TEDxROC Nijmegen

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Barend Last

  Barend Last is a Dutch educator, author, and speaker who translates science and innovation into compelling stories. He began his career as an elementary school teacher and later moved into educational design, consulting, and speaking on topics such as AI, blended learning, self-regulated learning, and technology in education. He still teaches one day per week. He is author of books for both children and professionals (including on AI, instructional design and blended learning) and leads his own educational bureau, Buro Mindshift.

• Carolien Kattenbelt

  Carolien is associate lector Balanced Energy Systems at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. She and her group work on flexible energy solutions. Part of their work focusses specifically on the application of AI in e.g. Energy Management Systems.

• Dennis Berkhof

  Co-founder of Bit Academy & NexEd, serial founder with multiple successful exits, focused on reinventing how the next generation learns tech skills.

• Erwin Folmer

  Lector Applied Data Science & AI

• Guus Witjes

  AI Lead | Maak AI praktisch & leuk | Van AI-drempelvrees naar dagelijkse toepassing

• James Bullard

  James Bullard is a dynamic storyteller, performer, and creator inspiring through his writing, public speaking, and the transformative podcast Radical Joy. Leveraging right-brain thinking and creative problem-solving, he empowers individuals and organizations to reach new heights, exceed goals, set new ones. With a magnetic stage presence, James blends humor, vulnerability, and actionable insights to spark change. A published author, his work resonates with readers seeking clarity, while Radical Joy amplifies voices that ignite curiosity and hope. A champion of bold living, James uses storytelling to cultivate joy and guide others toward their most authentic selves.

• Jonathan IJzerman

  Jonathan IJzerman is an AI vanguard, speaker, synthographer, and software developer. He is the founder of RobotCandy, where he develops agentic AI systems and advises organizations on the future of work and artificial intelligence. As one of the first synthographers in the Netherlands, he pioneers AI-driven creativity while also working at the frontier of business automation and education. Through workshops and talks, he shares insights on how agentic AI is reshaping the relationship between humans and machines.

• Martijn Hendriks

  Martijn Hendriks is a former attorney with professional experience in both the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean. He currently serves as a lecturer in data science, law, and ethics at HAN University of Applied Sciences. In addition, he brings extensive experience in managing change within IT projects.

• Michiel van Teeffelen

  Michiel van Teeffelen is adviseur maatschappelijke vraagstukken bij Spectrum, partner van de Leefbaarheidsalliantie Gelderland. Hij begeleidt maatschappelijke initiatieven en jongeren bij het ontwikkelen van activiteiten en projecten die bijdragen aan leefbaarheid en verbinding. Vanuit een sterke drive voor jongerenparticipatie en samenwerking zoekt hij steeds naar nieuwe manieren om mensen en ideeën verder te brengen. De afgelopen jaren verdiepte hij zich in kunstmatige intelligentie en experimenteert hij met ChatGPT en custom GPT’s om maatschappelijke initiatieven praktisch te ondersteunen. Zijn missie: AI toegankelijk maken, zodat het juist de kracht van lokale initiatiefnemers vergroot en hen helpt meer tijd over te houden voor wat er echt toe doet.

• Parisa Mehran

  A learning futurist, educational technologist, and applied linguist, I am an interdisciplinary and equity-minded educator-researcher with a PhD in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) from Osaka University, Japan. I specialize in the intersection of technology, education, and language. Currently a lecturer in Business Communication and AI Advisor at the International School of Business, HAN University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands, I lead initiatives focused on critical AI literacy, the ethical and responsible integration of emerging technologies in education, and the design of meaningful approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment in the age of AI.

• Peter Koopmans

  Peter Koopmans is an MRI physicist who develops techniques for higher quality and faster imaging, ultimately aiming to improve the quality, efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare.

• Peter Merry

  Dr. Peter Merry is co-founder of Wyrd Experience, developing leading-edge consciousness technology and research. He is also co-founding Chief Innovation Officer of Ubiquity University, and co-founder of the Global Accreditation Council. He is one of the world’s top experts on transformative leadership, working in and across different sectors, training government ministers, CEOs and civil society leaders. His experience includes developing and delivering a transformative leadership program for top level stakeholders in the health sector in the Global South, facilitating integral change processes in multinational corporations and government ministries, and running multistakeholder initiatives with global stakeholders. He has also spent many years in the not-for-profit sector. He is a recognised expert in the field of futureproof learning, science and consciousness, and integral leadership. He had his first book published in English and Dutch (Evolutionary Leadership, 2005) a second one in 2019 called Why Work? on designing work for people and planet, a third one in November 2020 called Leading from the Field and a fourth called Volution in 2023. He has an MSc in Human Ecology from Edinburgh University and a PhD from Ubiquity’s Wisdom School on volution theory. For more information, see https://petermerry.org, and LinkedIn.

• Robin van Breukelen

  Robin van Breukelen is the founder of RepliKate, where he explores how AI agents can transform the way we work, learn, and collaborate. With a background at the intersection of technology and human-centered design, he is dedicated to making advanced AI systems accessible and practical for organizations. At TEDx, Robin shares his vision of how AI agents are reshaping not just workflows but the very relationship between humans and intelligent systems, challenging audiences to think critically about agency, ethics, and the future of collaboration.

• Tom Janssen-Groesbeek

  Tom Janssen-Groesbeek is pursuing a PhD in Large Language Model (LLM) security alongside his role as a Scientific Programmer at Radboud University’s Digital Security department. His research explores the security risks and defenses of AI systems, while his programming work bridges the gap between research and practice, supporting both scientific projects and teaching.