TED x SFU

The unexpectedly social world of gangs | Martin Bouchard | TEDxSFU

Gangs are social groupings that we often associate with violence. The violence itself make it seem like gang members

Your long text lack the social skills required to live prosocial lives. But the violence itself is not the product of individuals who lack the ability to connect with others. Instead, it’s a very unfortunate outcome of something deeply social that is reinforced in the gang. Gang violence is not a bad people problem; it’s a social network problem. In this talk, I show how this shift in thinking about the sociability of gang members matter for the way that we handle gang members coming through the criminal justice system, and what we expect of them when they are released. We can use the embeddedness of gang members in social networks to work with them through an exit plan that put prosocial connections at the forefront. Martin Bouchard is a Professor of Criminology at Simon Fraser University (SFU) where he leads the CaIN Lab: The Crime and Illicit Networks Laboratory. His research focuses on the ways in which social networks relate to gangs; how networks help understand the dynamics of gang violence, who gets into gangs, but also how they may help with gang exit. Dr. Bouchard works with a variety of government agencies and stakeholders interested in using network methods to reduce gang violence. His mentorship has been recognized with the SFU Graduate Studies Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision. He is also the 2018-2019 recipient of the WSC Fellows Award for individuals associated with the Western region who have made important contributions to the field of criminology. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Why are so many autistic adults undiagnosed? | Kip Chow | TEDxSFU

Contrary to popular belief, many autistic adults are undiagnosed or may not even know they’re autistic. Kip Chow…..

Contrary to popular belief, many autistic adults are undiagnosed or may not even know they’re autistic. Kip Chow, who was diagnosed as an adult, unpacks two of the main reasons why. Kip Chow is an autistic student dedicated to education, activism, and accessibility as pertaining to neurodiversity. Since discovering that they’re autistic as an adult, they aim to promote understanding and acceptance of autistic folks, especially undiagnosed and multiply marginalized ones. As a result, Kip has served as a panelist and speaker at a couple of student conferences for health care providers in training to address how they should move forward in interacting with autistic and otherwise marginalized patients. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Teaching Science with Compassion and Wonder | Lee Beavington | TEDxSFU

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of animal use in

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of animal use in research. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf Nature is an extraordinary teacher. When learning steps outside the walls of classrooms or labs— whether in the sciences or arts—it has the power to transform our relationship with the world. Outdoor education can connect us with nature, and guide us on a path of respect and reciprocity. Lee Beavington is a river walker, forest seeker, and island dweller. He is an award-winning author, educator and PhD candidate in Philosophy of Education at SFU. He also served as co-curator for the Wild Things: The Power of Nature in Our Lives exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver, recipient of the Award of Merit for Excellence in Exhibitions. His interdisciplinary research explores environmental ethics, place-based learning, and contemplative science education. He has worked and taught in five faculties at KPU, including the Amazon Field School. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

A brave new future for science beyond traditional animal models | Elisabeth Ormandy | TEDxSFU

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of animal research. The……

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of animal research. The efficacy of animal models in drug discovery, as described in this talk, remains an ongoing field of study. Statements in this talk have been challenged by scientists working in this field. We’ve flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf The prevailing science culture is one that unquestioningly sees animal models as the gold standard. Dr. Ormandy sheds light on the persistent use of animal models, why they are failing, and what we can do. She paints a picture of a new non-animal science paradigm and ends with a call to action for us all to seek out a brave new future for science. Elisabeth’s background in neuroscience, animal welfare and research ethics drives her passion for championing the replacement of animals in research, testing and science education. Elisabeth is co-founder and executive director of the Animals in Science Policy Institute (AiSPI), a national charity working to achieve better science without animals. She has been teaching at the University of British Columbia science 2011 and is routinely sought after as a policy advisor and speaker. Elisabeth lives in Vancouver with her husband, Oliver. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The Continuing Importance of an Arts Education in a STEM World | Juan Aguilar | TEDxSFU

Juan Aguilar believed his Arts education was of little use once out in the real work world, so he dropped out with one year

Juan Aguilar believed his Arts education was of little use once out in the real work world, so he dropped out with one year left. Ten years of experience showed him differently. Now Juan speaks to the importance of Arts degrees in developing those soft skills so needed in business, leadership, and future jobs. Juan was born in Chihuahua, Mexico before moving to Canada at the age of six. He is currently a graduate student at SFU Beedie School of Business. His experience in hospitality management during an eight-year gap in his undergraduate studies led him to a love of all things leadership. From this interest stems his talk on the continued importance of Arts degrees as enrolment rates continue to drop, especially regarding leadership development. Between school and work Juan enjoys reading, surfing, good wine, and bad action movies This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

A new form of progress: lessons from sewing – making & moving in reverse | Meagan Woods

When was the last time someone complimented you for progressing backwards? This talk reimagines

When was the last time someone complimented you for progressing backwards? This talk reimagines perspectives on progress by exploring how sewing moves in reverse to secure and sustain each stitch. Through a dynamic talk that utilizes footage of various sewing techniques, artist Meagan Woods considers how we might apply these productive backward methods to reinforce our personal, social and environmental efforts whose seams we do not want to fray. Meagan Woods is a choreographer, performer, writer, and costume designer who is passionate about collaborative, interdisciplinary work. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Simon Fraser University, a BFA in Dance from Rutgers University, and has guest lectured at both universities. Her research investigates movement theories across creative practices, including dance, film, and sewing. Meagan is currently a performer and collaborator with Re:Current Theatre and a librettist for the Breathing Bass ensemble. She also co-founded the modern dance festival Your Move, for which she was granted the Dance NJ Jete Award. You can learn more at her website, where you’ll find performance links from two TEDxJerseyCity conferences: meaganwoodsandcompany.com This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

How to get past disconnection to social change | Yabome Gilpin-Jackson | TEDxSFU

A storytelling talk that highlights how everyday uncomfortable, awkward and messy interactions get in the…

A storytelling talk that highlights how everyday uncomfortable, awkward and messy interactions get in the way of progress for social change. This talk is a call to action for EVERYONE to move beyond denial to the commitment of saying yes to the urgent social change issues of our times and how to use the transformative power of our own stories to sustain the journey to change when the going gets tough. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson,PhD, is a multi-award winning scholar-practitioner in human/organization development with research awards and professional recognitions in Canada, United States and United Kingdom. She is an executive leader, consultant and educator in Leadership/Organization Development and Systems Change across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. In addition to a groundbreaking book on Transformation After Trauma: The Power of Resonance, she has also authored peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, is author of Identities & Ancestries, short story collections about global African experiences and Lead Editor of the We Will Lead Africa book series. Yabome continues to research, write and speak on leadership & organization development issues, posttraumatic growth & on honouring diversity and social equality in our locally global world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The Rural Reality: A Conversation on Race in Rural Canada | Trystan Jones | TEDxSFU

A conversation on the harsh realities faced by people of colour in rural Canada and the disparities in multicultural policy……

A conversation on the harsh realities faced by people of colour in rural Canada and the disparities in multicultural policy. This talk weaves a tale of people of colour rural areas and discusses the prevalent issues that still need to be tackled in order for equality to becoming an attainable goal. Trystan’s passions have always come from storytelling. As a teenager, he co-founded a production company to provide opportunities in the arts for youth in his rural northern community. Having travelled the world in search of creating new stories for himself, he has worked vigorously to hone his craft as an artist and storyteller. More recently he has involved himself in climate and racial activism. In the wake of COVID-19 and the rise of Anti-Asian racism paired with the George Floyd protests, he spent much of his energy getting the conversation started on racial justice in his rural community of Fort St. John, BC. Real change only comes if there are those who are willing to have conversations on the uncomfortable topics. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Uncover the biology of mental health with brain stimulation technology | Raaj Chatterjee | TEDxSFU

One in five people will suffer from a mental illness or problem this year. This talk dives into emerging brain-changing

One in five people will suffer from a mental illness or problem this year. This talk dives into emerging brain-changing technologies to better treat, measure, predict, and diagnose mental health challenges by understanding the brain’s complex connections. Raaj is a researcher in neuro-engineering, a community leader, and social entrepreneur. A Simon Fraser University mechatronics grad, he is the recipient of the 2020 Gordon Shrum Award, and Schulich Leader scholarship. Passionate about building better interventions for youth mental health, Raaj is a Master’s candidate at SFU’s Centre for Engineering-Led Brain Research where he collaborates with researchers around the world to develop signal processing techniques to interpret brain signals after non-invasive brain stimulation treatments. He has played an active role in the community throughout his life from sustainability, to environmental activism, to interfaith action on poverty. Raaj currently sits on the board of The Starfish Canada as the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer, and is the co-founder and CEO of MeaningfulWork, a social venture building a community of change-makers for skills-based volunteering. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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