TEDx Society: Conference Director

I was deeply inspired by the various perspectives about climate action in this year’s UCL TEDx conference, and I would like to further contribute to amplify the impact of these ideas worth spreading. Through harnessing the power of story-telling and speeches, I believe we can empower more bright minds to solve the challenges of our times collectively. 

Previously, I had been one of the hosts of the Global Issue Forum at a United World College – a student community consisting of more than 90 nationalities, cultures and various socio-economic backgrounds. From the training in preparing and presenting case studies pertinent to the global issue to facilitating school-wide discussions every month, I am confident in my ability to organise this large-scale event.

I attended my first TEDx event as an audience in 2018 and felt really inspired by the atmosphere, connections and discussions that an event could spark. In 2019, I was the head of talent for TEDxUptownSchool. The specifications for this included: 

• Scheduling auditions and organizing audition space;
• Drafting selection criteria for both speakers and performers;
• Organizing dates and times for deadlines, rehearsals and meetings;
• Reviewing the drafts and presentations of speakers and performers;
• Selecting the TED talks to be played during the event;
• Providing feedback for the speakers and improving their tone and body language on stage;

I was then the lead organizer for TEDxYouth@UIS, which helped me gain a more holistic view of what it takes to oversee and put together a TEDx event. I was able to guide a team through an unprecedented time, which included having to shift from a staged and in-person TEDx event to a virtual one. The logistical changes and challenges pushed me to be a resilient and patient leader of the team. In TEDxUCL this academic year, I was a first-year representative, helping the team with issues from graphic design to logistics and photography.

As conference director for the upcoming TEDxUCL conference, I would be able to bring my experience and enthusiasm to the team, carry on the TEDx legacy, and invite great thoughts to the platform of TEDxUCL with the rest of the team. 

I believe that the UCL community certainly has 'ideas worth sharing', as the December 2021 and previous conferences have demonstrated. This legacy needs to continue. I am passionate about public speaking and have participated as a speaker and conference organiser as a member of Toastmasters International. I have had previous experience being part of a team that organised a TEDx conference (Croydon) where I offered support as a speaker coach. I plan to support the leadership team in delivering a top quality conference for the 2022/23. To achieve this, I plan to draw on my contacts in the public speaking domain to forge strategic partnerships.

Hi! I am Deveshi, a second-year Social Science student standing to be TEDx Society's Conference Director!

Having been the Director of People & Operations at TEDx Society in 2021, I highly resonate with the values the society stands for! In my previous role, I conducted the recruitment cycle for Director level committee positions and organized the large-scale TEDx UCL conference based on 'Climate Change' liaising with the Conference Directors. This prior experience adds to my strengths and will make me a successful Conference Director. 

As the Conference Director, I plan to:

• Organize a large-scale, one of its kind TEDx Conference in Term 1.
• Get a fantastic range of speakers for the conference and to make it one of the biggest among UK universities. 

VOTE FOR DEVESHI!