By: Hailey Temple
The School of Information Studies (iSchool) is supporting the second annual TEDx Syracuse University event that empowers individuals to spread ideas that impact the community. TEDx SyracuseUniversity, planned for April 17, will bring together thought leaders from Syracuse’s technology, entertainment, and design backgrounds to host short lectures on local issues and popular trends.
TEDx stems from the original TED events that promote the mantra “ideas worth spreading” – where international leaders in their fields gather to speak and find inspiration from one another. The “x” denotes a local conference that seeks to educate and engage communities around the world.
After last year’s success with the TEDx conference on campus, event organizers wanted to recapture the spirit of the event and introduce new thought leaders to the community. TEDx SyracuseUniversity is an entirely student-run event and organized by students from across Syracuse University’s colleges. Emma Herrera, a sophomore at the iSchool, took the role as the conference’s lead organizer after working on last year’s TEDx team.
“Our team was so excited and proud to coordinate TEDx the first year, and I wanted to get that rush again,” said Herrera. “There is so much work involved, but we have a great team and it’s worth it to see everything come to life.”
The TEDx SyracuseUniversity team will select about ten speakers to present on topics relevant to the Syracuse community. Speaker topics range from urban growth to digital currency with speakers from all backgrounds – students, professors, faculty, and local professionals. The TEDx team is accepting speaker applications through Friday, January 30 and invites individuals from across campus to apply.
“The conference allows community members to inspire each other and to have their fingers on the pulse of local issues and concerns. We hope our speakers will reflect the wants and needs of Syracuse University and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Herrera.
Follow TEDx SyracuseUniversity on Twitter or Facebook to get updates from the team.