Face value | Sophie Casey | TEDxSt Swithuns School

How much do we really know about a person after a single glance? In this powerful and deeply personal talk, the speaker reveals how snap judgements formed in fractions of a second can shape the lives of people with visible differences. Using her own experience of growing up with a cleft lip and palate, alongside examples from popular culture and psychological research, Sophie explores how media representations influence unconscious bias. From film villains with facial scars to real-world discrimination, she examines how stereotypes are carried into everyday interactions and invites us to see the person behind the face. ‘Face Value’.
As STEM Ambassador at St Swithun’s, Sophie enjoys encouraging younger students to engage with science and explore new ideas. She is particularly interested in the relationship between biology and psychology, especially how these disciplines shape perception and behaviour. Outside the classroom, she is competing in the European Space Agency’s CanSat competition, working as part of a team to design and build a miniature satellite the size of a soda can. She plans to pursue her love of scientific research at university. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx