On the theme “Ripples of curiosity,” it will feature bold talks by scientists, artists and entrepreneurs who are creating ripples in their fields and transforming our world.
The event will be hosted in the CERN Main Auditorium on Saturday from 14:00 to 18:30 CET.
“One of CERN’s missions is to connect with people across the globe to inspire scientific curiosity and understanding,” said Charlotte Warakaulle, Director for International Relations. “Behind every breakthrough, there is a brave idea from a curious person. With this year’s TEDx, we celebrate innovators from all fields who inspire us with their stories of how curiosity creates ripples that can change our world.”
During this year’s event, pioneers from physics, biology, engineering, computing, the humanitarian field and the social sciences will share how their curiosity and work is shaping the ways we interact with the world around us.
For instance, medical biochemist Dennis Lo will recount how inspiration struck while he was cooking noodles, leading to his revolutionary procedure for non-invasive prenatal testing. Physicist Sheila Rowan will elucidate the phenomenal discovery of gravitational waves and how we can now study the most distant areas of the universe by listening to the space-time ripples that pass through Earth.
Psychologist and entrepreneur Gary Marcus will explain how he plans to build a human mind from scratch by making artificial intelligence smarter. Science policy expert Eleonore Paweuls will highlight the promise and perils of DNA editing, which involves replacing faulty genes to treat and cure diseases. Physicist Laura Baudis will tell us why she is looking for dark matter deep underground.
Other topics include global literacy, DIY science, drones, oceanography, health innovations and the origins of creativity.
The event is divided into two sessions; the first takes place between 14:00 and 15:45 and the second, from 16:30 to 18:15. These will be enriched by educational videos, and followed by a musical performance by Agalma Foundation.
A limited number of places are available to the general public. Attendance is by invitation only, so anyone interested must contact the organisers through the TEDxCERN website no later than midnight on 16 October. The event will also be broadcast live online and at number of webcast partner institutions.
Places have been reserved for journalists in possession of a press card; please contact the Press Office for accreditation as soon as possible and no later than 28 October. Since space is limited, they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please specify in your request if you wish to interview the speakers.
Journalists are also invited to a panel discussion the day before, Friday, 4 November, at 17.30-19.00, moderated by Olivier Dessibourg, science editor at Le Temps. Some of the TEDxCERN 2016 speakers, such as Marcus Gary, Dennis Lo and Eleonore Pauwels, will discuss the identity-changing technologies that are redefining how we perceive our health, lifestyles and roles in society. They will also answer questions from the audience. To sign up, please send an email to Press Office by 28 October.
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