TEDxNewy Speaker David Lubans: “I don’t crave security, I want to hazard my soul to opportunity”.
Courtesy of Vigilant Futures
TED is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to ‘ideas worth spreading’ and culminates in 2 annual conferences that feature an array of amazing speakers. In the past, this has included Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Google’s Larry Page & Sergey Brin & Bono. TEDx events capture the enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of the TED philosophy and transport them to communities all over the world, presenting independent events often featuring local presenters & projects.
Newcastle is hosting its first TEDx event this weekend, TEDxNewy. The day will cover topics such as the joy, terror and challenge of being a novice and what is our reproductive fate?, and feature a selection of speakers with a special connection to Newcastle.
David Lubans is the the Theme Leader for school based research in the University of Newcastle’s Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and his current research projects aim to increase physical activity and improve social and emotional well being in adolescents. David’s presentation is titled Learning from Dora the Explorer: lessons for teenage girls and their parents and Urban Insider spoke with him ahead of his presentation at TEDxNewy this Saturday…
Your work focuses on the promotion of physical activity & healthy eating among adolescent girls. How did you come to reach this focus area?
My undergraduate degree was in physical education (PE) and after working in schools, I found that many girls were not engaged in physical activity. Considering the extensive benefits of physical activity and the decline in activity typically observed among adolescent girls, I was surprised that not many people were researching strategies to engage this group.
What have been some of your findings?
It is difficult to prevent the decline in activity observed in this group. We have had more success trying to reduce their screen time than getting them to move more. Excessive screen time (i.e. TV, computer etc) has emerged as a major issue in this group.
How does Dora The Explorer fit in?
Dora is an unlikely role model for adolescent girls, but she possess the attributes of a strong resilient child. She is highly active, confident and a good problem solver. She is very different to the typical female story book characters.
What is your favourite quote?
“I don’t crave security, I want to hazard my soul to opportunity.” Peter O’Toole
What is your favourite thing about Newcastle?
It offers a great lifestyle, beautiful beaches, a great place to live.
What do you think events like TEDxNewy mean for Newcastle?
It will help to put Newcastle on the international stage. TEDxNewy will show the world the important things that Novocastrians are doing and what a great place Newcastle is.
Tickets to TEDxNewy, being held this Saturday, 12 November at The Playhouse at Civic Theatre, have sold out. You don’t have to miss out on the action however, with overflow seating and a live screening of the talks in City Hall’s Mulubinba Room from 9am till 5.30pm. Alternatively anyone can watch the talks live via webstream at the TEDxNewy website.
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