TEDxUofA

Join us for this year's TEDxUofA event, Desert Genius, on Friday, Oct. 18 at Centennial Hall from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m., including a 30-minute intermission.

Say “desert” and some might conjure a forbidding wasteland where no life dare go. The reality is that the Sonoran Desert is one of the most biodiverse regions in the United States, home to thousands of species of plants and animals whose ingenuity in adapting to our difficult desert climate is part of what gives this place its spirit. And it’s that spirit we’re celebrating at this year’s TEDxUofA event, Desert Genius.

“Desert” because we’re proud of our home and the way it shapes our work. “Genius” because of the sheer caliber of that work and how it resonates. Come celebrate resilience and ingenuity as U of A collaborators and researchers discuss a world of ideas, including urban heat, dark skies, food as medicine, digital poetry archives and more.

2024 Speakers

Theresa Crimmins, PhD

Assoc Professor in the School of Natural Resources & the Environment and Director of the USA National Phenology Network

Chris Impey, PhD

University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, College of Science

Ladd Keith, PhD

Associate Professor of Planning, College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture

Sarah Kortemeier, MFA, MA

Associate Librarian and Library Director, the University of Arizona Poetry Center, College of Humanities

Michael Kotutwa Johnson, PhD

Assistant Professor Indigenous Resilience, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences

Jodie Lewers Chertudi

Visual Artist

Shad Marvasti, MD, MPH

Founding Director of The Culinary Medicine Program, College of Medicine– Phoenix

Amy C. Oliver, FRAS

MLSC SkyNights Presenter, Director of Smithsonian STARS

Desireé Reed-Francois

Vice President and Director of Athletics, the University of Arizona

Sankha Subhra Mahanti

PhD candidate in the Department of Geosciences

Jekan Thanga, PhD

Associate Professor Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering

Head of SpaceTREx Laboratory

Performers

Black N' Blue Hip Hop Crew

U of A Hip Hop Crew

Brian López

Singer/Songwriter, Alumnus, College of Fine Arts

Past TEDxUofA Event Playlists

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxUofA, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxUofA event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

Apply to be a Speaker

Do you or someone you know want to be a speaker on the TEDxUofA Stage? If you have an idea worth spreading and you are ready to stand on the red dot, apply today!

Apply Now

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