Even with the recent backlash against DEI, many people believe they’re taking genuine steps to make themselves and their organisations less racist - but are they? In this thought-provoking talk, Professor Keon West reveals how much we assume and how little we truly know about the impact of our actions.He explores how to distinguish between meaningful change and well-intentioned nonsense, showing us how to tell the difference between speaking truth to power and simply talking about it. Professor Keon West is a prominent social psychologist at formerly at Goldsmiths, University of London, specialising in prejudice, identity, and intergroup relations.His influential research on racism and anti-LGBT discrimination has earned several prestigious honours, including the Michele Alexander Award and the APA’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ethnic Minority Issues. He’s also recognised for his teaching and mentoring excellence.A frequent contributor to Media articles, BBC / BBC Radio and Channel 4, West brings academic insights to mainstream conversations on bias. His 2025 book, The Science of Racism, presents an accessible, evidence-based examination of how racism persists in modern society.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
More from TED
- 9:11Traditional Knowledge and Climate Resilience | Wenceslaus Mendes | TEDxPanajiKnowledge resides in our environment and in the wisdom of our elders. Climate change threatens this valuable heritage, making its recovery and preservation essential for future generations. Wenceslaus Mendes is a filmmaker, artist, and independent researcher whose work spans journalism, theater, performance, and installation art. With training as a cinematographer and editor, he creates multimedia and immersive projects that have been exhibited globally. He collaborates with indigenous and tribal communities, focusing on issues of land, water, environment, sustainability, and climate change. Mendes documents oral cultures, practices, and ethno-technologies while also examining the politics of food, consumption, and knowledge-making. His research investigates race and caste in India, exploring themes of discrimination, purity, labor, and incarceration. Through what he calls "co-labor-abling," Mendes develops work collectively with communities, rooted in shared place, environment, and concerns. 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
- 10:11Breaking the Good Girl Script | Summaiya Afreen | TEDxPanajiSummaiya Afreen challenges gender bias, sharing her journey from setbacks to activism, urging society to prioritize girls’ success over “goodness. Summaiya Afreen is a celebrated social entrepreneur, changemaker, and co-founder of Lakshya Jeevan Jagriti, empowering youth from Delhi’s underserved communities through education, skills, and leadership. Overcoming societal biases, she now champions voice, choice, and equity for girls. Her leadership has earned global honors, including the Gratitude Network Fellowship Award (California, 2024), Global Good Fund Fellowship (USA, 2016), Young Social Entrepreneur Award (Singapore, 2017), and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Award (India, 2018). Recognised by the Ashoka & Robert Bosch Foundation’s at ChangemakerXchange, Goldman Sachs–IIM Bangalore. She has certifications from Swedish Institute and Harvard proving that resilience can spark lasting change. 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
