Top speakers as three worlds unite

OLDHAM is hosting the borough’s second TEDxOldham conference with a line-up of acclaimed speakers from the worlds of science and entertainment.

TED is a non-profit, internationally known brand that started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from technology, entertainment and design. Since then its scope has become ever-broader. The x stands for an independently organised TED event.

Oldham’s event will take place on February 27 in the Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre from 10.30am until 4pm.

It will feature video and live speakers including a leading British space scientist; an associate director of Jodrell Bank centre for astrophysics; a video games journalist; a folk singer-songwriter and a charity fashion worker.

Also lined up is Andy Powell, the man behind the Hack Oldham Maker Space in the town centre.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: “TED is a brand recognised around the world and we are pleased that it is returning to the borough for the second time in three years.

Tickets are £5.50 at www.eventbrite.com/e/tedxoldham-2016-tickets-21031446623

The guest speakers are...

Professor Monica Grady CBE, a leading British space scientist, primarily known for her work on meteorites. She is currently professor of planetary and space science at the Open University. She is also a regular contributor on the BBC and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs


Professor Tim O’Brien, a professor of astrophysics in the School of Physics & Astronomy at The University of Manchester. He also works as associate director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics. Tim’s research concentrates on the study of exploding stars using telescopes around the world and in space, working across the spectrum from radio waves to X-rays.


Johnny Chiodini, a video games journalist and senior video producer for Eurogamer.net. He has been working in the games industry for the past seven years, during which time his work has earned several award nominations. More recently, he has turned his attention to covering mental health issues with specific reference to video games and their consumers. It is his hope to challenge some of the stigma surrounding mental health and help facilitate more open discussion.


Rebecca Rae, is strategy and insight lead at digital agency Reason Digital. Specialising in creative digital strategy that gets tangible results in the charity, fundraising and non-profit sector. Rebecca is also campaigns officer and on the NEC for Pirate Party UK. Named in the “Top 30 women under 30 in digital” in The Drum (when she was under 30) she has worked in the creative and digital sector for over nine years working with PZ Cussons, Virgin, and O2 and with non-profit organisations including Age UK, Virgin Unite, Trussell Trust, Bentley CSR.


Dr Natalie Butcher, a senior lecturer in psychology at Teesside University. Her primary research involves investigating factors that influence our ability to recognise the faces of others, particularly the importance of facial motion information and race of the face. Natalie obtained both her PhD (2009) and her BSc (hons) psychology (2006) from the University of Manchester, she is a committee member of the British Psychological Society’s cognitive psychology section and has both national and international research collaborators.


Nancy Elizabeth, a folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, who releases music with The Leaf Label.


Andy Powell, a web developer the founder of Hack Oldham and is the owner of www.caffeinatedprojects.com/ which has been building websites since internet was dial up


Jacqueline Hall, an Oxfam Fashion worker.