TED Fellows

Great systems begin with great ideas. Meet the 2026 #TEDFellows — 10 innovators redesigning health, democracy, justice, art and technology from the inside out. Learn more about this year's remarkable new cohort: blog.ted.com/meet-the-2026-… @kizzyphd, @tran_scends @carissaveliz, @TakashimaR_2023, @Hadi_alkhatib

Chef and TED Fellow @DieuveilMalonga is using ancestral food knowledge to elevate Africa’s distinct regional cuisines. Through training, farming and storytelling, his work is helping establish African food as a global culinary force: ted.com/talks/dieuveil…

“Plastic isn’t a problem itself. It’s how we produce it, how we use it and how we dispose of it,” says biotechnologist Patricia Aymà Maldonado, 2025 TED Fellow. Her solution? Train bacteria to turn organic waste into a new type of plastic — without producing microplastics. Watch her TED Fellows Film: ted.com/talks/patricia…

How do we hold onto humanity in a world full of conflict? With drawing, explains @george_butler, reportage artist and 2025 TED Fellow. In his Fellows Film, he shares how sitting, listening and drawing people’s stories in the middle of crisis zones can offer dignity and understanding — and connect one side of the world with another: t.ted.com/CB348t3

We don’t want to believe things that are false, but we don’t want to reject things that are true. How can we balance these two errors, from science and medicine to justice and social media? Subscribe to stay updated! youtube.com/watch?v=qXbdBY…

What happens when exponential problems - and exponential opportunities - hit a world that’s been taught to think linearly? And how can we do better? New video, made with the support of @TEDFellow program: youtube.com/watch?v=AdKxFx…

Where should we set the bar for evidence? Excited to share the first in a new video series, made with the support of @TEDFellow program. This series explores how we can make sense of a noisy, uncertain world. What is really happening? What should we do about it? And how can we communicate these things to others? You can watch the full video here (and hit subscribe for future updates - there will be a new video each week) youtube.com/watch?v=qXbdBY… These initial videos give a short, sharp overview in 4-6 mins. But would love to hear what you would find most valuable. Longer deep dives? More frequent short clips? Let me know!

“When we land in their communities, they can see someone who looks like them — and suddenly, their world expands," says Refilwe Ledwaba, TED Fellow and @GirlsFlyAfrica founder. Watch her full TED Fellow film to learn how she’s helping young people, particularly girls, across Africa reach new heights in tducation, career-training and beyond: t.ted.com/emM6SCo

Satellites in space are helping farmers on the ground. ✨ In her TED Fellows Film, food security specialist @CLNakalembe shows how satellite data helps protect farmers across Africa from climate threats to build resilience and protect their livelihoods: t.ted.com/34jR2hw

“We just don’t have a thousand years to wait. We have to do it now.” In his 2025 Fellow Film, protein engineer @cxarramirez of @pb3lab shows how AI is helping scientists design new proteins to fight disease, reduce pollution and reshape the future of humanity: t.ted.com/0IsT3UV

“I’ve always loved the forest — it’s more valuable than gold.” 🌱 In her Fellows Film, scientist Claudia Vega (@CINCIAMDD) shows how mercury from artisanal gold mining travels far beyond the Amazon — and how she’s helping communities fight back: t.ted.com/SYA1Wc1

Our 2025 Fellows: @ChiefDreamerDion @cxarramirez and @pb3lab @CLNakalembe  @GirlsflyAfrica @George_Butler  @txaisurui @mezamalonga

What does it take to shape the future? 🌍 🎥 Season 2 of the TED Fellows Film Series is here — featuring innovators turning waste into bioplastics, scientists using satellites to fight hunger, and artists revealing untold stories from around the world. Watch the first 5 films now — and meet the founders of a better future: t.ted.com/RckPaYh

“Part of being a dreamer is understanding that I decide what I focus on," says Dion Dawson, TED Fellow. His nonprofit, @DChicagoDream delivers fresh, quality produce to thousands of households each week — while creating jobs, and reinvesting in Chicago's communities. Watch his full #FellowsFilm: tinyurl.com/yprzwknu #TEDTalks #TEDFellows2025 #entrepreneurial

When a local economy collapses, rebuilding requires fresh ideas. TED Fellow Molly Hemstreet is driving change with community-owned manufacturing that keeps profits local and restores pride: tinyurl.com/dpwrubfp

Want to learn more? Jessie’s podcast with @ExploreAstro at Caltech IPAC is a great listen for anyone fascinated by what’s out there in the cosmos. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or on @spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7Bi7MWR7D…

Have you ever wondered if humans could live on another planet? 🤔 @NASA’s chief scientist of exoplanets and TED Fellow, Jessie Christiansen, has helped identify nearly 6,000 exoplanets — some blazing hot, others with the potential to sustain life. She breaks down 3 contenders for life beyond Earth and more in her @TEDTalks: bit.ly/4ePNwWI #NASA #exoplanets #spaceexploration #TEDTalk

He lost his strength, his breath, and nearly his art to long COVID. TED Fellow Joshua Roman shares how losing his ability to play his beloved cello led to something deeper: A reconnection to his art, his purpose and sense of self: bit.ly/42A8CCL