A former student from the Valley is putting her education to the test and has been asked to be a presenter for the famous TEDx series. TEDx is considered a grassroots initiative to research and discover ideas worth spreading. Shaelyn Carr, who is currently studying at the University of Regina, has been asked to be one of the presenters in this year’s lineup.
“I grew up in Swan River, attending ESRSS from grade 6 through high school at SVRSS,” said Carr. “My parents are Debora and Lloyd Carr, and my grandma is Lena Hubscher. I’m currently in my third year of a PhD in Experimental and Applied Psychology, specializing in Forensic Psychology, which explores how psychology interacts with the criminal justice system.
“My research focuses on ways to make the justice system fairer—like developing age-appropriate police lineups for children and exploring more reliable techniques for detecting deception with suspects and alibis.”
Throughout Carr’s studies, she has been taking opportunities to broaden her horizons as well as challenge what she is learning in university. This opened the door to her taking part in TEDx.
“I’m passionate about translating my complex research into ideas that the general public can understand,” said Carr. “In 2025, I competed in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Storyteller competition, which challenges participants to tell the story of their research in three minutes. I placed first in the University of Regina competition and was selected as a national winner.
“From there, I was invited to present at the University of Regina’s annual Taste of Research event, which showcases standout faculty and students in a TED-style format. After that presentation, an organizer from TEDx approached me about speaking at their 2026 event.
“The theme for the TED event is Once Upon Our Future,” said Carr. “ We’re at a critical moment in history where the world and our community need more than hopes and dreams; we need action. Every generation imagines what the future could look like, but the future does not just happen on its own. We have to write it and shape it together.
“Once Upon Our Future invites us to dream boldly, act quickly, and take responsibility for the chapters that are still unwritten. It is about turning ideas into action, using our creativity and collaboration. We are building a world that reflects the hopes, values, and possibilities of us as humans because the story of what comes next is ours to tell, together.
“My talk will connect my research to this theme by discussing ways to make the justice system fairer,” said Carr. “Too often, the justice system relies on whether a child or witness is believed before their testimony has weight. My TEDx talk will argue that we shouldn’t wait for belief. We need procedures and tools that help us know the truth. I will highlight new police lineup techniques I’ve explored that provide a clearer sense of how likely an eyewitness is to identify a guilty person, as well as reliable tools for detecting deception in suspects and alibis.
“Much of my research focuses on children, who are particularly vulnerable in the justice system. For example, among Canadian children, reports of sexual abuse rose 190 percent from 2011 to 2021, meaning roughly 8 percent of Canadians experience sexual abuse before the age of 15, according to Statistics Canada data from 2021. My talk will educate the public on these issues and discuss some of the ways we can improve the criminal justice system to better protect children and ensure fairness for all.
“My research is directly related to making the criminal justice system more reliable and equitable,” said Carr. “The talk will draw from my work in forensic psychology, where I test and develop methods that improve how evidence, like eyewitness testimony or suspect statements, is evaluated. It’s about using research to create a justice system that’s fairer for everyone.
“I absolutely love talking about my research and doing so in a way that laypeople can understand! This is also a really good opportunity to network and connect with the broader city of Regina.”
This is an incredible experience for Carr and is something she is looking forward to. Most would be intimidated by the public speaking aspect, but not Carr. She actually thrives off of it.
“This is also a full-circle moment for me,” said Carr. “When I was an undergraduate student, I watched TED talks regularly for class assignments or in lectures. Now, I have the opportunity to stand on that TED red circle and present my work to the community. My TEDx talk will be recorded and posted on YouTube, so it is a TED talk that the next generation of undergraduate students might watch and learn from.
“I’m one of the weird people who actually enjoys public speaking. I love translating research into accessible ideas and seeing someone have that ‘aha’ moment. I prepare by practicing my presentation repeatedly—in the car, walking to school, or even getting ready in the morning. The more familiar I am with the material, the more confident I feel on stage. I also remind myself that no one in the audience knows my research better than I do, which helps calm any nerves.”
Carr is set to give her TEDx presentation in the spring, but for those who aren’t able to attend it in person, there will be an opportunity to stream it online.
“I will be speaking at TEDx Regina on May 30, 2026,” said Carr. “The event will be held in Regina and is expected to draw over 450 attendees. After the event, my TEDx talk will be posted on YouTube, where anyone can watch it.”