Photo by Randy Stewart, Ignite Seattle https://www.flickr.com/photos/stewtopia
Used with permission.
April 04, 2019
Ignite Talks coming to SIU April 25, with nine speedy presentations on the agenda
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Nine fun and educational presentations are coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale this month with the officially licensed Ignite Talks.
Hosted by SIU’s communication studies department, students and community members get five minutes to talk with 20 slides that progress every 15 seconds. The speeches are audience-oriented, giving a taste of a topic without overloading with information.
Free to the public, the event is set for April 25 at the Varsity Theater.
Presentations feature unique topics
With such a fast-paced setting, presenters will share insights and perspectives on both individual and distinctive topics. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a cash bar available. Presentations are 7-8:30 p.m., with complimentary snacks included.
Speakers and topics include:
- Pigasus for President – Lacey Brown.
- Mac and cheese’s journey to America’s comfort food – Emily Buice.
- Dream up – Diogo Seixas.
- How to overcome anxiety – Danny Damian.
- Work doesn’t have to suck – DJ Jeffries.
- Engineering success with soft skills – Bruce DeRuntz.
- We are NOT created equal – Greg Wendt.
- Future of fertility – Katherine Hinders.
- From orphan to doctor and other stories from our work in Bangladesh – Shema Ruperto.
International collaboration
Held all around the world, Ignite Talks first started in 2006 in Seattle before expanding to hundreds of other cities. The goal of the event is fun and education, allowing presenters to share their ideas and insights with the world.
For Craig Engstrom, director of undergraduate studies in communication studies, the event is a great way to connect with the local and global community.
"We've been doing Ignite-style talks in our courses for years,” Engstrom said. “We decided to do an official Ignite event because it allows us to provide coaching services to the community, showcases Carbondale and SIU thought leaders, and puts SIU in touch with a global community of passionate public speakers. We've received advice and given advice to Ignite hosts in Baghdad, Bergen, and Brisbane."
Sponsors for SIU’s officially licensed event include Communication@Work, the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Communication Studies, Cristaudos, Thai Taste and GregoryWendt.com.
While the event is free, tickets are required for entry. Register at siuc3.com.