Noon Check-in, Networking, and Experiences
Hyperloop: Check out the high-speed travel pod LSU's Engineering Hyperloop Team recently built for the SpaceX competition. It just might be the technology that enables you to make a 20-minute commute from BR to the Big Easy!
Union Art Gallery: Experience two incredible exhibits: “Documenting Blues,” by artist and photographer Jenn Ocken, which captures the emotions of blues musicians and the connections with their audience; and "Persistence of Vision: Antarctica,” by Drs. Patricia Suchy and Vince LiCata and supported by the National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists and Writers Program, which brings together science and art to re-enact century-old photos and films of Antarctic exploration with the scientists working there today. Stop by to visit with these uber talented artists! Level Up: Come game with the developers from Louisiana Technology Park's video game accelerator, Level Up Labs. Developers include King Crow Studios, Procedural Reality (Limit Theory), Duck Block Games, and Starblade Games - Nefarious. [read more] VIVE: Visit with former TEDxLSU speaker Kenny Nguyen and immerse yourself in some of the latest virtual reality technologies being leveraged by Louisiana-based firm, ThreeSixtyEight. LIGO: The talented LIGO researchers who recently confirmed Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity are in your own backyard! Learn more about the technologies in Livingston, LA that enabled their discovery and interact with an interferometer. |
12:30p Theater doors open for seating
There are no bad seats in the theater and it is general admission. When you check in you'll be given a seat saver that allows you to mark your spot while you take your brain break.
Please refrain from bringing food or drinks into the theater. This is a live video-recorded production. Post, like, and share all you want throughout the show, but please do so without ringing phones or flash photography. |
1:00p Session A [sequence of speakers subject to change]

...But First, Coffee
Jay Ducote
Quick and Dirty: Chef, Speaker, Writer, Entertainer and Hugger
Longer Look: Jay’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Jay talks tacos, building confidence and the value of hard work
Connect: Jay’s Website & Twitter
Jay Ducote
Quick and Dirty: Chef, Speaker, Writer, Entertainer and Hugger
Longer Look: Jay’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Jay talks tacos, building confidence and the value of hard work
Connect: Jay’s Website & Twitter

How Economic Conditions Affect Racism and Xenophobia
Dr. Naci Mocan
Quick and Dirty: PhD in Economics & Professor at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business
Longer Look: Dr. Mocan’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Dr. Mocan talks assumptions about economics, the value of dreams and his favorite place to buy groceries
Connect: Dr. Mocan’s LinkedIn
Dr. Naci Mocan
Quick and Dirty: PhD in Economics & Professor at LSU’s E.J. Ourso College of Business
Longer Look: Dr. Mocan’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Dr. Mocan talks assumptions about economics, the value of dreams and his favorite place to buy groceries
Connect: Dr. Mocan’s LinkedIn

Stop Working Alone
Quiana Lynell
Quick and Dirty: Vocalist & LSU College of Music Graduate
Longer Look: Quiana’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: QuianaSpeaker Profiles talks running, jazz and the importance of taking care of yourself
Connect: Quiana’s Website & Facebook
Quiana Lynell
Quick and Dirty: Vocalist & LSU College of Music Graduate
Longer Look: Quiana’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: QuianaSpeaker Profiles talks running, jazz and the importance of taking care of yourself
Connect: Quiana’s Website & Facebook

Discover Your Wild Neighbors with the Power of Citizen Science and Social Media
Ahsennur Soysal
Quick and Dirty: Science Communication Enthusiast & Graduate Student at LSU’s College of Coast and Environment
Longer Look: Ahsennur’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Ahsennur talks foxes, LSU lakes, and where she plans to travel next
Connect: Ahsennur’s LinkedIn & Fox Finders of Baton Rouge
Ahsennur Soysal
Quick and Dirty: Science Communication Enthusiast & Graduate Student at LSU’s College of Coast and Environment
Longer Look: Ahsennur’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Ahsennur talks foxes, LSU lakes, and where she plans to travel next
Connect: Ahsennur’s LinkedIn & Fox Finders of Baton Rouge

Function...over form
Dr. Tiffany Stewart
Quick & Dirty: PhD in Clinical Psychology & Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Longer Look: Tiffany's Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Tiffany talks bodies, superpowers and trees
Connect: Tiffany’s Twitter & LinkedIn
Dr. Tiffany Stewart
Quick & Dirty: PhD in Clinical Psychology & Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Longer Look: Tiffany's Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Tiffany talks bodies, superpowers and trees
Connect: Tiffany’s Twitter & LinkedIn

Reflection: an Interactive Experiential Collaboration
Sandra Parks
Quick and Dirty: Collaborative Artist & Director of Women in Dance
Longer Look: Sandra’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Sandra talks cooking, choreography and her favorite career moment
Connect: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Sandra Parks
Quick and Dirty: Collaborative Artist & Director of Women in Dance
Longer Look: Sandra’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Sandra talks cooking, choreography and her favorite career moment
Connect: Sandra’s LinkedIn

Liberate Your Ideas
Chris Dykes
Quick and Dirty: Owner of Clear Blue Design & CEO of Freebird Interactive
Longer Look: Chris’ Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Chris talks dreams, family and the future
Connect: Chris’ Twitter & LinkedIn
Chris Dykes
Quick and Dirty: Owner of Clear Blue Design & CEO of Freebird Interactive
Longer Look: Chris’ Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Chris talks dreams, family and the future
Connect: Chris’ Twitter & LinkedIn
2:15p Brain Break, Networking, and Experiences
B&N Bookbar: LSU Barnes & Noble has all the TED Talk-inspired reads you could wish for, so stop by and pick one up!
Coffee Lounge: Refuel throughout the day, compliments of LSU Auxiliary Services. beCAPTURED: Commemorate your TEDxLSU experience with our friends from beCAPTURED! They’ll help you create a fun photo and share it on the spot. |
3:00p Session B [sequence of speakers subject to change]

Why Artists Love Change
Chancelier “Xero” Skidmore
Quick & Dirty: Executive Director of Forward Arts Inc. & International Slam Poetry Champion
Longer Look: Xero’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Xero talks poetry, communication and inspiration
Connect: Xero’s Twitter & LinkedIn
Chancelier “Xero” Skidmore
Quick & Dirty: Executive Director of Forward Arts Inc. & International Slam Poetry Champion
Longer Look: Xero’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Xero talks poetry, communication and inspiration
Connect: Xero’s Twitter & LinkedIn

Science and All That Jazz
Dr. Cynthia Peterson
Quick and Dirty: Biochemist & Dean of the LSU College of Science
Longer Look: Cynthia’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Cynthia talks proteins, jazz and the value of hands-on experience
Connect: Cynthia’s Twitter
Dr. Cynthia Peterson
Quick and Dirty: Biochemist & Dean of the LSU College of Science
Longer Look: Cynthia’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Cynthia talks proteins, jazz and the value of hands-on experience
Connect: Cynthia’s Twitter

Integrating 3D Technologies for Personalized Treatments in Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy
Dr. Wayne Newhauser
Quick and Dirty: Degrees in nuclear engineering & medical physics, Director of the medical physics program at LSU
Longer Look: Wayne’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Wayne talks the future of science and hobbies he wishes he had
Connect: Wayne’s LinkedIn
Dr. Wayne Newhauser
Quick and Dirty: Degrees in nuclear engineering & medical physics, Director of the medical physics program at LSU
Longer Look: Wayne’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Wayne talks the future of science and hobbies he wishes he had
Connect: Wayne’s LinkedIn

Can We Just Be Stupid for Once and Be Excellent at Something…
Howard Hall
Quick and Dirty: Comedian & Louisiana Native
Longer Look: Howard’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Howard talks down time, Baton Rouge and what makes for good comedy
Connect: Howard’s Website & Facebook
Howard Hall
Quick and Dirty: Comedian & Louisiana Native
Longer Look: Howard’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Howard talks down time, Baton Rouge and what makes for good comedy
Connect: Howard’s Website & Facebook

Measuring Small Numbers
Dr. Gaby González
Quick and Dirty: Professor in LSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy & scientific leader at Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory Scientific Collaboration (LIGO)
Longer Look: Gaby’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Gaby talks physics, collaboration and cars
Connect: Gaby’s LinkedIn
Dr. Gaby González
Quick and Dirty: Professor in LSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy & scientific leader at Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory Scientific Collaboration (LIGO)
Longer Look: Gaby’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Gaby talks physics, collaboration and cars
Connect: Gaby’s LinkedIn

How Vultures Innovate Forensic Science
Dr. Lauren Pharr
Quick and Dirty: PhD Geography and Anthropology & Forensic Scientist at Pharr Forensic Consulting
Longer Look: Lauren’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Lauren talks science, alternative careers and her fantasy lunch buddy
Connect: Lauren’s LinkedIn
Dr. Lauren Pharr
Quick and Dirty: PhD Geography and Anthropology & Forensic Scientist at Pharr Forensic Consulting
Longer Look: Lauren’s Bio
Conversation Catalyst: Lauren talks science, alternative careers and her fantasy lunch buddy
Connect: Lauren’s LinkedIn
4:30 Block Party
Move your hips: It’s French swing like only BR can do! Gypsy jazz brought to you by Hot Club of Baton Rouge.
BREW Gadgets: Tinker, fly drones, and try your hand at Jenga while chatting it up with the BREW Crew! TEDx Talk Art Walk: Remember those artists you saw working inside the theater? Take a stroll down Free Speech Alley to see if what you heard came to fruition in their vision. Brain Food & Beverages: Grab some tasty jambalaya compliments of our friends at Walk Ons, and if you're in need of a libation, they've got that too (assuming you're 21+, of course). |
Behind the Scenes...
Mentors and volunteers power TEDxLSU 2017. More than 50 student volunteers from dozens of majors, several community mentors from different fields, and three organizers have collaborated for several months. They've applied their diverse skills to passionate idea sharing, and hours of screen- and face-time to fuse the experience you have today.
The 2017 TEDx stage concept, design, and show visuals were directed by Wes Kennison of Launch Media in collaboration with Martin Debord, Ryan Golden and the TEDxLSU design team. Launch Media Directors Wes and Ryan put their heads together to conceptualize and produce a chain reaction-themed storyline to kick off the 2017 show. Martin spearheaded physical set design with TEDxLSU team members and engineered the show execution you see for TEDxLSU 2017.
What’s happening up in that house-right parterre? As you watch the Talks, 7 artists will be creating original art pieces--in real time--as they hear each speaker. Artists from Baton Rouge Community College, LSU and the community work collaboratively with oil pastels on colored paper to illustrate the chain reactions occurring as they listen during our sessions, and you will be able to see their work during the TEDx Talk Art Walk.
Cameras throughout the theater are operated by DigitalFX, a full-service, independent production studio located right here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They've won Addys, Emmys, Tellys, and Film Festivals. They do TV commercials, Hollywood films, and everything in between. They are undoubtedly talented, but more importantly, they are the coolest, gadget-loving dudes we've ever met! The DigitalFX team captures and produces all the TEDxLSU Talks which are ultimately shared with the world via the TEDx YouTube channel.
Invisible artists backstage worked to bring "Reflection" to life. Choreographer Sandra Parks, digital performer Jesse Allison and digital artist Derick Ostrenko worked with numerous coders, artists, designers and dreamers to develop a digital dance experience. These collaborators adapted existing gaming software and built new interactive programming to create a performance where the human form manipulates aural and visual digitization. In "Reflection" Sandra, the physical performer, engages digital tracking to control the sounds and movements that appear alongside her. Behind the scenes Jesse, Derick and digital artist Hye Y Nam manipulate software to be its own actor in the space. Any type of artist has a medium through which they create art. For this team, the INTERACTION between humanity and technology is Art. The process and the product share meaning.
The tradition of Free Speech Plaza began in October 1964 and was originally located in the Memorial Oak Grove behind the LSU Student Union. At first, it was limited to only students, but off campus speakers with no LSU affiliation were later allowed to participate. Topics of included the Vietnam War, less restrictive rules for dormitory residents, civil rights, politics, and changes to LSU parking and football ticket policies. By the 1970s, the Plaza moved to its current location situated between the front of the Union and the LSU Parade Grounds. Today, Free Speech Circle is the largest part of the plaza and when you stand in the very center, it’s calculated design causes sound to create an echo only audible to the center-standing speaker. Try it out for yourself!
The 2017 TEDx stage concept, design, and show visuals were directed by Wes Kennison of Launch Media in collaboration with Martin Debord, Ryan Golden and the TEDxLSU design team. Launch Media Directors Wes and Ryan put their heads together to conceptualize and produce a chain reaction-themed storyline to kick off the 2017 show. Martin spearheaded physical set design with TEDxLSU team members and engineered the show execution you see for TEDxLSU 2017.
What’s happening up in that house-right parterre? As you watch the Talks, 7 artists will be creating original art pieces--in real time--as they hear each speaker. Artists from Baton Rouge Community College, LSU and the community work collaboratively with oil pastels on colored paper to illustrate the chain reactions occurring as they listen during our sessions, and you will be able to see their work during the TEDx Talk Art Walk.
Cameras throughout the theater are operated by DigitalFX, a full-service, independent production studio located right here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They've won Addys, Emmys, Tellys, and Film Festivals. They do TV commercials, Hollywood films, and everything in between. They are undoubtedly talented, but more importantly, they are the coolest, gadget-loving dudes we've ever met! The DigitalFX team captures and produces all the TEDxLSU Talks which are ultimately shared with the world via the TEDx YouTube channel.
Invisible artists backstage worked to bring "Reflection" to life. Choreographer Sandra Parks, digital performer Jesse Allison and digital artist Derick Ostrenko worked with numerous coders, artists, designers and dreamers to develop a digital dance experience. These collaborators adapted existing gaming software and built new interactive programming to create a performance where the human form manipulates aural and visual digitization. In "Reflection" Sandra, the physical performer, engages digital tracking to control the sounds and movements that appear alongside her. Behind the scenes Jesse, Derick and digital artist Hye Y Nam manipulate software to be its own actor in the space. Any type of artist has a medium through which they create art. For this team, the INTERACTION between humanity and technology is Art. The process and the product share meaning.
The tradition of Free Speech Plaza began in October 1964 and was originally located in the Memorial Oak Grove behind the LSU Student Union. At first, it was limited to only students, but off campus speakers with no LSU affiliation were later allowed to participate. Topics of included the Vietnam War, less restrictive rules for dormitory residents, civil rights, politics, and changes to LSU parking and football ticket policies. By the 1970s, the Plaza moved to its current location situated between the front of the Union and the LSU Parade Grounds. Today, Free Speech Circle is the largest part of the plaza and when you stand in the very center, it’s calculated design causes sound to create an echo only audible to the center-standing speaker. Try it out for yourself!
Our Partners & Teammates Make it Possible
You can have “ideas worth spreading,” but it takes brilliant partnerships to ensure these ideas are shared and a true TED-like experience is created. TEDxLSU partners are supporters of thought, communication, conversation, community, and innovation. They value engaging in an authentic dialogue with a rare cross-section of passionate, open-minded people. They are committed to a greater Louisiana and champion positive growth for all Louisianans. They are the ones who made today possible, so cheers to all of our TEDx 2017 innovators, thinkers, and community connectors!
Special thanks for Rosie Craft, Courtney Ospina, Jacob Sullivan, Neil Werries, Rachel Henry, Martin Debord, Noah Conquorgood, Mendi Robinson, Sean Richardson, Ginger Guttner, Mary Ellen Slater, Jeremy Harper, Isabel Rountree, Audrey Grismore, Morgan Kastner, Chelsea LeBlanc, Lily LaGrange, Ian Andrepont, Simone Dreher, Delaney McGuinness, Boz Bowles & Erik Scharff
Special thanks for Rosie Craft, Courtney Ospina, Jacob Sullivan, Neil Werries, Rachel Henry, Martin Debord, Noah Conquorgood, Mendi Robinson, Sean Richardson, Ginger Guttner, Mary Ellen Slater, Jeremy Harper, Isabel Rountree, Audrey Grismore, Morgan Kastner, Chelsea LeBlanc, Lily LaGrange, Ian Andrepont, Simone Dreher, Delaney McGuinness, Boz Bowles & Erik Scharff
TEDxLSU creates a community platform for passionate speakers willing to share their "ideas worth spreading." In the spirit of TEDx, speakers are not compensated for their Talks.