Toby Le speaks at the TEDxWinnipeg event in 2024 as a PhD candidate in medical microbiology at UM.

TEDxWinnipeg is a platform to elevate individual stories and contribute to a global dialogue on meaningful issues. Alumni, faculty, staff and students, this is your chance to bring your ideas to the global audience and inspire collaboration.

The 2025 event was a big success and included talks from UM researchers and alumni, and a musical performance by Victoria Sparks, a renowned percussionist in the Desautels Faculty of Music. 

UM is excited to host this event again at the beautiful Desautels Concert Hall, and TEDxWinnipeg provides exceptional speaker training to prepare you for this stage.

Anyone with an idea worth spreading is encouraged to apply. Applications close December 12.

Tickets are almost sold out, but don’t fret, if you don’t get tickets there is much to do on the fringe of the festival—and all free of charge.

Come check out the marketplace, interactive display booths, food trucks, and Billy the Bison having fun with the herd over the lunch break (which runs noon until 1:30 p.m.). Take part in this exciting community event.

More than just talks—an interactive experience 

TEDx Winnipeg at UM is about engagement and exploration. On May 29, the Desautels Concert Hall will be transformed into a hub of creativity and conversation: 

• Makers’ Market – Browse innovative booths and hands-on displays 
• Food Trucks – Grab a bite and network with fellow big thinkers 
• Interactive Exhibits – Experience disruptive research, creative projects, and immersive storytelling through booths set up in the Desautels lobby 

The power of ideas—live on stage 

Each year, TEDx Winnipeg curates a lineup of dynamic speakers who push boundaries, challenge perspectives, and share compelling ideas worth spreading. 

This year’s topics range from the power of burlesque to reimagining the designed world—with several speakers having deep UM connections, including researchers and alumni. 

Featured Speakers and performers

Victoria Sparks plays the marimba in the new Desautels Concert Hall.

Renowned percussionist Victoria Sparks will give a special performance. Sparks is an instructor in the Desautels Faculty of Music known for her work as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber performer. She regularly performs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and serves as Principal Timpani/Percussion with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra. In 2023, she launched the ReSound Series, a collaborative initiative to support new music in Winnipeg and she is a founding member of the Canadian Percussion Network.

Faculty of Education Professor Robert Mizzi, Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education, and former guest on What’s the Big Idea? podcast, will share insights from his groundbreaking work on deep inclusion and what it means for our world. 

Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management Professor Cheryl Glazebrook, an expert in movement and neurodiversity, will inspire you with her talk on how dance can connect us to ourselves and others in ways you may have never imagined. 

How can staff attend?  

We know TEDx Winnipeg is a daytime event, here’s some ways you can enjoy it: 

• Split a Ticket – Share a ticket with a colleague! One person attends the morning sessions, the other attends in the afternoon. Just coordinate and use the same ticket at the door. Be sure to book any time away through the appropriate channels. 
• Book Time Off – If you want the full-day experience, be sure to book any time away through the appropriate channels.  
• Drop in Over Lunch or Breaks – Not able to commit to a full day? No problem! The TEDx experience isn’t just about the talks. There are interactive exhibits, a makers’ market, and food trucks outside for lunch—so you can explore, connect, and get inspired whenever you have time. 

TEDxWinnipeg is renowned for the quality of its speakers, with well over a million views of the 2024 lineup. The 2025 speakers are equally dynamic, selected from nearly 200 applicants, and they include several University of Manitoba researchers and alumni.  

Exclusive Student Deal – Only 20 tickets available 

TEDx Winnipeg has set aside 20 ultra-discounted student tickets at just $25 each—but they’re first come, first served and won’t last long! 

• Get yours now: TEDxWinnipeg.ca/tickets 
  Use promo code: uofmstudent 

 
More than just talks—an interactive experience 

TEDx isn’t just about listening—it’s also about innovative, interactive and fun activities. 

On May 29, Desautels Concert Hall transforms into: 

• A makers’ market showcasing local creativity 

• A food truck hub serving up delicious eats 

• A hands-on interactive space packed with mind-expanding activities 

On May 29, the Desautels Concert Hall at UM will transform into a vibrant hub of innovation, inspiration, and bold conversation. The event brings together passionate speakers whose ideas challenge perspectives and spark positive change—an endeavor that resonates deeply with UM’s commitment to fostering knowledge, discovery, and progress.

A Shared Commitment to Bold Thinking

The University of Manitoba has long been a place where ideas are not only imagined but put into action. From pioneering research in fields like agriculture, medicine, climate change, and social justice to nurturing the next generation of thinkers and leaders, UM embodies what it means to turn big ideas into meaningful impact.

“The University of Manitoba is honoured to host TEDx Winnipeg,” says Michael Benarroch, President and Vice-Chancellor at UM. “To tackle today’s opportunities, we must embrace diverse ideas and challenge our perceptions. We’re excited to see UM researchers, alumni, and community members take the TEDx stage to share their bold ideas and inspire meaningful action.”

Bringing Ideas to Life

Robert Mizzi.

This year’s TEDx Winnipeg event will feature several speakers with strong ties to UM, sharing bold ideas on topics ranging from refugee education accreditation and ethical AI to dance, Two-Eyed Seeing, and rural pride festivals. Among them is  Robert Mizzi, Canada Research Chair in Queer, Community, and Diversity Education at UM.

Mizzi has dedicated his career to fostering inclusion and advocating for equity and social justice. His research explores how education can drive meaningful change, making him a natural fit for the TEDx stage.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this year’s event because through my research at UM, I want to bring big ideas around inclusion to the center of important conversations. TEDx is all about sparking meaningful discussions, and I’m honoured to contribute,” says Mizzi.

More than just talks—an interactive experience 

TEDx Winnipeg at UM is about engagement and exploration. On May 29, the Desautels Concert Hall will be transformed into a hub of creativity and conversation: 

• Makers’ Market – Browse innovative booths and hands-on displays 
• Food Trucks – Grab a bite and network with fellow big thinkers 
• Interactive Exhibits – Experience disruptive research, creative projects, and immersive storytelling through booths set up in the Desautels lobby 

Why You Should Attend

TEDx Winnipeg is more than an event—it’s an opportunity to engage with trailblazers, dreamers, and innovators. Attendees will:

• Hear transformative talks from changemakers, including members of the UM community.
• Connect with a dynamic audience of forward-thinkers.
• Leave with fresh ideas and motivation to make an impact in their own lives and communities.

“TEDx Winnipeg brings bold ideas to life, and UM is the perfect setting—a hub of research, innovation, and discovery,” says Kerry Stevenson, TEDx Winnipeg organizer. “We’re thrilled to partner with UM and bring our speakers to the Desautels Concert Hall, where they can engage with a dynamic audience.”

Be Part of the Conversation

Join us on May 29, 2025 at the Desautels Concert Hall and experience the power of big ideas coming to life. Tickets are available now—don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting event.

• Date: May 29, 2025
• Location: Desautels Concert Hall, 150 Dafoe Rd., University of Manitoba
• Tickets available online

Be there when bold thinking takes the stage.

During the event, booths will be set up in the beautiful foyer of the Desautels Concert Hall, where TEDx attendees can explore ideas, ask questions, and connect with presenters in between talks. TEDx Winnipeg is looking for people who can support dynamic, interactive booths that will inspire curiosity and dialogue. Whether you’re sharing cutting-edge research, creative projects, or thought-provoking initiatives, this is a unique opportunity to reach an engaged audience.

The preliminary schedule, subject to change, is:

• Morning (8:00 – 9:00 AM) – A chance to connect before the talks begin
• Lunch (2-hour window, exact time TBD) – A prime opportunity to engage a full crowd
• Additional opportunities if you’re available

If you’re interested in participating, please contact Jocelyne Nicolas at jocelyneanicolas@gmail.com. Deadline to do so is Mar. 31, 2025.

Let’s showcase UM’s spirit of discovery and innovation!