TEDxLeidenUniversity 2025: Ignite Change

Eric Daubricourt

We fear difficult conversations, we avoid them, but what if they were the true catalysts for change? As a professional mediator, I’ve seen it over and over: at the heart of most conflicts lies a conversation that never happened.

The key to transformation? Replace the desire to convince with the desire to understand. When we shift from certainty to curiosity, we don’t just resolve conflicts, we create the conditions for real change.

Because sometimes, the conversation we fear the most is the one that can change everything.

Neha Ratnakar

Who runs the world? Not just girls—ALL of us! But here’s the catch: unpaid labor, the motherhood penalty & dropping birth rates are holding us back. What if we valued caregiving like airline miles? Let’s rethink work, family & fairness—because humanity needs 100% of us!

Nienke Ijspeert

I’m was glad to share my TEDx talk on animal experimentation in science! I told you all about my contribution to a research project developing nanobody-based medicines—completely animal-free. The journey wasn’t easy, but I hope it inspires others to push for change, even when it feels overwhelming!

Jan Van Der Meer

What does it mean to say yes? It’s such a simple word, only three letters and universally understood. But how many times do we actually mean it when we say yes? What does it mean to say yes to everything in your path?

Gui Athia

Trust isn’t given, it’s built; and that matters because trust is a game changer in relationships, decisions, and important moments in life. You can’t rely on luck alone — the M.E.M.O. Framework helps you build trust with clarity and confidence: Map, Execute, Measure, Optimize. Simple, practical, and life-changing.

Maron Theunis

Talks about the abiding negative effects of growing up with emotional neglect. Furthermore, Maron discusses how leaving such a dysfunctional environment could mitigate these effects.

Tomás Esquivel

A gap year is a gap in your life, for a whole year. Now, a life year, is the same and the complete opposite. Still one year, but this time you listen to your inner voice, and finally allow yourself to follow your neglected passion. What would happen then? Well, I took a life year, and now I will tell you about this story of connection, struggle, and transformation. Listen, and you might take one too.

Dorota Moravčiková

AI is reshaping how we think, but cognitive outsourcing comes at a cost. In this talk, I explore the hidden risks of over-reliance on AI. Drawing from neuroscience, I show how we can engage with AI while respecting our brains. The key? Master the tool before it masters you.

Seif Alidani

What if your thoughts were the key to pain relief? Back, neck and other pains may feel purely physical, but fear and perception play a powerful role in keeping pain alive—or in making it disappear. Blending physiotherapy and psychology, this talk reveals how shifting your mindset can unlock healing and a better quality of life.