The University of Bath, Bath Spa University and Bath College are teaming up to support TEDxBath’s Inter-Connected 2021 event, which seeks to explore how communities can thrive through the endless possibilities of local and global inter-connections.
Inter-Connected, which takes place on November 18 and 19, will discuss topics ranging from range from healthcare in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic to harnessing the learnings from Black Lives Matter for a connected future.
Other talks will highlight the treatment of marginalised communities and how this affects one another along with homelessness, hope and human connection.
Bath Spa University’s Locksbrook Campus will be the venue for two in-person ‘watch parties’ while students from all three institutions will also be involved in staging events. All students are being offered free digital access to the talks.
The watch parties – one on each evening – will feature streamed pre-recorded talks from speakers, supported by Bath-based film production company Suited & Booted and Melksham LED display firm InfiLED. There will also be live talks from selected speakers and a live Q&A.
All three institutions have also committed to working together to support TEDxBath after Inter-Connected, providing crucial resources that enable the independently organised and not-for-profit TED event to continue its theme ‘ideas worth sharing’.
The students at the event will get real-world work experience in the events industry as well as gaining inspiration from the innovative talks.
A number of students will be invited to join the curated in-person audience, while sponsorship support from the collaborative institutions will provide all students with free access to virtual tickets.
Bath Spa University pro vice-chancellor external Andy Salmon said: “We are delighted to support TEDxBath and to help develop exciting new ways for our staff and students to contribute to the development of our home city as an inspiring place to live and learn together.
“Our Locksbrook campus feels like the ideal venue to host this year’s event, given the theme and the venue’s innovative design and collaborative space.”
University of Bath vice-chancellor Professor Ian White added: “We look forward to working with TEDxBath. The university exists to support the development and sharing of ideas, and we are delighted to be part of this initiative in our city.”
Bath College principal & chief executive Jayne Davis said gaining access to a community like TEDxBath, as well as first-hand experience supporting the event behind the scenes, would be invaluable to its students.
TEDxBath curation lead Geoff Rich said: “We are thrilled to be working together with the higher education institutions in Bath and we very much look forward to welcoming the participation of their students, staff, ideas and energy as part of this event and our growing community.”
Among those giving talks at this year’s TEDxBath will be former UN chief interpreter Ewandro Magalhaes, Bath Spa University’s former Professor of Drawing Tania Kovats, and Dr Andy Georgiou, the former director of the intensive care unit at the Royal United Hospital.
TEDxBath Inter-Connected 2021 will be streamed in multiple languages including English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese and British Sign.
Tickets can be bought here
