The Hidden Power of Accents: Identity, Bias & Belonging | Steven Feraru | TEDxArendal
: In this entertaining talk, Steven breaks down why accents can make us seem smarter, sillier, sexier — or just totally lost in translation. Through jokes and sharp insight, he shows how the way we sound influences how we’re judged and how we judge others. If you’ve ever felt like a bad Google Translate version of yourself abroad, this one’s for you. Steven is a communicator, creative strategist, and lifelong observer of how language shapes human behavior. He has produced hundreds of videos, coached leaders on how to present themselves online, and worked internationally — from Spain to the United States — where he discovered firsthand how accents transform the way we’re perceived. His work sits at the intersection of identity, culture, and communication, and he brings humor to every stage he steps on. Steven’s accessible style, honest storytelling, and cross-cultural experience make him a trusted guide to understanding the voices we all carry. 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
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- 6:26Exploring astronomy through the lens of magic | Lukas Steinwender | TEDxSwinburne UniversityMagic and astronomy do not have a lot in common, or do they? Lukas Steinweinder explains that these two very different things share the one thing in common, and may provide a new way to teach science. Driven by child-like wonder and awe, Lukas aspires to find mysteries within our universe and inspire others to do the same. This desire is rooted in his passion for sleight of hand magic, the art of sharing little wonders with everyone. Thinking like a magician sparked a wide variety of interests, bridging fields from 3d-art via artificial intelligence to astrophysics – always with the motive of learning more about the wonders of our universe. 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
- 10:43Generative AI as a human-centered visualisation tool | Hao Wei Tu | TEDxSwinburne UniversityGenerative AI has made a massive impact on the world over the last 5 years. In particular Image Generative AI has become increasingly more capable. There are certain constraints that humans have when imagining new concepts or ideas that do not exist for AI. Is it then possible to envision new ideas that are outside the constraints of human thought? Hao Wei (Howard) Tu is a PhD candidate at Swinburne University of Technology. Howard investigates how image-generative AI tools can support scientific organisations. The first designer from East Asia to win The One Club’s Young Ones Portfolio Award, his work has also earned six Red Dot Awards and more than fifty international design awards. 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
- 10:01The world's diversity is wasted until we learn to fuse it | Divesh Sareen | TEDxSwinburne UniversityThe world is filled with diverse perspectives, and each perspective is formed from many different factors. But what happens when two different perspectives meet? How should leaders respond? This diversity of thought is wasted unless leaders and individuals learn to fuse it. Divesh Sareen is an Indian-Australian entrepreneur, author, technology professional, and community leader. After completing a Bachelor of Business Administration in India, he moved to Melbourne in 2008 to pursue a Master’s in Information Technology. He is the founder of After The Why, Migrants Life, and The Leader Speaks - platforms dedicated to leveraging technology, fostering personal growth, advancing leadership, and empowering migrants. 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
- 8:35How reality changes our perspective and creates our identity | Hugo Walsh | TEDxSwinburne UniversityOur journey through university and into a career reveals new perspectives and forms an integral part of our identity. In a research based career, this journey can teach us a lot about who we are and what we believe in. What happens during those years and what lessons can we learn? Hugo is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing. His research connects occupational psychology and astronomy to investigate how observational astronomers view their roles and how their occupational identity evolves over time. Drawing on large-scale surveys and in-depth interviews, he combines quantitative and qualitative methods to connect insights into individual experiences with broader shifts in the community as we advance towards the next generation of observational astronomy, discoveries, and researchers 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
- 8:30The power of hyperfixation in science | Pixel Hodgson | TEDxSwinburne UniversitySpace is an ever-growing field with many new opportunities, however, the next generation of young people feel disinterested in what is happening. Australia is at the forefront of space exploration, but how do we get young people involved? How do we ensure that everyone gets to have a fair opportunity, especially those that are neurodivergent? Pixel Hodgson (she/they) is a student at Swinburne University, enthusiastic about spaceflight, cosmology, and astrophysics. She has dedicated herself to space exploration and the study of distant worlds. In 2023 she won the Swinburne Youth Space Challenge with a mission proposal to a distant asteroid, contributing to a space station experiment as a reward. She is currently collaborating with national ministers on frameworks and timelines for Australia's rapidly expanding space industry. 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
- 7:39AI needs to be more chaotic | Shrey Patel | TEDxSwinburne UniversityAI is the new trend. Students are using it, researchers are using it, and generative AI has fundamentally reshaped the world. But AI does not do something that humans do, and by adopting this, we could develop AI that is far more human. Many words can be used to describe Shrey: curious, optimistic, and of course, problem solver (occasionally, creator of problems as well). He is a data science master’s student blending technology, storytelling, and diverse perspectives to inspire everyone. He is passionate about multiculturalism, human connection, and human evolution, and believes every challenge is an opportunity to grow and overcoming one is a story worth sharing. 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
