The people behind TEDxDelft | Rienske Gielesen | Building relationships

Rienske profile 2As the TEDxDelft platform grows with more events than ever before, finding and maintaining good relationships with its partners becomes even more important. As Partner Lead, Rienske Gielesen, owner of a communications consultancy, is charged with ensuring that the organisation finds and maintains these relationships.

“TEDxDelft has some great founding partners who have been responsible for the existence of this platform for over five years,” Gielesen explains. From the storytelling events to the salons and of course the main event, partners make a valuable contribution. Gielesen’s task is to find new partners and maintain the current partners, in order to secure funds and other in-kind benefits. In return she also shows how the partners can gain from TEDxDelft through exposure of their brand. It it this mutually beneficial relationship she is building with current and future partners.

It is the inspiring nature of TED and TEDx talks that convinced Gielesen to become a part of the TEDxDelft organisation. “My drive is to meet people outside of their ‘work-comfort zone’ and help them connect to it in another way,” she explains. The talks are a source of inspiration to her, which show how to make a difference. Leave it to Gielesen then to show TEDxDelft’s partners how their contribution will benefit everyone. “It is a privilege to be a part of this.”

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Since TEDxDelft Women, May 2015.

Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?

Marije Nie’s “One Million Steps,” a tap dancing adventure at TEDxDelft 2013. I loved her energy and the inspiring thought of being aware of the power of silence and use this to dance and create your next adventures. What she did in Gezi park, next to the Taksim square during the Arab Spring, amazing!

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or ficional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?

Salvador Dali. I would love to get a glimpse of what was going on in his mind. I guess a TED talk about “creating new reality” would suit him very well.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

My secret is that my work became my hobby. Besides that, I write and draw poems of the soul, for people who dare to meet their own essence. And of course spending family time with my husband and two lovely daughters.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

Last year, the engine cover opened up while driving on the highway, blocking my view. When I was standing safely on the side of the road, I heard this music on the radio, which I had selected for my funeral. This strange moment reminded me of the fact that life is not a dress rehearsal, there is only the here and now. My talk would be about that: Embrace your doubts, pains and awkward moments, they are just an illusion. If life hurts say “thank you” and after that continue laughing, shining, and dancing your life because that is the only thing that life really is about.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Thank you for coming!

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Salon Thin Ice

On Sunday 25 October the first TEDxDelft Salon of the new season was held in a packed theater. Close to 100 people visited the event to hear about climate change and three inspiring talks.

Many factors contribute to the planet’s ecological system. Evaporation can have a significant impact on the availability of food, which makes it that much more important for research to continue being conducted on this process. The application of glue to the construction of airplanes can benefit the environment substantially. Another common material, cardboard, also has the potential to be used in ways which could greatly reduce waste. By changing perceptions,new ideas arise, all of which could have a positive impact on the environment.

A big thank you to everyone who participated at the event. Hopefully the ideas which were presented will provide food for thought and inspiration.

On Thursday November 19 we will be organizing our next event, a brand new type of event: TEDxDelft Cinema. We hope to see you all there!

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Waterproof cardboard

Wout Kommer Salon

“Has anyone ever been to a festival, to a campsite, and noticed all the mess left behind after it has finished?” asks Wout Kommer, student at TU Delft and co-founder of KarTent. The solution to the waste left behind, he says, is cardboard.

“In the Netherlands one out of every four people leave their rubbish behind when they leave a festival,” Kommer explains. For the organizers this poses huge problems, having to clean up the waste being left behind. “Can we create a tent that is dry, reliable and recyclable?” The answer, he says, is cardboard.

Cardboard as a material meets all of these criteria. After several trials and tests, a cardboard tent which could withstand downpours was ready for use at festivals. Convincing the festival organizers and visitors proved a challenge, but slowly they are starting to come around.

Cardboard might seem like an unlikely material, but these tents show its potential, argues Kommer, and how materials in the broader sense can contribute to the environment. “Look beyond the common application of a material, look for a new meaning and a new way to apply it.”

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Holding aircraft together

Sofia Teixeira Salon

“Aircraft structures can almost resemble Swiss cheese,” says Sofia Teixeira de Freitas. Whilst this doesn’t bode well for safety in an aircraft, her solution is potentially more confronting.

Air traffic accounts for 15 percent of all CO2 emissions from all transit sources. Fuel burned by aircraft has a huge environmental impact, but how to decrease this? The best way, according to Teixeira de Freitas, is to make aircraft lighter and thus more sustainable.

Airplanes are made up of numerous small pieces, which are assembled using rivets. “What people do not realise when you are drilling a hole in the structure, or your bed frame, is that you are introducing a weak point.” We compensate these weak points by making a plane thicker, making the aircraft heavier, expending more fuel and thus energy. How to negate this? It is simple: with glue.

It may seem tough to get travelers comfortable with flying in an aircraft that is literally glued together, however Teixeira de Freitas believes the benefits will outweigh the doubts. “Don’t be afraid of changes – you might lose something good, but you will probably end up gaining something even better.”

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Sensing the invisible, measuring evaporation

 

Miriam Coenders Salon

“What do you do on a hot summer’s day?” Miriam Coenders, Assistant Professor at TU Delft, asks. “Measure evaporation, of course.” Evaporation, she argues, is a crucial part of the ecosystem about which a lot is still left to learn.

“Most evaporation does not take place where oceans are, but on land,” Coenders says. Evaporation is a difficult and complex process to investigate, yet it can have important consequences. Wet surfaces where crops grow lose water through evaporation, which can lead to loss of those crops.

It is important to learn as much as possible about evaporation. “Evaporation is our source of water, not the springs in the mountains,” she explains. By employing new techniques, new data is being accumulated about this vital process of the Earth’s ecological system. Data which will hopefully help protect people against floods one day, and ensure food security for everyone.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | Kauan von Novack | Giving voices

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Kauan profile” TEDxDelft is the epitome of giving people a voice,” says Kauan von Novack, TEDxDelft’s new Marketing Manager. The decision to join TEDxDelft was therefore an easy one for von Novack, a founding partner of a marketing and advertising agency. “Giving people voices is my passion.”

As the Marketing manager, von Novack is charged with all TEDxDelft communications, such as social media and blog. “My mission is to bring structure and data to TEDxDelft and enhance the experience of the attendants,” he explains. With every new season the organisation works to bring the experience to the next level. For von Novack one of the ways to achieve this will be by making better use of data analysis to improve communication to the public. Doing this is an important part in ensuring the annual goals will be achieved.

Given his background and motivation throughout his career, von Novack is the perfect fit to take charge of the marketing for this new season. With the annual goals firmly in his sights, it is certain he will make sure that the TEDxDelft voice will be heard loud and clear.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Since three months ago.

Who is your favourite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?

Boyan Slat and how the oceans can clean themselves. So inspiring, so visionary. One of the best, ever.

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?

Oscar Wilde would be a fabulous speaker. I think his aesthetic views, presence and boldness would still shock and amaze the world.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

I run 20 km three times a week and like to read at least one book per week.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

On how to be successful by being creative. I even wrote a book about that, and translating the business vision into creative lenses is one of my passions.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Wout Kommer

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Wout Kommer profileEach summer people flock to music festivals to hear their favorite artists, pitching their tents at nearby camping sites. Wout Kommer, co-founder of KarTent and student, noticed that visitors seemed not to care about their possessions as much once the festival was over. He thinks it is time for people to start caring, and has thought of a way.

Kommer was born and raised in the city of Delft. After graduating from high school he enrolled at TU Delft, where he chose to study Industrial Design Engineering. A true outdoorsman, he has climbed the Alps and organized both a rowing competition and a festival. In addition, together with two friends, Kommer co-founded a new startup aimed at improving the ecological sustainability of festivals. Starting this company has brought him new experiences and insights he is eager to share.

“We noticed that every year festival camping sites have to deal with huge amounts of waste, caused by people who leave their tents behind,” Kommer explains. People appear not to care so much for their possessions, and in addition leaves others the task of having to clean it up. Kommer hopes to change the way people think about their property, which in turn should help the environment. This was precisely the reason why Kommer decided to start up his company one year ago.

“It is important to show how I think better behaviour can be achieved in a fun way, by creating awareness without necessarily pointing out to people what they are doing wrong,” he says. It is an idea Kommer is eager to share on the TEDxDelft salon stage. By sharing his findings, he hopes that people will start rethinking what they own and how it affects the environment.

If you are curious to hear how to help make festivals more ecologically friendly, come join us at the upcoming TEDxDelft salon on Sunday 25 October at 15:00, at Theater de Veste.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Stories | Purpose and inspiration

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It is a cold and wet October evening in Delft, a typical autumn evening some might say. The clock strikes eight ‘o clock in the evening and a large crowd has gathered in the reception hall. They are excited, yet unsure of what to expect. Like a present still wrapped that you cannot wait to open.

The doors open and people move into the theatre. As people take to their seats they notice a red rug centre stage, surrounded by carpets adorned with neatly arranged pillows on top. A man steps forward, his black hair neatly combed to one one side, a red and brown checked shirt and black trousers. “My name is Sahand Sahebdivani,” he announces himself. “And I am a storyteller.”

He starts to talk, in hushed whispers and loud tones. About his father, his younger brother, about growing up and the importance of stories. “Storytelling is not like cinema,” he says. The audience falls silent as they hang onto every word and gesture. With a story there is action and reaction, he explains, as the audience gets pulled into his story even more. It is as much about the audience as it is about the storyteller. He talks of fellow storytellers, how he admires them for their inspiration, their way of storytelling. How his childhood inspires him to tell stories and how he tells stories about his childhood.

The present had surprised some, and others got exactly what they wanted. The evening’s events have been inspiring, for some personally, for others in a professional sense. “It is nice to hear in the social media age this way of conveying a message still holds value,” a member of the audience says.

To be continued.

 

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Stories | Expectations

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Storytelling is inspiration, is realisation, is engagement. Leading your listener to a world of sounds, colours and emotions.
Curiosity is a part of the process, to have people willing to listen to what you have to say, that’s why the atmosphere in the Rietveld Theatre was so interesting, as if everyone was standing on the edge of their seats.

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According to Bruno and Sjors, TU Delft students, the biggest expectations is to hear inspiring talks about life and they were looking forward to learn on how can someone engage people with their stories.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft salon | Sofia Teixeira de Freitas

Sofia Teixeira de Freitas“Would you prefer to to fly in an aircraft which was glued together, or in one that was bolted together?” Sofia Teixeira de Freitas, Assistant Professor at TU Delft, asks. She is convinced that adhesive bonding will make travel by air both cheaper and greener, and just as safe as planes made with nuts and bolts.

Teixeira studied at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal, where she received a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. She then attended TU Delft where she earned her PhD in the same field. It was during this period that she became interested in joining solutions, which she would continue to work on while focussing on the aircraft industry. Teixeira has since been awarded a young talent innovation award by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, as well as a Delft Technology Fellowship.

“Adhesive bonding has been used for several years instead of, or together with, rivets in conventional metal aircraft,” she explains. The same methods used for planes made from metal have been used for composite aircraft. Teixeira is convinced that improvements can be made to the construction process, with new ways for designing the joints to be used in conjunction with glue, without hampering performance. Which in turn will lead to benefits for everyone. “Glue can be the key for making air traffic cheaper and greener.”

It is an idea that Teixeira is eager to share at the upcoming salon. Though people might not have as much trust in glue as they do in riveting, Teixeira is convinced that the benefits of this construction method will help change people’s minds.

If you are interested in hearing more about why glue is better than rivets, come join us and listen to Teixeira’s talk during the next TEDxDelft salon at Theater de Veste on Sunday October 25 at 15:00.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Miriam Coenders

Miriam CoendersRainfall has always been an important part of the planet’s ecological system, by dropping fresh water and acting as natural irrigation for agriculture. Thus far not much attention, however, has been paid to evaporation. Miriam Coenders, Assistant Professor at the Hydrology group of TU Delft, is convinced we should.

Hydrology is a field that has interested Coenders ever since she finished high school. She enrolled at TU Delft, where she focused on hydrology and water management, writing her PhD on interception in the hydrological cycle. It was while working on her PhD that Coenders truly became interested in evaporation and what could be learned from it. “Realizing the importance of evaporation started during my PhD study, where I focused on one specific type of evaporation.” she explains.

“I also learned that knowledge on evaporation was very limited and that big steps could be made.” Evaporation accounts for the largest outgoing flow in the water balance. By using glass fibre optic cables to measure temperature profiles, Coenders found that far more data could be captured about evaporation than had previously been possible. Though not as extensively researched as precipitation, evaporation could be just as important for security of food and dry feet. Knowing its full impact is therefore an important part of understanding the possible effects on climate change.

For Coenders, this new-found knowledge and the way it is measured is worth sharing, and is what will be the focus of her talk during the upcoming salon. It is no surprise that her favorite talks are those related to earth sciences. Undoubtedly, Coenders will add another interesting talk to this particular field, one that will bring new insights into evaporation and its effects on the world we live in.

Coenders will be one of our speakers at the upcoming TEDxDelft salon entitled “Thin Ice.” If this topic sounds interesting, feel free to join us on Sunday October 25 at 15:00, at Theater de Veste.

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TEDxDelft 2015-2016 | TEDxDelft Salon | Thin Ice

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On Sunday October 25, from 15:00 until 17:00, TEDxDelft will host its first salon of the new season at Theater de Veste, entitled Thin Ice. The theme for this event will be Climate Change. The salon will focus on how changing perceptions can benefit the planet’s ecological system, more specifically through evaporation, construction of aeroplanes and festivals.

The speakers for this event will be Miram Coenders and Sofia Teixeira de Freitas, both Assistant Professors at TU Delft, and Wout Kommer, co-founder of KarTent. These special guests will share their insights into how knowledge on evaporation is important for food security, how aeroplanes can become more environmentally friendly, and how festivals have led to new insights about personal possessions.

The TEDxDelft salon will be held in English and is open to everyone, so come and join us, share in the knowledge and tell us about about your idea worth spreading!

Special guests:

Miriam Coenders

 

Miriam Coenders

 

 

 

 

Sofia Teixeira de Freitas

 

Sofia Teixeira de Freitas

 

 

 

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Wout Kommer

 

 

 

Special thanks to:

Logos_SalonPartner_StudiumGenerale

 

Studium Generale

TU Delft

 

Theater de Veste Logo

 

Theater de Veste

 

 

 

TIP logo

 Talbott International Presentations

 

 

 

LEX-LOGO LEX-Company

 

 

 

 

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SprekerSBootcamp

 

 

 

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The People of TEDxDelft | Rachel Richardson | Spreading the word

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Rachel profile“Engagement coordinator!” is Rachel Richardson’s enthusiastic response when asked about her current role for TEDxDelft. “I manage and oversee the communications content for the events.” It is a role that suits Richardson, who works as a creative strategist, very well.

“I have been watching TED talks for years now.” she says. After moving to Delft, she found out about a local TEDx event and decided to attend. Before she knew it she was asked to join as a volunteer, something she did not have to think long about. “I thought that was even better than just watching it.”

And so Richardson moved her way through the organisation, from volunteering to leading the social media and blogging team for the new season. Given her previous roles at TEDxDelft working on social media, as well as her passion for the event, one can count on her to push TEDxDelft communications to the next level.

How long have you been part of the TEDxDelft team?

I signed on in September of 2014. This will be my second event season to participate in.

You operated as the social media manager of the TEDxDelftWomen’s conference. Who was your favorite speaker?

That is tough, but, I would say Dr. Wioletta Ruszel because she was so passionate about math and how it is a part of all of our lives. I think math gets a bad rap and I like when it’s given positive attention.

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft who would it be and why?

I would love to hear Charlie Chaplin speak. I think he would give, not only an informative talk, but I imagine he would mix in a bit of his fumbling charm to make it visually entertaining as well. He was a great activist in his time, and he used his films to convey serious messages that were wrapped inside of a comedic package. I imagine his talk would be really inspiring.

 Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

I think I am pretty upfront about my hobbies, even at work. I love eating. Probably more than I should admit. I like trying new restaurants and cuisines. Come to think of it, I should probably get some hobbies that don’t include food. I love to travel too! Since moving to the Netherlands, I have had the chance to see a lot of wonderful new places that I had not seen before, and eat a lot of delicious food I had not tried before.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

First, I would have to overcome my stammering fear of speaking to a large group of people. Then I might give a talk on how to overcome your stammering fear of speaking to a large group of people. Or, maybe I would talk about the importance of loving yourself – I do always enjoy the feel-good talks.

A new season means new TEDxDelft events to attend and enjoy. On Thursday 15 October at 20:00 we will kick off the season with a completely new type of event: TEDxDelft stories. The theme for this event will be: Stories from childhood. If this sounds interesting, feel free to come join us. For more details on the event, click here to learn more.

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The people behind TEDxDelft | Ellen Rietveld | Coordinating beyond the stage

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Ellen profileSide activities can make a great addition to a TEDxDelft event. For the new season it falls to Ellen Rietveld, Floor Coordinator, to ensure they run smoothly. “I coordinate the side activities for all the events. I make sure the space and facilities are available, and that people know when they are expected.” It is a position which should suit Rietveld, a freelance business assistant, like a glove.

It is the sense of teamwork and working towards a common goal that convinced Rietveld to sign up for TEDxDelft. “When I started out working for myself I still wanted to feel part of a team,” she explains. “I was very happy to find out that I could volunteer for TEDxDelft, meeting many wonderful people and achieving something together.”

Combined with her experience from TEDxDelft events, Rietveld will be well placed to coordinate the side activities for this season’s events. Working with different people to arrange the side events, one can be sure that Rietveld will ensure a smooth running operation beyond the TEDxDelft stage.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

This will be my third edition, starting out as room monitor and person-that-moves-photos-from-memory-cards-to-the-blog-space via volunteer coordination, to now being part of the organizing team.

Who is your favorite speaker from a previous TEDxDelft conference and why?

Dorothy Grandia at this year’s first TEDxDelft Women, ‘Authenticity is a dangerous word’. Great energy, and hell yeah, so what if it doesn’t feel authentic to act confident? Get over it!

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

I nominate Daan Roosegaarde.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

Traveling and planning to travel are my favorite waste of time.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

If, and that’s a big if, I would ever find the nerve, it would be about language and words, Paulien-Cornelisse-style.

 

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The people behind TEDxDelft | Caryn ‘t Hart de Wijkerslooth | Finding the ideas

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Caryn profileThe speakers are what make TEDx a unique platform.  For TEDxDelft, Head Curator Caryn ’t Hart de Wijkerslooth, communications lecturer at TU Delft, is the one in charge of finding those with ideas worth spreading. “I am ultimately responsible for all of the creative decisions for TEDxDelft regarding theme, speakers, entertainment, and line-up,” she explains.

Selecting the right speakers is something ’t Hart is well placed to do. For her work she would often show TEDx movies during her lectures, and from then on she was hooked. “Not only did my students like it a lot, I also fell in love with it more and more.” After visiting a local TEDx event and speaking with Rob Speekenbrink, TEDxDelft licensee, about her ideas on the event, she soon became a member of the organization.

Finding the right speakers for this season’s main event and salons should therefore be no problem for ’t Hart. Together with two co-curators, she will ensure that the upcoming events will be a worthwhile experience for its visitors.

How long have you been a part of the TEDxDelft team?

Almost four years now.

You operated as curator at the TEDxDelft 2015 conference. Who was your favorite speaker?

They were all great in their own way! As a curator you can’t have a favorite.

Theoretically if you could choose any one person, historical or fictional, to give a talk at TEDxDelft, who would it be and why?

Lettie Hempstock from Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. She’s an eleven-year-old girl who’s been eleven for a really long time. Lettie can make an entire ocean of knowledge fit into a bucket of water.

Are there any hobbies you secretly enjoy outside of work?

I love taking pictures. I tend to see a lot of beauty in this world and I want to grasp that and share it.

If you could give a TEDx talk, what would you talk about?

Nah. I wouldn’t.

 

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