TEDxAberdeen is back for a fourth event in 2026 and we’re looking for our next cohort of speakers with bold ideas worth sharing. Being a TEDx speaker not only gives you a platform to share your ideas and experiences with a audience from the North East of Scotland, but you can also gain international recognition by having your talk published on TEDx channels.
We’re looking for 10-12 powerful stories or bold ideas to take to the stage at this year’s event. This isn’t a platform to promote yourself or your business, your talk needs to inspire the audience to act or think differently after listening to you. If you think you’ve got what it takes – start your application today.
Apply to speak
Submit your application to be a speaker at TEDxAberdeen 2026. Tell us your idea worth sharing by 23:00 on 31st May 2026 for your chance for a place on the big red dot.
Start ApplicationABOUT THE THEME
Our theme for 2026 is: Minds Wide Open
What happens when we truly open our minds? What impact can a new perspective, uncomfrotable truth, or unexpected idea have on us?
For TEDxAberdeen we are looking for talks that question assumptions, rethink what we know, and explore ideas that shift our perspectives. We want ideas that offer a fresh lens on life, community, culture, society, work, technology, or media – but that are grounded in real stories.
We are looking for ideas that offer a local angle to the North East of Scotland. Your talk concept must show your interpretation of this theme and align with the concept. Think about the following:
- When was a time in your life when your mind was wide open?
- What does ‘open mindedness’ unlock?
- What have you discovered that others haven’t noticed yet?
- What aspects of North East Scotland needs an open mind?
BENEFITS OF APPLYING
If you are selected to be a TEDxAberdeen speaker – this will be a lot of hard work. You will need to spend many weeks drafting, revising, rehearsing your talk from July to October 2026. You must be prepared for the committment required. But in exchange, you will benefit from one of the most comprehensive TEDx speaker training available.
- Three months of free speaker training (usually valued at £1,000s+)
- Final talk edited and published on TEDx channels (subscribers 44M+)
- Deliver your talk on a theatre stage in Aberdeen (audience of 250+)
- Gain credibility and recognition as a TEDx speaker (images of you on the red dot)
- Connection and community with fellow speakers (cohort of 10 others)
ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in applying to be a speaker – you’ll need to progress through the following steps to go from first thoughts to red dot.
Submitt written application form
Shortlist screening
Participate in Idea Showcase
Finalist selection
Prepare your TEDx talk
Deliver TEDx talk
ABOUT BEING A TEDX SPEAKER
If you want a deeper understanding of the journey of becoming a TEDxAberdeen speaker, take a look at the documentaries below produced by Erin from Pink Sphynx Media that highlights the journey speakers go on from initial submission to final presentation.
Apply by 31 May 2026 to be a TEDx Speaker
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We are looking for a strong core idea that offers a fresh perspective or a new way of thinking or acting as a result of your talk. You don’t need to have invented anything brand new, but it does need to have your own experience or view point to make it relevant. We want to hear real stories, but where there is lesson or meaning behind it. As this is TEDxAberdeen we also want to curate a programme that tells the story of the North East of Scotland.
All TEDx talks must be shorted than 18 minutes to be able to be uploaded to YouTube. We expect talks to be roughly 8 – 12 minutes to keep the audience engaged and to make your content meaningful.
TEDx has some specific rules about what is expected from talks held under it’s brand. Applicants will not be accepted or able to proceed to the stage if the talk includes any of the following:
❌ No selling or self-promotion
❌ No political/religious agendas
❌ No ungrounded claims (“bad science”)
❌ No vague motivational concepts
No, you don’t need to have spoken publicly or professionally before. We are looking for first-time speakers as well as seasoned ones. As long as you have a brilliant idea that aligns well with our theme and is worth spreading, we want to hear from you!
No, TEDx speakers are not paid. However, for TEDxAberdeen speakers will benefit from £1,000s worth of communication training for free in exchange for their time in preparing for the event.
Yes, it’s likely that if you work 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, you will need to take some time off to engage with the TEDxAberdeen process. For example, the dress rehearsal will be all day on Friday 23rd October 2026 – all speakers must attend this. The in-person training sessions will likely take place at least twice a month, once a week from July to October.