TEDxAUBG

Speakers

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

• Angela Rodel

  Angela Rodel is the executive director of the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission. She graduated from Yale University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics. Her experience performing in the Yale Slavic Chorus sparked a lifelong interest in Bulgarian music, language, and culture. the She is a two-time Fulbright Scholar, who first came to Bulgaria in 1996 as a US Student Researcher to study linguistics and folk music at Sofia University. Her studies gave her a solid grasp of Bulgarian language and culture. Since moving permanently to Bulgaria in 2005, Angela has become a leading literary translator from Bulgarian to English. Her translation of Georgi Gospodinov’s “Time Shelter” won the 2023 Booker International Prize. In 2014, she was awarded Bulgarian citizenship in recognition of her contribution to popularizing Bulgarian literature and culture abroad.

• Chudomir Dragnev

  Chudomir Dragnev is a cultural operator and curator with over 10 years of experience. He is the creator of Culture Lab: The Castle of Freedom, a 6,000+ sq.m. collaborative space housing artist studios, rehearsal rooms, a gallery, a music stage, an indoor skatepark, and other creative facilities. His work has been recognized internationally, with mentions in The New York Times. Chudomir’s mission is to create environments where artists from different disciplines can produce work that highlights Bulgaria on the global stage. At the center of his work is the belief that communication and collaboration are essential for artistic growth and meaningful cultural change.

• Daniel Adsett

  Daniel Adsett is a philosopher and academic specializing in applied ethics, with a focus on business and environmental ethics. He earned his PhD in Philosophy from Marquette University in 2020 and began teaching at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) in the fall of 2021. Originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, his academic work explores complex questions at the intersection of ethics, rationality, and human belief systems. He is the author of Karl Jaspers’ Theory of Irrationality: From Delusions to Worldviews (2025), and his research has been published in leading academic journals, including Philosophia, The Heythrop Journal, and International Philosophical Quarterly. Through his teaching and writing, Daniel Adsett engages students and readers in critical discussions about ethical decision-making in contemporary society.

• Deya Shopova

  Deya Shopova is a clinical psychologist and sexologist fascinated by how language, technology, and care shape mental health. She has worked across clinical, hospital, and private settings, helping individuals and families navigate anxiety, relationships, intimacy, and identity. With a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and postgrad specializations in sexology, Deya has bridged clinical practice and healthcare innovation. She was the first professional to introduce virtual reality into psychological care in Bulgaria, using immersive tools to deepen therapeutic connection—not replace it. Deya believes psychotherapy should be accessible, stigma‑free, and practical. Her work translates complex ideas into everyday skills that help people choose differently, relate more fully, and live with more ease.

• Ivan Blažević

  Ivan Blažević is a social innovator whose work centers on the idea of radical solidarity. He currently leads the Engaged Democracy Initiative at the European Fund for the Balkans, where he focuses on turning passive citizens into active participants in shaping their communities. With more than 15 years of experience, Ivan has worked across philanthropy, civil society, and institutional spaces - from founding community foundations to advising private foundations and major corporations. His work bridges the gap between grassroots movements and institutional power, showing how local engagement and strategic philanthropy can help protect human rights in an increasingly complex political landscape. Ivan’s contributions have been widely recognized, including receiving the European Parliament’s European Citizen Award, along with four other distinctions for his work in civic engagement and social innovation.

• Maria Hristova

  Maria Hristova is a senior student at AUBG. She is graduating in Business Administration, Journalism and Mass Communication. Maria shares a passion for education, which has led her to take associate strategic positions in “Teach for Bulgaria.” Maria is active on campus, too, having been in the roles of a student advisor, tutor, and campus correspondent. Her hobbies include playing the piano, storytelling, and hiking, in which she has more than 10 years of experience, including a 1,251 km hike in Japan. Maria is active in event organizing - she has organized a Japanese festival at the American College of Sofia and the screening of “Milen: A Documentary” across university campuses in Bulgaria.

• Polina Nedkova

  Polina Nedkova is a Bulgarian actress, media professional, and digital creator with a strong background in both performing arts and television production. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Acting for Drama Theatre from NATFA and a Master’s degree in Production of TV Formats from the University of Insurance and Finance. She spent four consecutive seasons performing at Drama Theater Varna, taking on roles in renowned productions such as 'Othello' by William Shakespeare and 'The Seagull' by Anton Chekhov, alongside appearances in various TV shows and films. In 2019, she launched her YouTube channel, where she explores cultural, artistic, and social trends, quickly building a dedicated audience. Her influence was recognized in 2020 when she was named in Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” That same year, she became a co-host of a national television talk show, focusing on cinema and digital culture, and conducting interviews with international artists. Through her growing online community, Polina shares insights on books, film, pop culture, and art. Her recent project, 'The Snob Girl Club', is a series of video essays delving deeper into contemporary cultural trends. Outside of her professional work, her interests revolve around her passion for art—reading, writing, watching films, and video production—balanced with a strong dedication to fitness.

• Revaz Topuria

  Revaz Topuria is a lecturer and researcher working at the intersection of politics, security, and society. He teaches at the University of Georgia and the Free University of Tbilisi. He has also served as Executive Director of the Security, Policy, and Nationalism Research Center at the University of Georgia, where his work focused on democratic resilience and political behavior. Revaz holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Free University of Tbilisi and Lanzhou University in China, as well as a joint master’s degree in Intelligence, Security, and Strategic Studies from the University of Glasgow, Dublin City University, and Charles University. His professional experience spans the public sector, international organizations, and civil society, including work with the Ministry of Economy of Georgia, UNDP Georgia, UNICEF, and UNCTAD. In recognition of his contributions to education and research, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Science and Education.