DePaul University Newsline > Sections > Campus and Community > Speaker applications for TEDxDePaulUniversity 2020 are open

Speaker applications for TEDxDePaulUniversity 2020 are open

Tyree Taylor
DePaul graduate student Tyree Taylor presents his talk, “The power of love: A spark for community change,” at TEDxDePaulUniversity 2019. (DePaulUniversity/Jeff Carrion)
The world-famous TEDx platform is returning to The School of Music’s Holtschneider Performance Center on April 24 and is now accepting speaker applications from all solution seekers in the DePaul community interested in sharing their “ideas worth spreading.” 

This year’s theme, “The Unexpected,” aims to explore how some of life’s most important lessons are the ones that were unforeseen. From science and technology to the minutiae of everyday life, potential speakers are invited to examine ideas, tasks, research and processes that can lead to astonishing outcomes. 

The theme for last year’s TEDxDePaulUniversity event, “Fast Forward,” brought speakers together with educational and empowering presentations that engaged the public in visions for the future. Topics that were explored included human rights, classical music, decision making, environmental involvement, political structures and more. Audience members describe the talks given from former speakers as “compelling,” “dynamic,” and “important.”

Past TEDxDePaulUniversity talks have accumulated more than two million YouTube views, confirming the important content and timeliness of what DePaul thought leaders have to say. Past speakers have received media opportunities, speaking engagements, expanded interest in their academic work or talk topic, and have found that making it to the TEDx stage adds credibility to the work they do.

Speakers and performers interested in applying for TEDxDePaulUniversity should challenge themselves to communicate their “idea worth spreading” in a way that engages the audience, is timely, aims to seek solutions and can be conveyed in 18 minutes or less. 

Applicants seeking inspiration are also urged to explore the video library at TED.com or previous videos of TEDxDePaulUniversity talks, which can be viewed here

Applications to present at TEDxDePaulUniversity will be accepted from faculty, staff, students and alumni until Dec. 2, here. Selected speakers will be notified on or before January 22 following committee review. 

TEDxDePaulUniversity 2020 will be held April 24 from 1-5 p.m. at the Holtschneider Performance Center, 2330 N. Halsted St. For more information about the event, visit the TEDxDePaulUniversity website.

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.

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, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Pope Francis and Daniel Kahneman.