Program

As a TEDxPerth exclusive, Molly will take to the red circle again, this time from London to share how the simple act of reading to children sparks imagination and creativity.   

In 2021, Molly stunned the world when she, as a seven-year-old, delivered a talk about early childhood education and how children thrive when parents give them full attention. Her talk was viral phenomenon, becoming the most popular TED talk of 2021. She is now 9 years old and regarded by the TED community as a legitimate thought leader.

In an age of isolation and social media bubbles, Kirk will help us rediscover the lost art of human interaction. He will show how, through empathy and curiosity, we can all have deeper and more fulfilling interactions with everyone in our lives.  

Kirk is co-creator and director of ABC’s You Can't Ask That, the multi-award winning television series which offers insight into the lives of misunderstood and marginalised Australians by breaking down stereotypes through asking the questions people are afraid to ask.   

Nerida will explain how, by partnering with the public, scientists collect and use data with facial recognition technology to study seadragons in a less intrusive way and get a more complete understanding of their lives. 

Nerida’s interests span marine environments, and her work encompasses the tropics to the poles, from shallow reefs to the deep sea. A Molecular Systematics Unit Manager at Western Australian Museum, she has developed an intriguing collaborative community-science project to monitor and conserve seadragons. 

Ten years ago, Shani gave her first TEDxPerth talk about Hulbert Street in Fremantle, WA, a remarkable story of a community coming together which made everyone want to live there. Now Shani returns to continue the story of community resilience in the most turbulent of times – during the pandemic years.     

Shani will share how her mission to develop a more resilient community grew and moved from a street in Fremantle to part of an entire suburb. Shani is a sustainability consultant.

When Andrew’s mother – who is in her 90s – needed more help, he became properly aware of her needs and wants. The practical tasks he carried out when supporting his mother have shaped his passion for improving aged care in Australia. 

Known as 'WA’s Doctor' for the early part of the pandemic where he was a daily presence in most Western Australia’s homes through his frequent TV, radio, news and social media appearances, it was his turn to learn from his experience with his mother instead. An anaesthetist, columnist, and former President of Australian Medical Association WA, his entertaining manner and ingrained habit of direct speech helped set WA on a path to a world-leading response to COVID-19.  

Susie will share how a mission to improve driving accessibility for young people facing a variety of barriers led to fewer young people jailed for driving offences and fewer deaths on the roads.

She has a background working in disability support, homelessness, domestic violence and foster care; and currently, she is the Senior Community Engagement Officer at Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup.

The deep-sea floor is home to unknown quantities of minerals, including rare earth’s essential to renewable energy technology. But what are the ecological and other impacts of undersea mining, and who is responsible for protecting it?

Sandor has been a UN Scientist for over 20 years, primarily with the International Atomic Energy Agency and is also a Professor of Marine Geology at the Universidad Austral de Chile. Most recently, he has been involved in the documentary ‘Deep Rising’ with Aquaman star Jason Momoa.