Meet The Speakers Of The TEDxUniversityofMalta 2017 Conference
The annual TEDxUniversityofMalta conference will be held this April, and it’s time to meet the six speakers of the 2017 edition, Curating Curiosity.
The culmination of three mini discussion-events (the final of which will be held at Emma’s Kitchen this Wednesday) which have been supported by Lovin Malta, this year’s conference will be delving deep into the concept of inquisitiveness. People in today’s fast-paced life might feel like we’ve come so far that there is little left for us to improve or even feel curious about. This conference aims to rekindle those important concepts all over again, and these are the people aiming to bring that forward.
1. Alexandra Pace
In Alexandra’s own words, “the creative and the curious have much to learn from each other.” Four years ago, she started the project that evolved into Blitz, an independent contemporary art space.
Offering a space for the evolution of contemporary art in Malta, Alexandra aims to share the stories that continue to lead her on this journey she set out on back in 2013.
2. Alexia Curmi
Alexia has been a Forensic Court Expert with the Malta Magisterial Court since 2007. She also teaches Biology, Chemistry and Science at St. Catherine’s High School in Pembroke. Even though her job deals with violent crimes like rape and murder, she makes it a point to keep a positive outlook on life, and enjoys singing, cooking and reading about sharks in her free time.
For her TEDx spot, she’s going to be talking about what she knows and what she loves in a very interesting mix: forensic work and sharks.
3. Andrea Dibben
A lecturer within the Department of Social Policy and Social Work, Dr. Andrea Dibben has a great deal of experience within the social sector, from being a social worker in NGOs with homeless women, to serving as the Director for the University of Malta’s Cottonera Resource Centre (which she helped set up).
Dr. Dibben will be looking at the concept of motherhood, and how the current model of an “ideal mother” needs to be challenged in an effort to try and redefine motherhood. There is an oppressive nature to the concept of ‘sacrificial motherhood’, and Dr. Dibben aims to explore that further.
4. Ludvic Zrinzo
An academic neurosurgeon at the UCL Institute of Neurology, Ludvic also serves as Visiting Consultant Neurosurgeon in Malta.
Publishing over 140 peer-reviewed papers, Zrinzo will be taking about the literal source of human curiosity; the brain. He’ll be talking about his experiences with the guests, to share what he himself calls “a journey that continues to raise some of the most interesting and challenging questions that nature has to offer.”
5. Maria Attard
Maria Attard is the Head of Geography and the Director of the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta.
She will be talking about the concept of mobility and what that implies in the 21st century. Definitely touching on issues like Malta’s excessive amount of cars, Attard will be bringing up a point she insists everyone knows deep down; we cannot keep driving our cars to oblivion. Now is the best opportunity to talk about the next step.
6. Thomas Camilleri
A curious soul at heart, Thomas discovered his passion in the theatre, which has taken him around the world.
Thomas doesn’t see curiosity as a choice, but a constant state of mind. For this year’s TEDx conference, he’ll be talking about the curiosity that lead him on so many different adventures across the years. According to him, “whether you see us as being in a renaissance or the dark ages, curiosity is vital.”
Curating Curiosity will be held on the 7th of April at the Valletta Campus of the University of Malta, and tickets are available right now from the official website.
Tag a friend who’s always been very curious!
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