Talk Overview

Aisling's TEDx talk begins with a vivid moment many women will recognise: the fear of feeling unsafe at night. That experience became the spark for Walkie Talkie Girlies (WTG), a society she co-founded to create a safe space for people to exercise, socialise and get outdoors. 

Aisling explores how this small act of walking together quickly grew into a recognised student movement, offering not only safety in numbers but also a sense of community. The talk then turns to Project Pink, WTG's flagship campaign, which saw Belfast City Hall and Queen’s University lit pink in solidarity with victims of violence against women and girls. With over 600 participants, support from local leaders, and national media coverage, it demonstrated the power of grassroots activism.  Ultimately, her talk shows how collective steps, however small, can spark discussion, and transform fear into hope. 

About the Speaker

Aisling Cannon is currently completing an LLM in International Human Rights Law at Queen’s. Originally from Donegal, Aisling moved to Belfast in 2022 to study at Queen’s University and graduated with an LLB in Law July this year. 

She first became interested in law and human rights after reading Malala Yousafzai’s biography at fifteen years old. Her bravery in fighting for what she believed in inspired Aisling to study law and to advocate for change. Aisling co-founded the Walkie Talkie Girlies Society, to create a safe space for people to exercise, socialise and get outdoors. She has been Chairperson of the society since its establishment in November 2023 and couldn’t be prouder of how much the society has grown in the past few years. 

Alongside her studies, she has also had the chance to work at the Queen’s Students’ Union as a receptionist, a peer mentor for younger law students and has spoken at events on the topics of equality and community. Aisling was selected to represent Queen’s Law School on the Irish Chief Justice Programme and spent this past summer working in Dublin for one of the Central Criminal Court judges. Outside of academics, Aisling loves music and sport, grabbing coffee with her friends and spending time back home in Donegal with her family.