Apply for FameLab

FameLab is an international science competition that provides early career researchers with the skills they need to effectively communicate their science to the public. Applictions are now invited from researchers who wish to hone their public presentation ability and compete to represent Australia in the international final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK.

Communicating scientific research to the wider society is an ‘art’. It takes skills to be able to talk about science in a way that engages a general public audience.

5 reasons why you should be a part of FameLab

NUMBER #5: PARTY CENTRAL FOR STEM ENTHUSIASTS

At any FameLab semi-final, you will meet top researchers, science communicators, celebrity scientists such as Astroduff Alan Duffy and state government Chief Scientists. You’ll also mingle with friends of the scientific community in your town! FameLab semi-finals are a party-hub for people who love science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

NUMBER #4: NO ROOM FOR JARGON

FameLab requires you to present your research content with charisma and clarity. It’s essential that a 10 year old can understand what you are talking about. Entering FameLab encourages scientists to put a narrative to their studies and explain their findings in a compelling way. Developing your skills in storytelling will assist you to promote your work to supervisors, funders and incubators. FameLab could even help you nab that competitive grant!

NUMBER #3: ATTAIN ‘CELEB STATUS’

In the 2017 FameLab competition, the Australian winner Dr Nural Cokcetin went on to become the runner up at the Cheltenham Festival International Final. Nural has since delivered a TEDx talk, presented TV programs and featured on national radio. Other FameLab alumni continue to be science communicators worldwide. They have founded science communication establishments and remain researchers who are able to communicate effectively, securing invitations to speak in public. So if you would like to gain that Science Celeb status and become famous, this may be your chance!

NUMBER #2: VALUABLE TRAINING

Many of the ‘before and after’ videos of FameLab alumni from application to final presentation are awe-inspiring! Experienced trainers from across Australia and the UK provide bespoke coaching to participants. The winner walks away with a $1000 cash and a trip to the UK to strut your stuff on a global stage!

NUMBER #1: CREATE IMPACT

Just like Nural Cokcetin from Australia, there 30 international finalists have been able to use FameLab to launch their own reputations at home. This vibrant network of scientists and engineers engage with international audiences and also interact with each other, broadening their horizons. The FameLab experience also demonstrates how impactful and meaningful their work is to society and encourages STEM leaders of the future. Are you looking for meaning while you manually count a million samples in your lab or run hundreds of data sheets into the analytical software? Here is your chance – go on and apply for FameLab, it will be worth it!

Background

The  FameLab international science communication competition has been going for a decade in partnership with the British Council across the globle, in the USA with NASA and in Switzerland with CERN.

FameLab International runs in over 30 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa and each year provides hundreds of scientists the opportunity to share their novel research with the public.

FameLab international is the largest science communication competition in the world and more than 7000 researchers have participated in it. In Australia, FameLab has entered into its 5th year with support of the partners

Apply now

The FameLab call to entry for 2018 closes on 16 February 2018.

Semi-finals take place in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle and the national final 2018 will take place in Perth.  One winner will represent Australia at the 2018 Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK.

Guest post by Dr. Astha Singh, Communications & Science Manager at the British Council Australia.