TEDxUniversity of Greater Manchester

Speakers

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

• Adaora Uche

  GRC Lead at THG Ingenuity

  Adaora Uche is the GRC Lead at THG Ingenuity, a global e-commerce group, where she leads initiatives across AI and cybersecurity governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance. She holds a Master’s degree in Cloud and Network Security from the University of Bolton, (now University of Greater Manchester). She is an ISO 42001:2023 Certified AIMS Lead Implementer, ISO 27001:2022 Certified ISMS Lead Implementer and Internal Auditor, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional – Europe (CIPP/E). Her work sits at the intersection of technical security and regulatory expertise, positioning her as a credible and well-informed voice on the risks and governance challenges surrounding emerging technologies. Adaora is a respected contributor in the AI and cybersecurity space, actively engaging in discussions on evolving threats, responsible innovation, and effective risk mitigation.

• Adewale Adelodun Toyyib

  UK based civil engineer

  Toyyib Adewale Adelodun is a UK based civil engineer, and sought after resilience coach known for bridging technical expertise with powerful storytelling. With over a decade of hands on experience across construction from site labourer to project planning on major UK infrastructure projects. Beyond his technical career, Toyyib is a prominent voice in education and career empowerment, reaching over a million people across social media. He is passionate about helping immigrants and young people navigate pathways into apprenticeships and sustainable careers. Through speaking, mentoring, and community initiatives, he is building systems that connect talent to opportunity while advocating for practical, non-traditional routes to success.

• Anna Reddy

  Workplace Health & Wellbeing Specialist

  During 18 years in Pharmaceuticals, I translated complex science into meaningful, practical messages to help healthcare professionals across multiple disease areas improve patient care.This gave me a deep appreciation of the time and resource constraints within the NHS to educate, empower, and motivate individuals towards preventative health, alongside the opportunity for workplaces to take ownership of this. For years, I went against the grain by prioritising wellbeing as a catalyst for performance, long before the two were linked. Six years ago, I founded my own company, bringing my strength of turning complex health science into simple, actionable, positive workplace change. My READY Method has been applied with positive results across Life Sciences, the NHS, Finance, Law, and Education. Focused on rest, nutrition, movement, focus, and self-awareness, it turns science into Actionable sense, challenges the norm, and champions “Prevention in Health as a Catalyst for Workplace Wealth"

• Craig Hobbs

  Senior Lecturer

  Craig Hobbs is a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Public Health and Community at the University of Greater Manchester and an integrated academic - scholarly - practitioner, working across; higher education, sport, health, business, and community disciplines. He founded Active Campus Ecologies (ACE), practice-based research that reimagines universities and colleges as ‘living innovation ecosystems’ connecting “gown and town” through movement, health promotion, prevention, and participatory action. Craig integrates socio-ecological theories, experiential learning, and asset-based community development to position students and stakeholders as co-creators of active, strength and place-based solutions. His original work demonstrates how institutions can act as civic anchors - driving student and provider outcomes, health equity, and sustainable community impact, through associational life with movement.

• Dr. Iretioluwa Akerele

  Cybersecurity Leader

  Dr. Iretioluwa Akerele is a Cybersecurity Leader. With over a decade of experience in Cybersecurity, she has excelled in the field and also carved a path for others to follow. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Akerele's impact shines brightest in her role as a mentor and advocate for diversity in cybersecurity. As a career coach, she has been a guiding light for countless beginners, nurturing their talents and empowering them to realize their full potential in the field. Driven by her unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, Dr. Akerele co-founded CyBlack, a vibrant cybersecurity community dedicated to empowering Black professionals globally. Dr Akerele is also an advisory board member of Cybersafe Foundation, an organization focused on protecting the most vulnerable individuals and businesses from cyber-attacks. Dr. Akerele is a director at Cybarik Limited. She is passionate about supporting organizations to improve their security posture...

• Joey Weber

  Senior Lecturer

  Dr Joey Weber is Programme Lead for the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care at the University of Greater Manchester. With a professional background in community development and youth work, crisis intervention, and education across Levels 2 to 8, his work spans education, wellbeing, and applied research. Having spent part of his formative years in a Tibetan Buddhist community, he developed a longstanding interest in contemplative practice and now seeks to bring equanimity down from the mystical and onto the lap of the practical. He is the author of 'Why Mindfulness Is Not Enough: Unlocking Compassion with Equanimity' and is recognised for his work on leadership, emotional balance, and contemplative approaches to human flourishing.

• Ogugua Ajayi

  Nigerian award-winning writer, filmmaker, and media entrepreneur Founder of Love Legacy Media

  Ogugua Ajayi is a Nigerian writer, filmmaker, and media entrepreneur known for creating emotionally compelling African stories for print and digital platforms. Her work explores themes of relationships, personal transformation, and the complex emotional realities of modern life, with the aim of sparking meaningful conversations within African society. She is the founder of Love Legacy Media, an integrated media company established with a clear mission: to champion and elevate the romance genre through high-quality print and digital storytelling across multiple platforms. Ogugua’s latest novel, Love on the Dotted Line, has recently had its rights acquired by a leading Nigerian publishing house, Narrative Landscape Press Nigeria. As a filmmaker, she wrote and produced the movie. Just the Two of Us, a story that explores marriage, separation, forgiveness, and second chances. She also wrote and co-produced The Thought of You, which has garnered over one million views on YouTube...

• Prof. Patrick McGhee

  Assistant Vice Chancellor

  Professor Patrick McGhee is Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Greater Manchester, where he provides strategic oversight of quality assurance, research, and the student experience. A senior academic leader, he is closely involved in institutional quality enhancement and research-related priorities, supporting the University’s commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement. An experienced university leader, Professor McGhee is committed to academic excellence and to creating opportunities for achievement and empowerment through higher education. His work reflects a strong dedication to enhancing student outcomes, strengthening institutional standards, and supporting environments in which learners and colleagues can thrive. He brings a broad professional background spanning the NHS, universities, and the private sector. In addition to his leadership experience, he is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, TEDx speaker, and UK National Teaching Fellow...

• Professor Celestine Iwendi

  Professor of Artificial Intelligence

  Professor Celestine Iwendi is an IEEE Brand Ambassador, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and the Head of Centre of Intelligence of Things (CIoTh) at the University of Greater Manchester, Bolton. With a PhD in Electronics Engineering, he has over 25 years of technical expertise in AI, wireless sensor networks, ML, and IoT. As a Senior Member of IEEE and Chartered Engineer, Celestine has developed testing procedures, provided technical support, and ensured safety compliance for electronic systems. He has received prestigious recognition from the Royal Academy of Engineering under the Exceptional Talent Scheme for his contributions to AI and medical applications, and has been featured in Elsevier's World's Top 2% Influential Scientists list for five consecutive years. His research spans 13 of the 17 UN SDGs, with 92.6% of his work internationally co-authored, and 60.7% of his publications ranking among the top 25% most-cited globally.

• Professor Jerome Carson

  Professor of Psychology

  After distinguished over three decades of service in the NHS, where he held clinical and academic roles, in 2012, Professor Jerome Carson transitioned to academia as Professor of Psychology at the University of Greater Manchester (formerly the University of Bolton), where he continues to teach, research, and inspire students in the School of Education & Psychology. A prolific scholar, Professor Carson has published over 200 scientific papers and 15 books, making him the most productive researcher in the history of his university. His publications span peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes, many of which are considered landmark contributions to the fields of recovery and positive psychology. Professor Carson’s research has garnered significant recognition, with over 2,800 citations and an h-index of 26, reflecting both the breadth and impact of his scholarship. He is currently ranked second in the world for autoethnography and fifth for post-traumatic growth

• Professor Mohammed Abdel Haq

  Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director, Centre for Islamic Finance

  Professor Mohammed Abdel Haq serves as Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of the Centre for Islamic Finance, which he founded to advance research, education, and professional practice in the field of Islamic finance. The Centre reflects his long-standing commitment to bridging academic scholarship with industry innovation. Alongside his distinguished academic career, Professor Abdel Haq brings extensive practical experience in global Islamic finance. He is a founding member of a London merchant bank and has held several senior leadership roles in the financial sector. Most notably, he served as Managing Director and Global Head of HSBC Amanah Private Banking, where he played a key role in developing and expanding Islamic banking services internationally. He also served as Chairman of one of the UK’s leading compliance companies, contributing to governance and regulatory standards within the financial industry. Professor Abdel Haq is actively engaged in public and policy discourse.

• Professor Paul Hollins

  Professor of Cultural Research Development

  Professor Paul Hollins is an accomplished academic, director, cybernetician, and writer with extensive senior leadership experience at the board level across higher education, further education, arts and cultural organisations, museums, galleries, and the commercial sector. He has served in both executive and non-executive capacities, directing national research and innovation organisations, including Jisc, as well as large multidisciplinary academic departments, schools, and faculties. He has also led and served as Principal Investigator on several major research, innovation, and knowledge exchange projects. In addition to his current work, he is leading the large EU Horizon project GREAT and serves as Senior Adviser at the University of Bolton for Knowledge Exchange and Research Excellence.

• Sam Johnson

  Head of School of Arts and Creative Technologies

  As Head of the School of Arts and Acting Head of the School of Creative Technologies, Sam Johnson oversees a broad range of dynamic subject areas associated with the booming Creative Industries sector. She also works closely with the Off-Campus Division to support partnership development and collaboration with influential external organisations such as Shockout Arts and Backstage Academy and has enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in the validation and coordination of prestigious international collaborative projects which have helped to extend the global reach of the University. Having undertaken several roles within the University, including Principal Lecturer for Quality Enhancement and University Learning and Teaching Fellow, Sam is well-versed in the importance of full compliance with University policies and procedures which protect and enhance the value of our academic awards.

• Uchenna Victor Moses

  Digital Project Manager

  Uchenna Victor Moses is a Digital Project Manager working across technology infrastructure/cyber and digital transformation in the United Kingdom. He is the Lead Author of the Global Beginner’s Guide to Artificial Intelligence, focused on making AI practical and accessible for everyday people. His work is driven by a simple observation. Most conversations about artificial intelligence are designed for developers, not for the millions of people already using AI in their daily lives. Through community outreach and speaking engagements across different regions, including a technology campaign in Nigeria, Uchenna has engaged with diverse audiences from students to business owners, helping them understand AI in ways that are relevant to their realities. He believes AI literacy is not about technical depth but about inclusion, responsible use, and enabling AI as a global mobility engine for opportunity.