TEDxUKY Returns April 19

The University of Kentucky will host the 2026 TEDxUKY event 2-6 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the UK Gatton Student Center.

TEDxUKY is a student-led initiative dedicated to "ideas worth spreading," bringing together voices from across the university to spark curiosity and connection. This year's theme, "Ripple Effect," examines how a single research finding, idea or spark can transform countless others. The program features six speakers from the UK community whose presentations explore the quiet beginnings of significant change and the power of individuals to touch lives in unforeseen ways.

The 2026 speaker lineup includes:

• Abigail Latimer, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Social Work and College of Medicine, will explore how to better connect with people facing difficult times. Her talk challenges the audience to move beyond surface-level phrases and lean into discomfort to offer genuine support.
• Dee Dlugonski, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences and director of the Active Girls Healthy Women Program in the Sports Medicine Research Institute, will examine the physical, mental and social benefits of moving together. She will highlight how shared movement, such as walking or sports, can strengthen community health and build deeper connections.
• Elizabeth Rhodus, Ph.D., primary faculty in the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation, assistant professor in the College of Medicine and researcher with the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, will focus on how the ability to manage behavior and emotions begins with a calm nervous system. She will explain that the foundation for strong mental health begins at birth and is shaped by life environments.
• Kathryn Preston, Ph.D., team dynamics consultant and communications trainer, will explore the reasons why people often remain silent during team meetings. Her presentation will share practical, evidence-based strategies for creating collaborative environments where everyone is willing to contribute.
• Kenton Sena, Ph.D., senior lecturer in the Lewis Honors College, will discuss how small, everyday actions can lead to meaningful environmental change. Drawing on his expertise in forest restoration, he will highlight how individual efforts add up to create a lasting local impact.
• Lou Hirsch, Ph.D., director of FIELD, co-director of undergraduate studies for the Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology and assistant professor in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, will examine the future of education. He argues that instead of focusing on efficiency, education should be more human-centered and built on meaningful relationships and connection.