MOTIVATIONAL talks inspired visitors who turned out to the second TEDx talks staged in Bolton.

TEDxUniversityofBolton returned and featured 16 speakers grappling with the theme of ‘Innovate, Integrate, Educate’

TEDxUniversityofBolton is a student-led conference which brings together innovative thinkers from across the university and the larger community ‘to explore ideas for our collective future under the TED ethos of ‘ideas worth spreading’’ — and more than 100 people turned out for a day of discussion, inspiration and learning at the Queen’s Specialist Building in Farnworth.

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Kondal Reddy Kandadi; Assistant Vice-Chancellor Quality, Professor Patrick McGhee and Professor of Psychology, Professor Jerome Carson all returned after delivering enlightening talks at the inaugural TEDxUniversityofBolton event.

Other speakers included David Hopkins, Professor in the School of Education and Psychology; Professor David Thacker, Professor of Theatre at the University of Bolton and Professor Steve Fuller, Auguste Comte Professor of Social Epistemology in the Department of Sociology at the University of Warwick.

Ianis Matsoukas at the university said:"TEDxUniversityofBolton deliver ideas worth sharing that educate, inspire and empower women in the field of education, business administration, science and arts.  We were delighted to see an abundance of qualified and talented women speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise.

"Sue Beckingham, one of the Top 50 UK Higher Education Social Media Influencers, delivered an inspired talk on the importance of lifelong learning! Among the other female motivational speakers, talks were given by Dr Sarah Telfer, Dr Daniela Bacova, the Artist Michiko Nitta, and Psychology student Victoria Coates."

Organisers said that TEDxUniversityofBolton gives important ideas a voice — ‘the sort of ideas that catch our curiosity; insight that challenges our attitudes and inspires new ones’

Aymen Mohamed, Executive Masters in Business student and marketing and communications team leader for the event said: “With great support from the volunteers and the University of Bolton, TEDxUOB2017 returned and was extremely successful. All the speakers interacted with the audience and the volunteers had once again shown their dedication and talents. I hope that the next event will be even bigger with more people involved. It is not only great for the university but also the community as a whole as we are representing the town of Bolton.”

Ian Smith, second year photography student, said: “TEDx 2017 provided me with a great opportunity to meet many staff/students I would not ordinarily meet in my regular student activities. A great opportunity to put into action many of the skills that I am learning as a student.

“It was good to see the enthusiasm and above all the commitment to make it ‘happen’.”