TEDxDePaulUniversity applications are open: What’s your idea worth spreading?

Now in its fourth year, DePaul’s TEDx event on April 12, 2019, will unite the university community for a half-day of idea-driven programming at the Holtschneider Performance Center, the new home of the School of Music. All faculty, staff, student and alumni thought leaders are invited to apply. 

The world-famous TEDx platform provides a megaphone for ideas that are shared at local events, such as the ones held at DePaul. To date, DePaul’s TEDx videos have generated approximately 250,000 views on YouTube. Past speakers say participation in TEDxDePaulUniversity led to professional opportunities, such as visibility for their academic work, speaking engagements throughout the world, media interviews and growth of their personal networks.

This year's theme, “Fast Forward,” invites potential speakers to envision, confront and reframe the challenges of tomorrow. Creative interpretations of the theme are encouraged. 

For the TEDxDePaulUniversity 2018 theme, “Reimagine,” speakers offered fresh perspectives on a variety of topics including forgiveness, classical music, idols and icons, failure, the liberal arts, self-respect and community involvement. They shared their expertise and experiences to tell powerful stories of perseverance, scholarship and defying expectations.

Speaker applications are being accepted from DePaul faculty, staff, students and alumni until Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. (CT) here. Following committee review, selected speakers will be notified on or before Dec. 20. 

Like other popular TEDx talks, speakers and performers interested in applying for TEDxDePaulUniversity should be devoted to creating “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx talks and performances incorporate concepts that change perceptions, connect with emotions, are widely relatable and can be conveyed in 18 minutes or less.

Each of DePaul's TEDx events has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm and support by those both within and beyond the DePaul community. Last year, more than 100 faculty, staff, students and alumni submitted speaker applications and more than 230 people attended the event in May. Attendees described the talks as “inspirational,” “necessary,” inclusive,” “thought-provoking” and “motivational.” One attendee remarked: “This is what education is all about.”

Want to be a speaker, but need inspiration? Explore TED's video library at TED.com or view TEDxDePaulUniversity talks from previous years here.

TEDxDePaulUniversity 2019 will be held April 12 from 1-5 p.m. at the Holtschneider Performance Center, 2330 N. Halsted St. For more information about the event, visit the TEDxDePaulUniversity website.

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.

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.

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