The Leading Speakers Bureau

Cyborg artist

Neil Harbisson is a Catalan-raised, British-born contemporary artist and cyborg activist best known for having an antenna implanted in his skull and for being officially recog-nised as a cyborg by a govern-ment. The antenna allows him to
perceive visible and invisible col-ours such as infrareds and ultravio-lets via sound waves. The an-tenna’s internet connection allows him to receive colours from space as well as images, videos, music or phone calls directly into his head via external devices such as mo-bile phones or satellites.

First officially recognized Cyborg by a government

[expand title=”In detail”] Neil Harbisson studied art and mu-sic at various schools in Spain. At the age of 11, he began to com-pose his first piano pieces and with 16 years, he studied fine art at the Institut Alexandre Satorras. In 2001, Harbisson moved to Ireland to finish his piano studies at Dub-lin’s Waltons New School of Music. In 2002, he moved to England to study music composition at Dartington College of Arts. The antenna is a result of the co-operation between Adam Montandon, a cybernetics graduates, and Neil Harbisson himself. For this work, they earned the award for Innovation and Submerge in Bristol and the European Award for multimedia interface Design EUROPRIX Top Talent Award in Vienna. Together with Moon Ribas he co­founded the Cyborg Foundation in 2010, an international organisation that aims to help humans become cyborgs, defend cyborg rights and promote cyborgism as a social and artistic movement.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Harbisson identifies himself as a cyborg, he feels both his mind and body are united to cybernetics. In his presentations Neil Harbisson kidnaps his audience in his world and illu-strates in a brilliant way how his an-tenna really works. Furthermore, he underlines how important new tech-nologies really are and tells funny anecdotes he already has expe-rienced because of the antenna. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His special and unconventional presentations, as well as his great mixture of a good sense of humour and simple explanations about tech-nology, making him a highly appreci-ated guest for every kind of event. [/expand]

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Economist, Nobel Prize Winner 2011

Christopher Sims is an American econometrician and macroeconomist. He is currently the John F. Sherrerd University Professor of Economics at Princeton University. Together with Thomas Sargent, he won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2011. The award cited their “empirical research on cause and effect in the macroeconomy”. He has published numerous important papers in his areas of research: econometrics and macroeconomic theory and policy.

“One of the most relevant macroeconomists”

[expand title=”In detail”] Sims earned his A.B. in mathematics from Harvard University magna cum laude in 1963 and his PhD in Economics from Harvard in 1968. He has held teaching positions at Harvard, University of Minnesota, Yale University and, since 1999, Princeton. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. In 1995 he was elected President of the Econometric Society and in 2012 he was elected President of the American Economic Association.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Christopher Sims’ work during the 1970s and 1980s has been adopted by both researchers and policymakers throughout the world. Today, the methods developed are essential tools in macroeconomic analysis.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His highly informative presentations on economics make Christopher Sims a sought after commentator at prestigious conferences around the globe.[/expand]

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Former Regional Director BBC Worldwide, Media & Communication Expert

Hani Soubra is an experienced media and communication expert who worked in the Arab world for the last 20 years. With an extensive knowledge of the Gulf region, Hani has contributed significantly to debates in the field of politics and economics. For 13 years he was Regional Director for BBC Worldwide, handling their development in the MENA region across all BBC platforms.

“An eye-opening commentator on Middle East related issues”

[expand title=”In detail”] Hani studied Economics at the American University of Beirut and earned an MBA from the University Glasgow. He is an acclaimed author on politics and current affairs in the Middle East and a lecturer at the University of Middlesex, Dubai campus. In addition, he taught masters students Media and Creative Industries and is currently teaching global Journalism for undergraduates. As a public speaker, Hani lectures on media, culture, politics and current affairs at universities and forums around the world. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]The personification of the youth of the Middle East, Hani’s informed opinion and in depth analyse of Middle East and global political issues make him a sought after commentator at events around the globe. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Hani is an energetic and passionate speaker with a clear view of current affairs. His presentations are well received by any audience. [/expand]

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Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Danielle George is Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and a Professor in the Microwave and Communications Systems research group at the University of Manchester. Danielle’s expertise in radio frequency and microwave communications has a wide range of applications across a number of industries. To date most of her research and development work has been carried out on a variety of aspects relating to ultra-low noise receivers for Space and Aerospace applications.

“I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be involved in science and technology”

[expand title=”In detail”] Danielle completed her BSc in Astrophysics, MSc in Radio Astronomy at The Victoria University of Manchester based at Jodrell Bank Observatory, and her PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with UMIST. She worked at Jodrell Bank Observatory as a senior Radio Frequency Engineer until 2006 when she took up a lectureship post in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. She was awarded a Professorship in 2015. Danielle has worked with agriculturists on the development of instrumentation to measure water usage and with a number of multi-national companies such as Rolls Royce where she worked on industrial gas turbine engines.[/expand]

[expand title=”What she offers you”]Danielle demonstrates innovative concepts and ideas for commercial success.She isalso passionate about raising public awareness of the positive impact engineering and science has on all aspects of our everyday lives and highlighting to young people the immense depth and breadth of opportunities a career in engineering can offer.[/expand]

[expand title=”How she presents”]Danielle is able to both inform and inspire and can connect with audiences of all levels and functions and is a popular choice for a variety of conferences and events.[/expand]

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