Students Lead the Way as TEDxTUDublin 2026 Explores the “Unfinished Future”
Tickets are now available for TEDxTUDublin 2026, an independently organised, TED-licensed event created and delivered by students at TU Dublin. Taking place on Friday, 17 April, from 4pm to 8pm in the Concert Hall in the East Quad at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus, the event will bring together an inspiring line-up of speakers to share short, powerful talks designed to spark ideas and conversation.
This year’s theme, “Unfinished Future,” invites speakers and audiences alike to reflect on how the choices we make today shape the world of tomorrow. Through a series of engaging talks across topics including wellbeing, technology, leadership, sport, and sustainability, the event will showcase diverse perspectives on the forces influencing our collective future.
TEDxTUDublin is more than a speaker series; it is also a powerful example of TU Dublin’s practice-based approach to learning. The event is entirely student-led, allowing students to apply the knowledge and skills developed in their courses to a real-world project. From event management and marketing to speaker engagement and production, the organising team gains invaluable hands-on experience while delivering a high-profile public event.
At TU Dublin, education goes beyond theory. Students are encouraged to apply their academic learning in practical settings, working collaboratively to solve real challenges and create meaningful experiences. Initiatives such as TEDxTUDublin demonstrate how students can bring classroom learning to life while building the professional skills that employers value.
The 2026 event features a curated lineup of speakers from across sport, academia, media, and industry:
- Fiona Parfrey, co-founder of Riley, speaking on women’s health
- James Doyle (Protein Bor), social media influencer with over 1.6 million followers, discussing the positive effects of sport on mental health
- Colin Judge, Paralympic table tennis player
- Dr Peter Wynn Kirby, environmental specialist and Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, speaking on sustainable energy
- Emmy Coffey Nguyen, founder of ProudPlanet and an independent EU speaker in Ireland
- Dr Lollie Mancey, AI ethicist and RTÉ TV and radio presenter, speaking about AI and human interaction
- Sophie Becker, Olympic 400m and relay athlete, European medallist, and genetics graduate who combines elite sport with scientific research
- Dr Eoghan O’Grady, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and Leadership at TU Dublin and lead coach of international student strategy competition teams
- Two surprise speakers, to be revealed on the evening
Together, these speakers will explore how innovation, leadership, wellbeing, and technology are shaping the unfinished future ahead.
Tickets for TEDxTUDublin 2026 are now available. Register here.