TEDx was back on De Montfort University (DMU) campus last month with a special conference aimed at rethinking the future of work and creativity. This year’s theme titled “Beyond the 9 to 5” explored the future of human potential inside and outside the workplace and asks what do work and creativity look like in a world shaped by automation, AI, and flexible careers?

The event was organised by DMU Made, which forms part of DMU’s Careers Team and involved of a series of talks based around the theme, which are filmed and shared for international audiences via the TEDx YouTube channel.  The latest DMU TEDx event brought together speakers from across education, healthcare, business, law, architecture and the arts, highlighting the rapidly changing world and how we must rethink how we learn, work, create and connect. 

Simon Baines, Enterprise Project Manager at DMU Made said: “It was an honour to curate and host this careers-themed TEDx conference. It’s the third time I’ve organised a TEDxDemontfortU conference and again, through this globally recognised platform our incredible speakers all brought to life the University’s mission to empower, inspire and educate through knowledge creation”. 

“The talks will be used for years to come in DMU Made and Careers Team lectures and workshops, and will be reached by thousands of others around the world. We can’t give enough praise to our coaches, speakers and all those who helped us deliver such an incredible event”. 

 This years TEDxDemontfortU conference includes talks from:

• Chris Wright Senior Lecturer and Co-ordinator of the Drawing Centre, Student Life & Library Services. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in education, Chris challenged the perception of creativity as an optional extra. How Creative Play and Experiential Learning Build Resilience | Chris Wright | TEDxDeMontfortU
•  Mary O'Neill, Senior Lecture in Fine Art, invited audiences to consider how museums can become living spaces of creativity rather than repositories of the past. Re-creative Practice: Bring the past to life and inform the future | Mary O'Neil | TEDxDeMontfortU
•  Jane Hearst, DMU alumna and Research and Policy Manager at the National Centre for Creative Health, explored the growing evidence linking creative activity with improved health and wellbeing. Jane’s talk will be available to watch on YouTube soon. Creative Ways of Staying Alive | Jane Hearst | TEDxDeMontfortU
•  Brett Koenig, Associate Head of Law, explored what will truly differentiate people in the future of work as artificial intelligence continues to reshape workplaces and education. The Human Edge: Thriving in an Age of Artificial Intelligence | Brett Koenig | TEDxDeMontfortU
•  Nicola Bishop, Academic Enhancement Lead in DMU Education Academy took audiences on a fascinating journey through the cultural history of office work. Nicola examined how negative perceptions of office environments have been constructed and reinforced over generations. How Popular Culture will Shape the Future of Office Work | Nicola Bishop | TEDxDeMontfortU
•  Amal Abuzeinab, Senior Lecturer in Energy and Built Environment and workplace development specialist, shared thoughtful reflections on the experiences of women in professional environments, exploring the factors that help women thrive in the workplace. How Women Flourish at Work | Amal Abuzeinab | TEDxDeMontfortU
•  Adele Tilley-Jones, Senior Enterprise Lecturer in Business and Law, challenged one of society's most enduring assumptions: that successful careers follow a straight line. The Future Of Work: Reimagining the 9 to 5 | Adele Tilley-Jones | TEDxDeMontfortU

 Following on from the success of this year’s conference, DMU Made is planning to organise another TEDx on campus next year. Details of how you can apply to be a speaker will be announced in due course. For more information on DMU Made, including its headline extracurricular programme Future Freelancers visit https://www.dmumade.com/take-part 

Posted on Wednesday 17 June 2026