Being a beast machine
What explains the experience of being a conscious self – of being you? Drawing on cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience and old ideas from psychology and control theory, Anil Seth describes how our conscious selves emerge from a fundamental biological drive to stay alive in an unpredictable world.
How to Reboot Civilisation after an Apocalypse
Maybe it was an asteroid impact, a nuclear war, or a viral pandemic. Whatever the cause, the world as we know it has ended and your community of survivors must start again. What key knowledge would you need to accelerate the rebooting of civilisation from scratch? In this fascinating talk, Lewis Dartnell argues that the most important think you will need is the knowledge contained in a book. Not just any book, but a bespoke post-apocalyptic book with which you could reboot civilisation.
What is Big Data and why does it matter?
What is Big Data? Can it help us solve some of society’s big challenges? If so, how? Donna Green provides answers to these and other questions in this fact filled and fascinating talk.
Black History Matters
Black History should not just be important to Black people but should be important to all peoples for a fuller understanding of the relationship between black & white people socially and politically. Yes, Black History Matters and Black Lives Matter is only the beginning of a process.
My mission to cure Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, an illness that robs people of their memories and eventually their lives. In this inspiring talk, neuroscientist Nazira Albargothy explains Alzheimer's, and argues why society should support the research that offers the hope of curing this disease.
Lessons for democracy from wireless networks
In this wide ranging and fascinating talk, Richard Thanki explain how lessons learnt from managing the explosion of wireless networks can be applied to a range of social issues: from helping some of the world's most vulnerable people, establishing fair intellectual property rights, to conserving the Earth's natural resources
What depression taught me
Sharing real life stories is a way that people can talk honestly about the hidden issues that affect individuals and society. In this inspirationa and powerful talk, Debs recounts her her own experiences with depression and despair and how this led her to founding a network to help others share and connect.
Five Questions for Happiness at Work and Home
Happy workers are productive workers. In this fact filled, fascinating talk, Vanessa King presents a range or research that shows just that and then goes on to powerfully argue why employers need to enhance the happiness, wellbeing and resilience of their employees.
Why the meaning of life is a joke
Humans have big brains, complex languages, and complicated societies. In this insightful, entertaining and very funny talk, comedian Iszi Lawrence explains human evolution, the rise of social networks, and ultimately the meaning of life itself.
Why we need inclusive histories
In this funny, fascinating, and at times personal and moving talk, author and historian Nazneen Ahmed tells the stories of people who migrated, and in doing so made rich multicultural communities that can thrive today
The Power of Liveable Cities
Why is it that despite us living closer together and having more access to communication tools, we feel more disconnected? In this inspirational and empowering talk, Megan Streb from Sustrans explores how we can be more connected to ourselves, our community, and our environment.
Win the battle between your own worst enemy and your inner hero
What relationship with self is best for both self and society? After deliberately giving up the status and material security of his Ad Agency Director self, in favour of the non status and material insecurity of his homeless Big Issue selling self, Chris discovered a profoundly paradoxical truth about both self and society.
Why economists worry about the wrong things
For years, experts have judged the success of our economies by a single measure: Gross Domestic Product. But, invented in the manufacturing age at a time of Depression and war, GDP is no longer up to the task of telling us what makes our modern economies and societies tick.
The transformative power of social media
In this engaging and incredibly powerful talk, fashion academic and researcher Stacey Heale explains how her life was transformed by her partner's stage 4 cancer diagnosis, and why social media proved to be both a safety net and catalyst to positive actions.
Feminism: Not just for females
Feminism is a topic often discussed by adults. In this passionate talk Yael-Louise adds to the feminism discussion from a youth perspective.
You can make it
So you think you are not creative? Anna Hester Skelton challenges that idea by discussing how it is important to be creative even if you don’t think you can be.
What if you discovered you have a superpower?
Does everyone have a superpower? When Elinor Austin was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome she was forced to find her inner superpowers. Along the way, she explored the strength and resilience of people facing difficulties
Be More Forrest
Find out how living your life in the footsteps of Forrest Gump will make your world a better place. Rob Pope did just that, as he ran five times across America and realised that if everyone could adopt a mindset to: “Be More Forrest”, they’d make it a better place for others too.
Small musical instruments making big social changes
Southampton Ukulele Jam SUJ is a community of people who support campaigns focused on helping people made vulnerable by mental ill health, substance use disorders, homelessness and domestic violence. In this funny, and energetic performance they explain how they hope to be a force for good in what can be at times a difficult world, all via their love of playing good songs, moderately well (with enthusiasm) on small toy instruments. Southampton Ukulele Jam are more than meets the eye.
Mine! The Power of Ownership
Ownership is a peculiar human preoccupation which defines who we are. Ownership controls our lives and yet, very few things have labels on them. In this fascinating and funny talk, Bruce Hood explain how children learn about ownership, and how ownership influences our pro-sociality and our values in a changing material world.
The Burger Apocalypse
Reducing your food carbon footprint is one of the most effective ways to reduce your impact on the environment, and it can save you a lot of money too. In this entertaining (and participative!) Tony Curran explains the A-B-C of low carbon eating: Avoid wasting food, Buy in-season food, and Choose low carbon foods more.
How to make a key change to society
Grant Sharky is a man, on a mission: to released an album every 6 months for 20 years. In this hilarious performance, Grant skewers all manner of social issues with nothing more than a double bass and microphone.
Breaking the spell of loneliness
Author George Monbiot and musician Ewan McLennan seeks to address the curse of our age: a crowded planet stricken by loneliness.
A city's history and memory
In this fascinating talk, historian Cheryl Butler takes us on journey into Southampton's rich and very varied past. In doing so she explain not just where the city has come from, but where it could head into the future.
How community journalism can tackle social neglect
Community journalist Claudia Murg gives a passionate and very personal argument for why good journalism is local journalism. Along the way she recounts her remarkable journey from Communist Romania to British chip shop worker and on to award-winning TV reporting.
Making end of life care matter
In this profound, moving and at times funny talk, end of life care practitioner Deb Wilkes makes a passionate argument for why we should all take an interest in how we manage our loved ones and our own deaths. As she explains, we only have once chance to get it right.
My artistic exploration of sustainability versus growth
Scottish-based artist Ellie Harrison explains how reflecting on the dangers of climate change and our unsustainable lifestyles led her to undertake a series of provocative, surreal, and at times very funny art works and social actions.
Art and Identity
Unlike the port cities of the North, Southampton has long been described as a soulless city, lacking identity. In this funny and at times quite challenging talk, Catherine Wright ask us to consider to what extent is this true, does it even matter and how can talking to artists help us understand ourselves?
Why eating bugs will soon become the new normal
A mouthful of mealworms may not be your first thought when hungry, but perhaps you will think differently after this fascinating talk from Dr Jenny Josephs in which she makes a compelling argument for why in the not too distant future eating insects will become the new normal.
The free economy is worth much more than you think
In this inspirational talk, Cara Sandys tells her story of a life dedicated to giving and receiving. Books, art, holidays, friendships, have all been based on a spirit of sharing and adventure. In telling her story Cara explains just how much the freeconomy is worth and how grassroots communities show that the best things in life really are free.
How to make our cities open and democratic
In this compelling talk, Bradley Garrett asks us to join a revolution that will claim and protect open spaces in cities. Drawing on a long tradition of trespass, Bradley argues that defending public spaces is necessary given what appears to be the continual privatisation of our cities.
Let’s fix food waste and hunger
What would you do if you learnt how much perfectly good food was thrown away by stores? If you were Miguel Gonzalez then you would start a social enterprise that would “harvest” this food before it reached landfill and turn it into a tasty and nutritious snack. In this inspiring talk, Miguel shows us how a waste and food revolution is within our grasp.
How to achieve good lives that don’t cost the Earth
How can we achieve good lives that don’t cost the Earth? In this fascinating talk, Saamah Abdallah argues that this requires making three big shifts in society. A tall order yes, but well within our grasp.
Explore your gift
Not all talents or gifts are obvious, nor are they recognised by society. But what if you have a one of these gifts? In an impassioned talk Alex Blower champions the importance of soft skills and the need for society and more importantly, individuals to recognise these gifts.
The second half of the climate chess board
"Exponentials can’t go on forever because they will gobble up everything" (Carl Sagan). In this fun interactive talk Kyle hosts the paper folding world cup and attempts to fit the world's rice onto a chess board, before ending on a serious message about human impact on the environment
We are small
The sun is a grain of sand -- Chris Marsden discusses the vastness of distant galaxies and the Extragalactic Universe to contextualise humanities place within this universe. Chris Marsden is a PhD student and the University of Southampton, studying how Galaxies co-evolve with Supermassive Black Holes on Cosmological Scales.
Exploring Neurodiversity & Neuroindividuality in technology
Is technology accessible? Gary Smith explores the inequality of the technology used in technology and how it is not built with neurodiversity in mind. Gary is developing apps for neuro-individualism creating more accessible technology for all.
How can you future-proof your career portfolio?
How does diversity connect horses and watch repairers? Dr Jamie Mackay explores how technology is changing businesses, and what jobs might be safe in the future. How many people will be creating their own jobs in the future?
The great wonders of curiosity
Did curiosity kill the cat? Not according to Rianna Javier! Humans and animals are naturally curious beings which leads to many benefits and the development of mental abilities. Curiosity can improve mood, memory skills and help to break bad habits. Curiosity killed the cat; but satisfaction brought it back.
Your tribe is your vibe
An impassioned talk about how the people you choose to surround yourselves with can shape your future. From gang activity and a growing criminal record which led to a near fatal knife attack, Baz was saved by boxing and the positive role models it brought into his life. Baz now fights to stop other young people from going down a negative path of aggression and crime which it can be impossible to come back from.
Prosthetics Under Pressure
Losing a limb for many is unthinkable, but for too many it is a reality. This talk looks at the process of rehabilitation, focussing on the challenges and importance of a well-fitting prosthetic socket.
Your Obstacles are Your Biggest Opportunities
Volunteering and obstacles unleashing the best life you could live.
Why LGBTQ+ should be taught in schools
My talk has my personal story mixed in with why it is important for schools to educate their students on LGBTQ+ by using my own experiences and close friends’ experiences. Tells a story on how it’s okay to be who you are.
How To Manipulate Reality
How do we create the life we want instead of the life they told us to have? Mental Performance Expert Roy Redd suggest that you can create anything you want in life when you have a sufficient amount of personal power. Roy explains how to generate personal power by having his secret four foundations.
Mental Health: What Next?
A global conversation has been kick started on mental health in the past decade yet, owing to the limitations of language, we're often having it at cross purposes. How do we overcome the frustrations and misunderstandings? Natasha Devon, activist and former government mental health adviser, has a few ideas.
You can save the world!
What if our love of sea creatures leads us to see the devastating effects humans have on the ocean? What if that's not presented in a disabling, overwhelming way? What if our passion and understanding arm us with superpowers and we CAN make a difference? Now we're talking.
Are you living with fear or living in fear?
We miss opportunities to progress, be happy and really achieve our true potential because we allow fear to hold us back.
Individuals can make positive social change happen
Founder of Embercombe Tim 'Mac Macartney addresses a live studio audience at Embrace the Change to talk about personal change and how individuals can make positive social change happen.
Alice Hooker-Stroud
Zero Carbon Britain is the flagship research project from the Centre for Alternative Technology, showing that a modern, zero-emissions society is possible using technology available today.
Positive News
Positive News is the world’s first positive newspaper. We report on positive developments from across the world and take a solution-focused perspective on the challenges facing society.
Doughnut Economics
Mainstream economics – as taught in universities, debated in the media, and utilised by governments – is based on outdated assumptions, leaving it ill-equipped for guiding us today. Alternative approaches – including ecological, feminist, and evolutionary economics, along with systems thinking and Earth-system science – have valuable insights if we are to achieve human rights and well-being for all within the means of this one planet.