Looking back at our world today — where division often speaks louder than connection — what happens when we pause, listen, and step toward each other?
Common Ground is where that moment begins. Science tells us that connection, empathy, and dialogue stimulate the same areas in our brain as joy and creativity. By finding common ground, we rebuild trust, rediscover curiosity, and reconnect with the shared human experience that unites us all.
One Full Day of
Shared Experience
From 09:00 to 18:00, immerse yourself in inspiration, connection, and new perspectives.
The Unknown Grounds
After hearing so much about Common Grounds, you’ll want to step into it yourself. We’re not revealing what’s inside just yet — but it’s a space to discover, explore, and meet the unexpected.
Iconic
Location
The Ursulinenhof Linz is the perfect hotspot for our Common Grounds event, where creativity is at home. The location is accessible.
Workshops
There's no time to get bored, even during the breaks. Chat directly with the speakers and dive even deeper into the topics.
12 Speakers
Live on Stage
Experience 12 powerful voices from different fields as they share ideas worth spreading — live. Be part of the moment a TEDx Talk comes to life. You’ll be there from the very beginning of a talk that may later be seen by millions around the world.
Vegan & Vegetarian
Food & Drinks
From a vegan lunch to fresh breads, pastries, handmade chocolates, sweet treats, and refreshing drinks — everything is included. And of course, there’s coffee!
Green
Event
We take care of our environment and people. We therefore pay special attention to accessibility and reduce our footprint as much as possible.
Speakers with Different Perspectives
One Shared Common Ground
Expect 12+ speakers from fields such as art, science, education, business, technology, and more. Each will deliver an inspiring 18-minute TEDx Talk exploring how we find, build, and experience Common Ground in today’s world. Discover how connection, dialogue, and shared understanding can unfold in countless ways.
 Ann Christin Kornelsen (Germany)Forget the mission to Mars— why the humble peatland is actually our planet’s greatest climate superpower. |  Sidsel Dauv (Denmark)On Death and Biscuits - the dilema of endings. |  Mikkeline Thomsen (Denmark)Digital Hate Love Speech: The data behind digital democracy |
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 Jennifer Burs (Austria)Less Is More: The Power of Focus - Clarity begins the moment we stop trying to do everything. |  Matthias Rettenbacher (Austria)The day before my father dissapeared. |  Tommi Eronen (Finland)Sand Batteries: a twist in the conversation of the future of renewable energies. |
 Michael Kaufmann (Austria)Informed or Influenced? - Knowing more has never been easier — understanding has.Democracy in the Age of Endless Scroll - Being connected to everything can mean understanding nothing. |  Birgit Niessner (Austria)Silent Power, Silent Danger: Why Central Bank Literacy Matters for Democracy |  Adetayo Manuwa (Nigeria)The Power of small Encounters |
 Ulrich Drechsler (Austria)Silence, Music and Silence - a universal common ground |  Kate Armstrong (Bali)Turning Waste into a Resource: The future belongs to those who close the loop. |  Rainer Stropek (Austria)Building the future means making sure everyone has a seat at the table. Explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, AI, code, and education to discover how inclusive tech communities are the ultimate engine for innovation. |
How Do You Take a Break?
We all recharge differently. Some clear their heads by moving, others by sitting still. Some feel energized through conversation, others through quiet reflection. Some need time alone with their thoughts, others want to dive straight into discussion.
That’s exactly the idea behind our break program at Common Grounds.
During both breaks, you’re invited to choose how you want to pause, process, and reconnect — whether that means joining a workshop, meeting speakers, sharing ideas with others, enjoying food and coffee, or simply stepping back for a moment.
Ready to step into the in-between of Common Ground?
Explore the Break Program! Each icon below represents a different workshop or activity. Click on the ones that speak to you to learn more about the format, language, and duration.
Registration for all sessions happens directly at the event. Sessions take place in different locations: workshops in smaller rooms have limited capacity, while sessions in the Main Conference Room are open to everyone.
Choose your pause. Find your place. Join what resonates with you.
Step into Common Ground.
Lunch Break | 12:40 – 13:20
Meeting point and timing will be announced during moderation
Your moment to pause, explore, and find Common Ground.
Unfolding Soon
Something is in the making — ideas are quietly coming together and will unfold in time.
Ask what you’ve always wanted to know about TEDx talks.
Q&A | 20 min | English
Take a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Guided | 20 min | German
An open conversation without hierarchies — with 3 of our speakers. Exploring power, participation, and shared responsibility
20 Seats | 30 min | English
Afternoon Break | 15:15–15:50
Meeting point and timing will be announced during moderation
Another moment to pause, explore, and reconnect.
Before we speak, we listen. Discover Common Ground through music.
Music | 30 min | English
Why kids should learn to code like artists — creative, playful, and powered by AI.
Live Demo | 30 min | English
How local sand can store energy — and power the future
Live Demo | 30 min | English
Explore how circular systems can shape regenerative, community-centered cities
Limited | 30 min | German
Schedule
This is how the day will look like
More details will be posted in the coming weeks.
Please note that times may still change and will be finalized closer to the event — and may also adjust slightly on the day itself.
09:00
Admission & Accreditation
Including the Morning Coffee Break
10:00
Your event begins
10:00–12:00
Morning Sessions
12:00 -
13:30
Lunch Break
Including Lunch Break Sessions
13:30–17:30
Afternoon Sessions
Including the Afternoon Coffee Break and Break Sessions
18:00
The Event Ends
See you next time!
Food, Drinks & Good Conversations
Enjoy delicious food, sweets, and drinks while networking around COMMON GROUNDS
A full day of inspiring talks, performances, and shared experiences can be intense — so take a moment to recharge with a vegan lunch, fresh breads and pastries, handmade chocolates, and a variety of drinks. It’s the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and share meaningful conversations.
 Made in Austria; no added sugar, no artificial flavourings. Freshly pressed juice bottled immediately after production. |  Regional bakery from Linz/Steyregg; freshly hand-baked daily using local ingredients sourced directly from nearby farmers. |  Handmade chocolates from Austria; high-quality ingredients, free from artificial flavour enhancers and preservatives. |
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 Unpackbar is a zero-waste shop that treats us to organic cookies and locally sourced fruits. |  Cinema popcorn is the best, so we’re bringing it straight from Megaplex to our event. |  Pedacola is made from the cola shrub and mixed with beet sugar, vanilla, mint, lemon, and lime. It’s vegan, natural, caffeine-free, and the black specks come from real vanilla. |
 Made in Austria; high-quality organic fruit gums; with plant-basted citrus pectin; predominantly European suppliers; part of modern PEZ-brand-family |
With sustainability and highest quality in mind!
Location
Our event takes place at the creative heart of the city
Ursulinenhof Linz is establishing itself as a true meeting point in the center of Linz — a place where art, culture, and dialogue naturally come together.
Built around the values of creativity, social connection, learning, and openness, it embodies everything that Common Grounds represents.
There is no better place to bring Common Grounds to life with TEDxLinz — a space designed for encounters, conversations, and shared inspiration. The venue is fully accessible.
Ursulinenhof Linz | OÖ Kulturquartier | Landstraße 31, 4020 Linz
How to get there?
Ursulinenhof Linz | OÖ Kulturquartier, Landstraße 31, 4020 Linz
Walk or Bike
It’s just a 10-minute walk or a 4-minute bike ride from the main square. Stroll along Landstraße — Linz’s lively pedestrian zone — and arrive right at the OÖ Kulturquartier surrounded by cafés, galleries, and street life.
Car / Parking
If you’re arriving by car, there are several convenient parking options just a few minutes’ walk from the venue:
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OK Platz Garage (directly beneath the OÖ Kulturquartier) – Landstraße 31, 4020 Linz
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Promenaden Galerien Garage – Steingasse 6, 4020 Linz
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City-Parkgarage Seilerstätte – Seilerstätte 1, 4020 Linz
All garages are open 24/7 and only a few minutes away on foot. Please note that short-term parking zones are in effect around the city center.
Public Transport
Ursulinenhof Linz is right in the city center and easily reachable by public transport.
Tram lines: 1, 2, 3 and 4 — Stop: Taubenmarkt (just a 3-minute walk)
Bus lines: 45, 46 and 27 — Stop: Theatergasse
Travel time is about 10 minutes from Linz main station. Linz AG Timetable Information
Everyone is welcome on Common Grounds!
At TEDxLinz, we believe in Respect, Diversity, Openness, and Integrity.
Our goal is to create a space free from stereotypes and prejudices — a place where people with different backgrounds and perspectives can come together to explore ideas, learn from one another, and find their own Common Grounds.
Special Needs?
If you have any special needs or accessibility requirements, please contact us at office@tedxlinz.at
We will do our very best to support you and ensure your visit is comfortable and enjoyable!
Our Strong Partners
An event like TEDxLinz: Common Grounds would not be possible without the support of our partners. Their commitment helps us bring powerful ideas to the community and ensures that TEDx can continue to inspire, connect, and spark meaningful conversations across the region.
We are truly grateful to everyone who supports our work and shares our passion!
TEDxLinz Visionare
Our key partners who make this event possible.
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TEDxLinz Media Partners
Our media collaborators who help us amplify our message, reach new audiences, and share inspiring ideas with the wider community.
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TEDxLinz Sweethearts (In-Kind Partners)
Our generous in-kind supporters who contribute their skills, products, and services to enrich the TEDxLinz experience.
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Many hands to thank for!
In addition to the 17-person TEDxLinz team, we are supported by amazing designers, videographers, photographers, speaker coaches, and many dedicated volunteers who help give this event its unique character.
Thank you for your creativity, passion, and commitment!
Adam Montandon
Speaker Coach
Martin Dörsch
Medien Design & Visual Support
Denisa Krycnerova
Videographer
Sabine Kneidinger
Photographer
