FameLab is a global competition to find and support the world most talented science communicators. Over the competition’s 14-year history (previously in partnership with the British Council) FameLab International engaged over 40,000 participants from 40 countries and reached an audience of millions.
Participants’ use of three-minute storytelling, humour and thought-provoking facts brought STEM research to audiences in a way that they may not have seen before. And for many participants, FameLab was their first introduction to the world of science communication and the importance of sharing their work with the public.
In the previous years, the competition’s 200 international partners - which included world-leading scientific organisations such as NASA and CERN - played a key role in the FameLab success story by lending their support, networks and expertise to help generate in-country interest and engagement. International collaboration is a key element of FameLab International, continuing to grow a community of enthusiasts for science communication, something that fits well with the principles of EURAXESS.
This year, for the first time to compete in a new format, led by the Cheltenham Festivals, 6 countries will gather on the virtual stage to complete for the world’s best science communicator. Forming a select group of international researchers competing for the title of FameLab International champion are:
Eliška Jandová from the Czech Republic, studying cell free DNA in colorectal cancer;
Christian Scharun from Germany, working on climate research, physics and the emissions of greenhouse gases and their contribution to global warming;
Valentina Vavassori from Italy working in gene therapy and genome editing;
Nehemiah Latolla from South Africa working in phytochemistry and its application in community health and wellbeing;
Natascha Hedrich from Switzerland working in physics;
Nuti Hutasingh from Thailand working in food science and technology.
Judges are:
Adrian Fenton, Manager of EURAXESS UK and British Council Senior Consultant;
Emer Maguire, Science Communicator and previous FameLab UK Champion;
Katrien Kolenberg, Professor of Science Communication & Outreach, KU Leuven Belgium.
The winner crowned FameLab International Champion 2022 will receive a trophy, certificate and a Cheltenham Science Festivals experience inclusive of UK travel, accommodation, tickets to events and networking opportunities with international scientists, engineers and researchers.
Here is the YouTube link to watch the live event on the 25 November at 10 GMT: https://www.youtube.com/user/famelab
Read more:https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/famelab/news/the-return-of-famelab-international