In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

American University of Armenia
40 Marshal Baghramyan Avenue
Yerevan, Erevan, 0019
Armenia

Elizabeth Vickery

AUA Student, Biomedical Engineer

Elizabeth Vickery is a senior student at the American University of Armenia (AUA), majoring in Engineering. She is also a research assistant at AUA and an aspiring biomedical engineer. Elizabeth has experience in rehabilitation engineering, specifically upper limb prosthetics, as well as a variety of other medical technologies, such as artificial muscles, medical imaging and diagnostics, and more rehabilitative technologies. She collaborates with the Stevens Institute of Technology and Harvard Medical School on various projects in the scope of biomedical engineering. Elizabeth is mainly interested in bionics and surgical technologies, striving to develop new technologies, devices, and tools to improve healthcare globally.

Gurgen Aslanyan

Assistant Professor and MS in Economics Program Chair

Dr. Gurgen Aslanyan is the Chair of the Economics Program at the American University of Armenia (AUA) and currently serves as the President of the Armenian Economic Association. He also sits on the Economic Council Board of the Republic of Armenia. Dr. Aslanyan is a Development Economist specializing in policy evaluation. Throughout his career, he has consulted for both the private and public sectors, including the Central Bank of Armenia. As a researcher he has been affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and the Czech Academy of Sciences. Since 2016, Dr. Aslanyan has been an adjunct lecturer at the AUA. He is also a Teaching Fellow at CERGE-EI in Prague and a Researcher at the Economics Laboratory of Ural Federal University. Prior to that he has been teaching (classroom, seminars, trainings) in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Georgia, Russia, the UK, and the US. Dr. Aslanyan has presented and published his research internationally, and is a recipient of various awards.

Michael Smith

Associate Professor at AUA, PhD

Dr. Michael T. Smith is an Associate Professor of English and Communication at the American University of Armenia (AUA). He teaches and specializes in literature, film, and media. He has an extensive publication record, with over 200 creative pieces of poetry and prose published in more than 80 journals. Dr. Smith earned his PhD from Purdue University in 2014, where he was also a founding member of the transdisciplinary studies program. His research interests focus on transdisciplinarity, literary studies, and film. Prior to joining AUA, Dr. Smith worked in Saudi Arabia. His academic contributions and creative works reflect his passion for blending disciplines and exploring the intersections of literature, media, and culture. Passionate about travel, he enjoys exploring new places and cultures.

Molly Freeman

Adjust Assistant Professor at AUA, PhD

Dr. Molly Freeman holds a PhD in Complex Systems and Distance Learning. Her expertise is in Dialogic Pedagogy for student engagement and empowerment. Her work has been greatly influenced by Paulo Freire. Dr. Freeman has served as the Chair of the Division of Education and Human Development at Holy Names College, collaboratively reviewed over 40 educational research reports and prepared more than 6,000 K-12 teachers in Silicon Valley to effectively integrate the Internet into their curricula. In addition, she has taught dialogic methods to software engineers and professionals in Malaysia and Armenia and instructed Masters' students in an online Educational Leadership program at Mills College. Currently, Dr. Freeman teaches "Critical Thinking for the Digital Era" at the American University of Armenia (AUA) and serves on the Board of the Armenian Bay Area Health Association. Dr. Freeman divides her time between the village of Ushi in Armenia and Berkeley, California.

Narek Ghazaryan

Chief Communications Officer at AUA

Narek Ghazaryan is the Chief Communications Officer at the American University of Armenia. He brings over 7 years of experience in leading collaborative teams of creative professionals within the Office of Communications and Alumni Relations. His areas of expertise lie in marketing and branding, grounded in an approach based on building experiences. Narek believes in the power of storytelling. His eclectic international background allows him to bridge different stories into a cohesive narrative. He deeply believes in social entrepreneurship and is passionate about working with initiatives that spearhead important changes in our society. Leveraging innovative methods across social media, news media relations, marketing, video, multimedia, electronic and print publications, graphic design, and web to help cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with key audiences and build impact, visibility, value, thought leadership.

Sarkis Keshishian

Student Counselor at AUA, Mental Health Professional

Sarkis Keshichian is a seasoned mental health professional and advocate with over a decade of experience. He is actively engaged in several humanitarian projects focused on supporting displaced populations, reflecting his deep commitment to mental health and social well-being. Alongside his humanitarian work, Sarkis serves as a Student Counselor at the American University of Armenia (AUA), where he provides guidance and support to students. Currently, he is finalizing his upcoming book, A Moment with Myself, set to be released by the end of 2024.

Sheila Paylan

Human Rights Lawyer

Sheila Paylan is an international human rights lawyer with over 15 years of experience. She has served as a legal advisor to the United Nations, where she has advocated for human rights across various countries and regions. Now based in Yerevan, Sheila regularly consults for a variety of international organizations, NGOs, think tanks, and governments, employing her deep expertise to effect change in the complex field of human rights. Her contributions to both academic discourse and mainstream media are extensive, marking her as a respected thought leader and an authoritative figure on human rights issues. She is the author behind the biweekly column “Unleashed” for EVN Report. Her voice on the international stage is poised to inspire action and bring about meaningful change in the world.