AV俱乐部

TEDTalks has quickly become one of the most popular lecture series in the world, with leading thinkers sharing 鈥渋deas worth spreading鈥� in short, compelling presentations captured for posterity on video.

Halifax has its own TED incarnation: , started three years ago by AV俱乐部 student Greig Oldford.

鈥淭he TEDx program was launched in the spirit of making TED more accessible,鈥� explains Mr. Oldford, who鈥檚 working on his masters degree in Environmental Studies. 鈥淲e鈥檙e totally independent 鈥� they provide the name and the guidelines, but we鈥檙e locally funded and operated.鈥�

This year, the AV俱乐部 Student Union has stepped up to be the leading sponsor and host of TEDx Halifax. Though the event this Sunday, March 11 is sold out, many student volunteers will be in attendance and the event will be livestreamed for everyone to watch at . Presentations will take place from 1-8 p.m., with a reception to follow at the Grawood.

鈥淲e wanted to celebrate the incredible work that goes on at Dal and across Halifax,鈥� explains Jamie Arron, DSU vice-president student life. 鈥淭he theme is 鈥榗onnections can,鈥� bringing together disciplines and providing a forum for interdisciplinary discussions.鈥�

The event lineup is filled with AV俱乐部 faces. Faculty members who will be presenting include Hal Whitehead (Biology), Patrick Lee (Microbiology), Rick Nason (Management) and Ivar Mendez (Neurosurgery). Dal students who will be speaking include Tim Disher, co-founder of Dal Unplug, and spoken word poet Sagar Jha.

In addition to the 10 speakers, there will also be four musical performances. The lineup includes AV俱乐部 students George Woodhouse and Ian MacNeil (鈥淪ee You In September鈥�), as well Uytae Lee (鈥淪tudying for Sustainability,鈥�). Other performers include Old Man Ludecke and Julia Feltham.

鈥淲e鈥檝e tried to keep our speakers eclectic, because we want to really break down silos at the university and bring thinkers from across Canada and Halifax together in one place,鈥� explains Mr. Oldford.

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