“The Health of a Society” is the theme for the first TEDxUniversityatBuffalo, UB’s version of the worldwide TEDx program devoted to bringing people together to engage in the TED philosophy of promoting “ideas worth sharing.”

TEDxUniversityatBuffalo will take place from 12:30-6 p.m. April 6 in 110 Knox Hall, North Campus.

Eight UB faculty and staff members from a variety of disciplines will give 18-minute talks about the current state of the health of the nation, and what the future holds in these areas. Speakers are:

• Will Kinney, associate professor, Department of Physics. Kinney will discuss clean energy and its impact on health.
• Douglas Levere, photographer, University Communications. Levere will talk about his book, “New York Changing: Revisiting Berenice Abbott's New York,” published in 2004. Inspired by acclaimed photographer Berenice Abbott’s pictures of New York City during the 1930s, Levere photographed the same locations as Abbott more than six decades after the original photos were taken. When seen side by side, the photographs reveal much about the city and the nature of urban transformation.
• Amanda Nickerson, associate professor and director of the Dr. Jean Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence, Graduate School of Education. Nickerson’s talk will focus on enhancing the social-emotional health of children and adolescents. She also will talk about how schools and families can promote critical strengths and skills needed for success.
• Davina Porock, professor and associate dean for research and scholarship, School of Nursing. Porock directs UB’s Institute for Person-Centered Care, which meets the unique needs of persons with chronic illness, frailty and physical or cognitive impairments. She will discuss the effectiveness and importance of health and person-centered care.
• David Schmid, associate professor, Department of English. Schmid, who teaches courses on crime fiction, cultural studies and celebrity culture, will talk about what it means to create and maintain a healthy culture.
• Beth Tauke, associate professor of architecture and associate dean for academic affairs, School of Architecture and Planning. Tauke’s research focuses on inclusive design and its relationship to the senses.
• Thomas Ulbrich, executive director, Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Ulbrich’s talk will focus on the importance of instilling entrepreneurial thinking throughout the U.S. educational system and how building that kind of culture is key to tackling the health care crisis and other societal problems.
• Paul Zarembka, professor, Department of Economics. Zarembka will share his insights about the current U.S. economic situation and the kinds of policies, actions and systems that might help in promoting economic development.

Those interested in attending TEDxUniversityatBuffalo are asked to register. Organizers say they will pick 100 persons to attend the event from those registering. Attendees are asked to not only listen to the talks, but actively participate in the discussion.

For more information, email tedxuniversityatbuffalo@gmail.com.