google DeepMind's bioacoustics team. He collaborates with both local researchers and industry leaders to protect coral reefs together.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Shark researcher Ornella Weideli debunks myths about sharks, explaining why our fear of them is unfounded. She shared three life lessons from sharks, teaching us to trust our instincts and embrace challenges.Ornella Weideli holds an MSc in animal biology from the University of Basel and a PhD from the PSL Research University in France. Focusing her studies on the ecology of reef sharks, she spent many years living and conducting fieldwork in Seychelles, French Polynesia and the USA.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When stand-up comedian Jodie Mitchell noticed audiences reacting differently to their Drag King persona, John Travulva, they realised just how gendered our perceptions of who is and isn’t funny are. As John they had the trust of the audience straight away, but as Jodie they would have to work harder to get laughs for the same material. This came to a head after a stand-up gig, where a menacing interaction with an audience member brought to life the frequent discrimination women, non-binary and trans-masculine comedians face.Jodie Mitchell, aka John Travulva, is a stand-up comedian, writer and Drag King. They’ve appeared on Comedy Central Live, Channel 4’s Jokes Only a Lesbian Can Tell, and award-winning BBC Radio 4 sketch show Time of The Week, which they were also a writer for. They were featured in The New York Times for their work on trans representation in Netflix’s Sex Education. Their debut stand-up show, Becoming John Travulva, sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and they’ve co-created numerous hit shows with their Off Broadway Award winning Drag King troupe "Pecs".This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How should democracies deal with anti-democratic voices? Political scientist Angela Bourn explores why democracy must welcome dissent to remain strong—examining the effects of banning anti-democratic parties and questioning whether such measures truly work. By embracing diverse opinions, even those that challenge democratic values, we can ultimately strengthen democracy and ensure its resilience. Dr. Bourne is Professor (MSO) in European Politics at Roskilde University, Denmark. She has published widely on the politics of party bans, including a 2018 book on Democratic Dilemmas: Why democracies ban political parties (Routledge). She currently leads a team of researchers examining opposition to European populist parties and in 2023 published a book on Responding to Populist Parties in Europe: The Populist People vs the Other People (Oxford University Press). She has held posts at University of Aberystwyth and University of Dundee in the United Kingdom. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Hollywood's biggest productions are hiding an inconvenient truth: their massive environmental impact. But could the industry that shapes global culture also lead the way in sustainability? In this talk, Filmmaker and Geographer Aidan Rhode uncovers the hidden carbon footprint of moviemaking, from excessive waste to sky-high emissions, and explores how studios, production companies, and industry leaders can drive real change - without compromising creativity. By rethinking how stories are made and told, the Film and TV industry has the power to influence audiences and decarbonise itself in the process. Aidan Rhode is a researcher and filmmaker passionate about making the Film and TV industry more sustainable. He has worked on major sets, interviewed over 30 industry professionals, and explored practical solutions to reduce Hollywood's carbon footprint. Now, he's working to bring this knowledge beyond academia, helping the industry implement real, measurable change, and how other industries can learn from Hollywood's sustainability wins and challenges. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

What if urban planning embraced uncertainty instead of resisting it? Instead of chasing a perfect master plan, Pino explores how small, adaptive interventions can reshape cities over time. This talk reveals a new approach to building resilient urban spaces—one step at a time. Pino Heye challenges traditional urban planning by embracing adaptability over rigid master plans. As co-founder of Emergent Lab, he explores how small, community-driven interventions can reshape cities in real time. This talk introduces a metabolistic approach to design—where urban resilience grows through continuous learning and collaboration. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx