The best way to predict the future is to create it.
Dr. Michelle Dickinson (MNZM) is a force of nature in the world of nanotechnology and materials engineering. Her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to innovation, education, and empowering others.
For over two decades, Michelle has been at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, tackling challenges across various fields - from medical applications to cutting-edge solutions for startups and established corporations.
Driven by an insatiable curiosity and a lifelong love for science, Michelle established New Zealand's only nanomechanical testing laboratory. Here, she dives deep into the intricate world of the minuscule, helping companies translate groundbreaking ideas into tangible realities. Her expertise is highly sought after by investors and venture capitalists who rely on her insights to navigate the high-tech investment landscape. However, Michelle emphasises that true success in technology transcends the brilliance of the innovations themselves; it hinges on clear communication of science and fostering diversity within engineering teams.
Michelle's personal story is one of triumph. Having overcome challenging circumstances through the power of education, she co-founded Nanogirl Labs with a mission: to make STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) not just understandable, but truly engaging for everyone. Nanogirl Labs is more than an educational platform; it's a movement that ignites a passion for science. Through captivating content and interactive learning experiences, Michelle empowers individuals from all backgrounds to not only understand technology but also become creators in this exciting field. Initiatives like the bestselling "The Kitchen Science Cookbook" and STEM education programs in the Pacific Islands are testaments to her dedication to breaking down barriers and fostering scientific exploration.
Michelle's ability to translate complex concepts into clear and engaging narratives extends beyond the lab. As a captivating keynote speaker, she shares her insights on the future of education, work, and technology. Her presentations, brimming with real-world examples, make advancements in AI and robotics not only understandable but also thrilling. Michelle's talks are more than informative; they inspire and equip audiences with the tools needed to thrive in a world of constant technological evolution.
Her numerous accolades, including the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, and the Women of Influence Award for Science and Innovation, speak volumes about her impact on science and society.
In a world where technology races forward at breakneck speed, Michelle's guidance becomes even more valuable. She champions curiosity as the driving force behind innovation, demonstrating that exploration fueled by wonder leads to the most meaningful technological advancements. Her story is a powerful narrative of relentless pursuit, transformative education, and the unwavering belief that everyone has the potential to be a creator in the ever-evolving world of technology. Dr. Michelle Dickinson's journey is a beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path towards a future brimming with possibility.
Talking Points
Rewiring for the Future: Thriving in a Tech-Driven World
With AI and robotics transforming industries, the nature of work is shifting faster than ever. Michelle explores how businesses and individuals can adapt by cultivating skills that complement technology, including creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. She also discusses how to stay ahead of AI trends to ensure your team remains competitive and future-ready.Rewiring for the Future: Thriving in a Tech-Driven World
Key Takeaways:
Understand the human skills that technology cannot replace and how to cultivate them in your workforce.
Learn practical strategies for fostering adaptability and resilience in the face of rapid change.
Discover how to integrate AI and emerging technologies into your business processes effectively.
Gain actionable insights into staying informed about AI trends to future-proof your organisation.
Explore real-world examples of businesses thriving through innovation and collaboration.
Perfect for: Organisations navigating industry disruption and leaders preparing their workforce for the future of work.
Finding Your Voice: Communicating for Impact
In a world overflowing with information and rapid technological change, the ability to communicate effectively is more vital than ever. This keynote explores how curiosity and storytelling can cut through the noise, transforming complex ideas into messages that resonate and inspire action.Finding Your Voice: Communicating for Impact
Dr. Michelle Dickinson shares her personal journey from introverted engineer to global keynote speaker, offering practical strategies to build confidence, find your authentic voice, and communicate with impact, whether you’re speaking to a live audience or engaging in virtual meetings.
Michelle also delves into how emerging tools like AI can enhance communication without replacing the important human connection, and how leaders, educators, and decision-makers can bridge the gap between research, technology, and real-world applications.
Key Takeaways:
Gain confidence in public speaking and learn how to craft authentic, impactful messages.
Explore storytelling techniques to make complex ideas accessible and inspiring for diverse audiences.
Discover how curiosity and empathy can enhance your communication approach.
Learn how to effectively use AI tools to augment communication while maintaining a human connection.
Understand how to translate research and emerging technologies into actionable insights for real-world impact.
Perfect for: Professionals, educators, and teams looking to build confidence in communication, connect across diverse audiences, and harness curiosity to inspire innovation.
Technology Trends: Navigating the Future of Business
The rapid pace of innovation can feel overwhelming, but technology doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this talk, Michelle demystifies emerging technologies, from AI to quantum computing, offering practical advice on how to harness these tools to solve real-world challenges.Technology Trends: Navigating the Future of Business
This talk provides actionable insights into identifying and leveraging the technologies that will shape the future.
Key Takeaways:
Spot the emerging trends that matter most to your business.
Understand the role of customer centricity in technology investments.
Foster workplace innovation through curiosity and hands-on experimentation.
Perfect for: Forward-thinking organisations ready to embrace change.
MC
Dr. Michelle Dickinson is an experienced and engaging MC who brings energy, clarity, and a natural ability to connect with audiences. With a background in science, technology, and education, she is skilled at guiding discussions, keeping events on track, and ensuring speakers and panels are well-supported. Michelle has hosted a wide range of events, from corporate conferences and government forums to industry summits and innovation panels. Her warm and approachable style, combined with her ability to simplify complex topics, makes her a trusted choice for events that require both expertise and audience engagement.
MC
Curiosity as a Catalyst for Innovation
Children are natural innovators, asking hundreds of questions each day. Yet, as we grow older, our curiosity and ability to ask questions diminishes. Why does this happen, and how can we reignite it? This hands-on keynote explores how curiosity drives innovation, creativity, and breakthroughs in technology, offering a roadmap to help individuals and organisations think differently.Curiosity as a Catalyst for Innovation
Key Takeaways:
Understand why curiosity diminishes over time and how to reignite it in yourself and your team.
Learn how to foster a culture of curiosity and questioning within your organisation.
Explore the connection between curiosity, creativity, and innovation in solving complex problems.
Gain tools and techniques to encourage innovative thinking and unconventional solutions.
Discover inspiring real-world examples of how curiosity has led to breakthroughs in technology and business.
Key Takeaways:
Spot the emerging trends that matter most to your business.
Understand the role of customer-centricity in technology investments.
Foster workplace innovation through curiosity and hands-on experimentation.
Perfect for: Forward-thinking organisations ready to embrace change.
AI, Ethics, and the Human Touch
AI is revolutionising industries, but how do we ensure it works for us, not against us?AI, Ethics, and the Human Touch
In this thought-provoking talk, Michelle delves into the ethical considerations of AI, the importance of human-centered design, and the need for responsible innovation. She explores real-world case studies to highlight how AI can enhance, not replace human creativity and problem-solving.
Key Takeaways:
Understand the key ethical challenges of AI and their implications for businesses, education, and society.
Explore the principles of human-centered design and how they can guide responsible AI development.
Learn how to strike a balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and maintaining human touch.
Discover actionable strategies to incorporate ethical considerations into AI adoption and innovation.
Gain insights from real-world examples of AI being used responsibly to solve complex problems.
Perfect for: Business leaders, educators, and policymakers looking to navigate the ethical challenges of AI,
Video
Nanogirl, My Quest to Become a Superhero | Dr Michelle Dickinson
How to become a superhero is the story of how Dr Michelle Dickinson became a nanotechnologist and an engineer through striving to follow her dreams and reach her goals.Dr Michelle Dickinson & Astronaut Chris Hadfield
Dr Michelle Dickinson sat down with Astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield in Auckland at the IBM Think New Zealand event to ask him some questions from young New Zealanders about space and science. She then gave him him his first feijoa experience and the results were delightful!Dr Michelle Dickinson on Curiosity | Saxton Speakers
Join Dr Michelle Dickinson in this captivating and playful exploration of curiosity and innovation, as she demonstrates the power of asking the right questions and breaking free from conventional thinking. Michelle engages her audience in interactive games that reveal how we are conditioned by our education system to prioritise knowing the right answers over embracing the freedom of curiosity. Through storytelling and real-life examples, she explains why innovation thrives when we let go of the need to have all the answers and instead, embrace a mindset of exploration.Breaking it down - changing climate with Professor Tim Naish | Dr Michelle Dickinson
In this snippet from Breaking It Down with Dr Michelle Dickinson, Michelle interviews Professor Tim Naish Director of the Antarctic Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington about our changing climate and what we can do.COVID-19 and the Vaccine
Evolving With AI | Dr Michelle Dickinson | Saxton Speakers
Explore how AI can bring creativity and humour into our daily lives with Dr Michelle Dickinson. In this talk, she shares her unique perspective on engaging with AI technology, from playful applications like a “virtual AI husband” to practical uses such as creating meals from leftovers. Through her stories, Michelle explains AI's potential to streamline tasks while showing where human judgement remains crucial, offering a balanced view of how AI complements our lives.Audio
Dr Michelle Dickinson received overwhelmingly positive feedback for her energetic and engaging presentation style. Attendees appreciated her "out of the box" approach, particularly regarding ... keep reading Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
Michelle was brilliant! She adapted her content to suit our audience and was a very dynamic and engaging speaker. She was the absolute highlight of our conference.
Michelle has such a warm and engaging style, our audience was captivated for the full hour and would have happily continued for another hour!
Michelle is an inspiration and has a way of taking complex concepts and communicating them in memorable and approachable ways. Michelle is an incredible person who will reframe your understand of the world and change the way that you think about what's possible.
We have tried for a few years to get Dr Michelle Dickinson, the wait was worth it. She was exceptional and the team really enjoyed the presentation alongside her husband Joe Davis. Great team work, highly rated.
The best keynote speaker I personally have seen in 10 years. Michelle was engaging, funny, easy to listen to and an all round lovely person. The delegates have not stopped talking about how excellent her presentation was.
Michelle is a pleasure to work with. This is the second time she has been involved in an Auckland Conversations that I was working on and it was such a smooth process. She knew just exactly what we needed to tie the discussion back to local government elections and I think she was the perfect person to MC this event.
Michelle was fantastic. A true professional. Her content was engaging, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. She adapted her presentation to our audience and was enthusiastic and authentic, particularly so in the Q&A section.
