As an educator of secondary-age students for over ten years now, I have witnessed numerous young people grow and navigate their paths towards adulthood. Some achieve this in a relatively calm and straightforward manner while others are dragged kicking and screaming over every hurdle that comes up. Navigating this path towards university and adulthood in China poses a range of unique and ever-evolving challenges and raises a number of questions about how best to support young people in their development. My talk aims to explore these questions based on my own experiences and observations while working with those wonderful beings we call teenagers. Jason Jeffries is from the UK and has been teaching since 2012. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology with Industrial Experience and a PGDE in Secondary Education from the University of Edinburgh. Since 2015, he has been teaching biology in Ningbo, China, and has also served as a university adviser for several years alongside his main teaching role. His hobbies include reading (both fiction and non-fiction), gardening, scuba diving, and travelling. 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

This talk, “Active Listening For Better Connections,” by Keriogo Odudare, reveals a quiet superpower most people ignore—yet it can transform relationships and careers and even save lives.We live in a noisy world. Everyone's talking. But who’s really listening?In this heartfelt and eye-opening talk, Keriogo shares personal stories, a painful lesson from a fractured friendship, and a near-missed medical diagnosis to highlight the urgency and beauty of truly hearing others. With wisdom beyond her years, she challenges our habits of passive hearing and quick replies and instead invites us to embrace intentional, empathetic listening—a skill that fosters trust, builds connection, and deepens understanding.What if you’ve been talking past people all along? What if the real key to influence, impact, and healing isn’t in what you say—but in how well you listen?Ready to learn the art that could change how you lead, love, and live?Watch this talk. Your ears—and your relationships—will thank you. Keriogo is a focused, principled, and compassionate 13-year-old Year 9 learner whose leadership is rooted in empathy and excellence. A two-time Class Prefect, she has consistently ranked top of her class and was named Overall Best Student in Years 4 and 8. Keriogo is a gifted communicator and a bright scholar, winning several competitions including the 2024 Spelling Bee and the Mathematics Challenge. Her TEDx talk, “Active Listening: Listening to Understand and not to Reply,” invites others to embrace deeper, more meaningful human connections. Outside the classroom, she enjoys music and reading, and she dreams of becoming a computer scientist, combining her intellect with a heart for people. 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

This talk offers a brief review of the history of artificial intelligence, followed by an exploration of recent projects that apply AI technologies to the preservation and transmission of Chinese cultural heritage. Featured examples include digital initiatives centred on Nanjing brocade and Baiju , as well as visual representations of Dunhuang apsaras. The talk also highlights two UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage projects: the preservation of Naxi Dongba script and Miao embroidery , both utilising state-of-the-art technologies. These projects have been exhibited publicly and have attracted wide audiences.This talk offers a brief review of the history of artificial intelligence, followed by an exploration of recent projects that apply AI technologies to the preservation and transmission of Chinese cultural heritage. Featured examples include digital initiatives centred on Nanjing brocade and Baiju, as well as visual representations of Dunhuang apsaras. The talk also highlights two UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage projects: the preservation of Naxi Dongba script and Miao embroidery, both utilising state-of-the-art technologies. These projects have been exhibited publicly and have attracted wide audiences. Zhang Kang is Head and Professor of Computational Media and Arts at the Information Hub, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou); Professor in the Division of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas at HKUST; Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Dallas; and Guest Professor at the China Academy of Arts. He was a Fulbright Distinguished Chair and is listed among Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Scientists (Lifetime Impact). Zhang has held academic positions in China, the UK, Australia, and the USA. His current research interests include computational aesthetics, visual languages, and generative art and design. He has published eight books and over 140 journal papers in these areas, and has delivered keynotes at conferences and forums across art and design, computer science, and management fields. 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

In the globalised, technology-driven world, many ‘traditional’ aspects of society seem threatened; among them, minority languages, such those spoken by lowland Scots and the Nuosu of China, and the practice and study of literature and translation. Just as minority cultures are threatened by globalisation, enrolment in the Humanities is dropping and (so some pessimists claim), human interpreters and translators will soon be replaced by chatbots. This talk challenges these assumptions of inevitable decline by showing that literary translation is a fundamentally human activity, that, among other things, can support minority languages and sustain traditional cultures. Moreover, literary translation in and out of minority languages can sustain marginalised cultures, not in a static but in a dynamic fashion. This talk draws on examples of verse by the Chinese writer, Jidi Majia, whose poetry about the Yi Minority, and in particular the traditions of the Nuosu people, has been translated into over 40 languages, including Scots. This talk draws on translations into Scots to demonstrate how literary translation can be an effective strategy for linguistic and cultural survival. John Corbett was appointed Professor of English at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) in September 2020. He served as Programme Director of English Language and Literature Studies (ELLS) from May 2021 until June 2022, when he became Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS). He has many years of experience of university teaching, research and administration in Scotland, Macau and Brazil, having formerly been a Professor at the Universities of Glasgow and Macau, and Visiting Professor at the University of Sao Paulo. He has wide teaching and research interests, with numerous publications in the areas of applied linguistics, translation studies, Scottish literature and the Scots language. 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

In an era of increasing environmental awareness, the fashion industry faces growing demands for sustainable practices and innovative design approaches. This talk delves into how fashion can lead the way in addressing sustainability challenges while pushing creative boundaries. Drawing from personal experiences as an independent designer, the speaker highlights the process of merging traditional craftsmanship with modern, eco-conscious materials and techniques. By showcasing examples of experimentation and design innovation, the talk inspires audiences to reimagine fashion as a platform for sustainability and creativity. Cindy Wei Zhang is a Zhuhai-based independent designer and founder of CINDY WEI ZHANG STUDIO. A graduate of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, she blends Western design concepts with Chinese cultural heritage. Her work is renowned for drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese elements, which she brings to life through intricate prints and embroidery. 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

This talk, What If Doing Nothing Is The Key To Doing Everything, by Purity Ugwu, asks a bold, countercultural question: What if the key to success isn’t in the hustle... but in the stillness?In a world obsessed with productivity, where every moment is measured in tasks completed and goals achieved, Purity dares us to slow down. With captivating storytelling and powerful historical references—from Einstein’s daydreams to da Vinci’s ceiling stares—she reveals a truth we’ve long ignored: doing nothing might be the most creative, transformative act of all.Why do we fear silence? Why do we rush to fill every gap in our day with noise, distraction, and busyness? What if boredom is not the enemy but the birthplace of genius?In this thought-provoking TEDx talk, Purity explores the science behind the “default mode” of the brain, the forgotten beauty of Dolce far niente, and the radical idea that rest is not laziness—it’s fuel for greatness. Purity is a lively and personable 15-year-old Year 11 learner who thrives on vibrant interactions and meaningful connection. As the School Social Prefect for 2024/25, she brings creativity and warmth to every event she helps organise. Her competitive edge shines through in her multiple inter-house victories, including the cycling competition. Outside of school, she values time with family, meeting new people, and exploring new places. Her outgoing nature and people skills position her as a natural connector and advocate for youth inclusion. 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