TEDxDUTH

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Adithesis

  Adithesis Dance Studio is a collective built on diversity, transformation, and unity. Different bodies, identities, and expressions come together to form a constantly evolving whole—one that is never fixed, yet always connected. Each choreography becomes a story: abstract, layered, and open to interpretation. Their work invites the audience to decode meaning through their own perspective, making every experience personal and unique. Over the years, the group has continuously evolved. Dancers come and go, each leaving their mark while making space for the next. Through this ongoing flow of people, ideas, and artistic influences, Adithesis remains both consistent and ever-changing—shaped by its past, defined by its present.

• Alexandros Skouris

  Alexandros Skouris is a PhD Candidate in Infection, Immunity and Inflammation at Rutgers University in the USA. Prior to his current role, he worked in the Strategy Unit of the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) while pursuing an MSc in International Health Policy at LSE. Alexandros obtained his BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics at DUTH, where he founded iGEM Thrace, and coordinated science communication events funded by the Erasmus+ and the European Parliament. Lastly, Alexandros served on OECD's Youth Advisory Board for 2023-2024 and as the inaugural United Nations Youth Delegate of Greece for 2024-2025. Alex has been supported by scholarships at all stages of his academic journey, and has been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 2024 - Greece.

• Anemi

  Anemi is a musical group formed in late 2023, with the aim of creating a dialogue between the past and present of Greek music. Inspired by the traditional tool that unwinds the thread, their name symbolizes the process of unfolding the musical heritage and weaving it anew with a contemporary perspective. The group brings together six musicians from different backgrounds, united by a common artistic vision. Combining elements of tradition with a contemporary sound, their arrangements - with voice, guitars, bouzouki, bass, drums and brass - focus on detail and emotional depth, allowing each song to be reintroduced with authenticity and freshness. Through their work, Anemi bridges generations, reconnecting the audience with the essence of Greek music.

• Christos Karakostidis

  Christos Karakostidis is an Education and Career Consultant dedicated to helping people align their personality with their professional path. With over 1,500 hours of career counseling in just two years, he has worked with individuals across Greece, while actively contributing to the Career Sector of Labora. His journey began in History and Archaeology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, before shifting toward career guidance through postgraduate studies in Cyprus—driven by his own search for purpose. He is a frequent speaker at major career and education events, a contributor to national media, and part of the editorial team behind the award-winning study guide “Studies with a Future.” Through his work, he aims to inspire, inform, and empower people to make meaningful career decisions.

• George Pavlidis

  George Pavlidis (Senior Member IEEE) received his diploma and PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, for which he was awarded the Ericsson Award of Excellence in Telecommunications. He is a Research Director at the Athena Research Center, where he heads the Media, Speech and Content Technologies Department. His research focuses on digital image and multimedia technologies, content analysis and retrieval, machine learning and artificial intelligence, digital humanities, humanities computing, cultural informatics, 3D digitization, and cross-reality applications.

• Iliana Konstantina Galani

  Iliana Konstantina Galani is a content creator and actress representing a new generation of digital storytellers. Through her YouTube and social media presence, she shares lifestyle-driven content that resonates with a young audience, building a community of over 130,000 subscribers. Alongside her digital work, she has appeared in Greek television, expanding her presence into the entertainment industry. Blending authenticity with creativity, her content reflects everyday experiences, personal growth, and the realities of growing up in a hyper-connected world. Through her work, she explores how identity, influence, and self-expression evolve in the age of social media.

• Ioanna Pervou

  Dr. Ioanna Pervou is an Assistant Professor of Public International Law at the Democritus University of Thrace. She holds postgraduate degrees in public international law (University of Cambridge), administrative law (Democritus University of Thrace), and healthcare management (American College of Thessaloniki). Her Cambridge thesis won the "Constantinos Economides" award from the Hellenic Society of International Law and International Relations. She completed her PhD in Public International Law with a dissertation on enforced disappearance, funded by an Academy of Athens scholarship. She has also received scholarships from IKY, the Vergottis Foundation, and the Onassis Foundation. Dr. Pervou serves on the International Law Association's “Global Health Law” committee. As a Visiting Fellow at LSE Health (2023–2025), she researches the intersection of health law and artificial intelligence. She is also a practicing lawyer in Thessaloniki.

• Jo Dennys

  Jo Dennys, often simply known as Dennys, is a 21-year-old Greek queer and gender-fluid model and influencer from Xanthi. Through fashion, image, and digital presence, Dennys explores identity beyond stereotypes and brings visibility to more fluid, honest ways of being. Openly embracing pronouns that reflect personhood beyond conventional labels, Dennys represents a new generation redefining self-expression, belonging, and public presence. With authenticity at the core of both personal and professional life, Jo Dennys uses visibility not just as style, but as statement—creating space for more open conversations around queerness, freedom, and the right to exist as one’s true self.

• Léona

  Léona is a Greek singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Self-taught in guitar, piano, and bass, she writes and arranges all her music independently. As an independent artist, she has built a strong connection with her audience through social media, sharing music and perspectives rooted in personal experiences and contemporary Greek culture. With a background in philosophy, her work blends depth with accessible, catchy pop and R&B sounds. Her artistic identity is shaped by themes of courage, justice, and honesty. In 2024–2025, several of her songs and concepts—such as “Ellada 2.0,” “Cool Down,” and the concept “Stixoi apo Toixous” (“Lyrics from Walls”)—went viral, showcasing her genre-fluid style and distinctive voice.

• Maria Mitsiaki

  Maria Mitsiaki is an Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities of the Democritus University of Thrace, specializing in the teaching of Greek as a second language. She holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has taught in Greece and abroad. Her research focuses on language education, academic literacy, curriculum design, and language assessment. She has contributed extensively to national and international educational programs, including curriculum development for Greece, Cyprus, and the Greek diaspora. With over 80 publications and 100 conference presentations, she is actively involved in shaping educational policy, currently serving on the Board of the Institute of Educational Policy.

• Maria Tsiliakou

  Dr. Maria Tsiliakou is a Supreme Court Attorney and Senior Legal Counsel at ABB for Greece and Cyprus, with over 25 years of experience in international commercial and business law. She holds a PhD and MA in Criminology and an LL.M in International Commercial Law. Throughout her career, she has worked across major institutions, including international organizations, professional associations, and corporate leadership roles, while also serving as an arbitrator at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Alongside her legal practice, she has taught for over 15 years at institutions such as the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Greek Police Academy. Author of multiple books and numerous scientific publications, her work bridges law, business, and society with a strong focus on ethics and global perspective.

• Maria Vrachiolia

  Maria Vrachiolia is a primary education teacher with postgraduate studies in Psychopedagogy and in Information and Communication Technologies in Education. Her work focuses on pedagogical approaches that foster critical thinking, self-regulation, and student agency in the learning process. She is particularly interested in how artificial intelligence can support education in meaningful and responsible ways, always keeping the human being at the center of learning. Through her perspective, technology becomes not a substitute for education, but a tool for deeper understanding, empowerment, and more conscious teaching practices.

• Michalis Seitis

  Michalis Seitis is a Greek Paralympian sprinter, speaker, and symbol of resilience. Born in Rhodes in 1987, he returned to competitive athletics just months after losing his right leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident in 2013. Since then, he has gone on to set two world records at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and earn major distinctions at international level, including a gold medal at the 2025 World Abilitysport Games in Thailand. Beyond sport, he is widely recognized for transforming personal adversity into a message of determination, discipline, and possibility. Through his journey, Michalis Seitis inspires audiences to rethink limitation, embrace perseverance, and keep moving forward against the odds.

• Panagiotis Gkorezis

  Panagiotis Gorezis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Lancaster University and completed his PhD and postdoctoral research in HRM and Organizational Behavior at AUTH. His research has been published in leading international journals, including Journal of Vocational Behavior and Human Resource Management outlets. His work explores how people think, behave, and perform within organizations. He is also the creator of the HResearch podcast, where he discusses contemporary topics in human resources and organizational behavior.

• Theodora Androni

  Theodora Androni is the founder of The Botanical Project, a Greek slow fashion brand inspired by nature and sustainability. Based in Athens, she transforms plants, flowers, and organic materials into unique garments made from 100% natural fabrics such as silk, cotton & linen, blending traditional dyeing techniques with contemporary design. Her work emphasizes ethical fashion, craftsmanship, and a deep connection between humans and the natural world. Collaborating with local producers—primarily in Soufli—she sources raw silk and personally oversees each stage of creation. Using natural dyes from plants such as oak, madder, and eucalyptus, she creates one-of-a-kind pieces while following low- and zero-waste principles. Through experiential workshops, she shares her process, promoting mindful and sustainable fashion.

• Vasiliki Stroli

  Vasiliki Stroli is a writer and creative writing instructor based in Xanthi, Greece. She is the founder of the creative writing lab “Filanagnosia,” where she cultivates a love for reading and storytelling through workshops and educational activities. She holds a degree from the School of Philosophy at the University of Ioannina and a Master’s in Creative Writing from the University of Western Macedonia. Her work focuses on nurturing imagination, expression, and literary creativity across different age groups. She is the author of the books “Ένα -όχι και τόσο- παραμύθι” and “This is a Poem,” exploring storytelling through both playful and reflective perspectives.