Doctoral Student Emily Frith Presents at UM TEDx

By Nathan Towery

Emily Frith speaks about the effects of exercise on improving people’s creativity at the UM TEDx event. Photo by Nathan Towery

Emily Frith, a second-year doctoral student in health and kinesiology, was one of this year’s speakers at a recent TEDx University of Mississippi event.

TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently, under a free license granted by TED, the well-known “Technology, Entertainment and Design” nonprofit organization. For the past three years, UM has hosted a TEDx event, in which live presenters and TED Talks videos start conversations at the local level.

Frith’s research at UM focuses on the effects of health behavior on psychological parameters, specifically creativity-related cognition. Frith has published 37 peer-reviewed journal articles about her work.

She spoke about the effects of exercise on improving people’s creativity.

“Creativity is both the foundation and the pinnacle of human progress,” she said.

Although some people do not believe they are creative, “creativity is everywhere and in everyone,” Frith said. “There are simple strategies that we can use to elevate our creative-thinking ability, and one of these strategies is through exercise.”

Frith set a high bar for student participation at TEDx, said Marvin King, UM TEDx organizer and associate professor of political science and African American studies.

“This is the first year that we had student speakers, and to see Emily’s thoughtful and polished talk come to fruition is really gratifying,” King said.

“It was a dream come true to be selected for such an iconic event and have the opportunity to represent my department and university,” Frith said. “This event champions creative ideas, ideas worth spreading.”

To watch Frith’s entire presentation, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccfPs6tUAu4