Past TEDx event

TEDxUniversity of Sydney

In Our Hands

Took placeMay 14, 20266:00 PM - 8:30 PM (GMT+10)
LocationSydney, New South Wales, Australia
FormatUniversity
We are living in a moment that will be defined by what we do or don't do with it. The challenges facing our generation are not small. Their magnitude can overwhelm us at times. They are systemic, urgent, and in many cases, genuinely unresolved. It’s sensible to feel discouraged when the scale of what we face makes individual action feel hopeless. But "In Our Hands" isn’t just about individual responsibility. You won't hear more messages here that ask you to single-handedly fix what took generations to break, but this isn't permission to look away either. In fact, we invite you to look closer at a hard and honest truth, that the future is not fixed. The worst outcomes and the best ones are both still possible, and that uncertainty is exactly what makes this moment matter. We didn't build the systems we inherited, but we are the ones holding them now. That's not a burden to carry alone; it's a threshold to cross together. Change at the scale we need doesn't come from one person doing the right thing. It comes from enough people refusing to accept that things cannot be different. These are stories of people who looked at what was in front of them and chose to act anyway, not because they were certain it would work, but because the alternative was worse. Stories that sit with complexity, friction, and failure alongside breakthrough and transformation. Our hope is that these stories invoke a call to stewardship, not guilt, not blind optimism, but the active and urgent belief that what happens next is genuinely, terrifyingly, and powerfully in our hands.

Speakers

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

  • Dr Rachel Menzies

    Dr Rachel Menzies is a Lecturer and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, where she completed her Honours, Masters and PhD degrees in psychology. Rachel’s research on death anxiety and its role in mental health has been awarded various prizes, including the Australian Psychological Society (APS) national PhD Prize and Early Career Research Award. Rachel has published six books on the topic of existential issues. In addition to her academic work, Rachel is a clinical psychologist and director of the Menzies Anxiety Centre, which she established to improve access to psychological treatment for death anxiety.

  • Noushin Nasiri

    Professor Noushin Nasiri is a materials scientist, engineer, and Head of the NanoTech Laboratory at Macquarie University. Her research focuses on nanotechnology, wearable sensing devices, and advanced sensor technologies aimed at improving healthcare, environmental monitoring, and disease detection. Through her work, she seeks to bridge cutting-edge science with real-world impact. Her contributions to science and innovation have been recognised through numerous awards, including the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship and recognition as one of Australia’s Superstars of STEM. Beyond research, Professor Nasiri is a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM and science communication. In her talk, Professor Nasiri explores the invisible forces shaping our health, environment, and future, challenging audiences to rethink responsibility, action, and what it means to respond wisely in a complex world.

  • Peter Le

    Peter Le is a medical student, entrepreneur, and content creator exploring the intersection between ambition, identity, discipline, and self-expression. Through his work online, Peter has built a platform around the realities of pursuing an unconventional life; balancing medicine, business, creativity, and personal growth while challenging young people to think bigger, move with intention, and become comfortable being seen before they feel ready. His message centres on courage, authenticity, and the belief that the most meaningful version of ourselves often exists on the other side of discomfort.

  • Sangwoo Lee

    Sangwoo Lee is currently completing a Master of Brain and Mind Sciences at the University of Sydney. Alongside his studies, he works in policy within the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and serves as the National Manager of the Anxiety Helpline. Over the course of his career, Sangwoo has worked extensively across the mental health sector in both community and acute care settings, as well as within the corrections and justice systems in both Australia and New Zealand. Drawing on these experiences, his work explores the intersection between mental health, justice, and human wellbeing. In his talk, Sangwoo reflects on his experiences working with individuals across the health and justice systems, sharing the insights and lessons that have shaped his personal and professional journey.

  • Sarah Goody

    Sarah Goody is a student, an internationally recognized social entrepreneur, climate activist, and founder of Climate NOW, a youth-led organization that has educated and empowered more than 10,000 young people around the world to take climate action. Beginning her activism at age 12 with a 60-week climate strike outside San Francisco City Hall, Sarah has since been featured by outlets including Teen Vogue, Forbes, CNN, and Good Morning America, and received the Princess Diana Award for her impact-driven work. Now a student at the University of California, Berkeley, Sarah speaks globally on youth empowerment, activism, and how young people can create meaningful change at any age.

  • Wenee Yap and Thomas Derricott

    Wenee Yap and Thomas Derricott are entrepreneurs, investors, and co-authors of the Amazon best-selling book Riding the Unicorn. Through their work in Australia’s startup ecosystem, they have helped founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling high-growth companies, while advocating for a stronger culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Australia. Drawing on their experiences working with startups and emerging businesses, Thomas and Wenee explore the untold story of Australia’s entrepreneurial potential. Their work challenges the belief that world-changing companies can only be built overseas, highlighting the unique opportunities available to founders in Australia. In their talk, they examine the mindset, culture, and barriers shaping entrepreneurship in Australia, encouraging audiences to rethink what is possible and how bold ideas can be brought to life in their own backyard.

Organizing team