FameLab, the science communication competition where young researchers pitch a scientific topic of their choice in three minutes or less, is coming back to TU/e in 2021, and in a big way! First, the online FameLab TU/e heat will take place on Thursday April 29th and there's an open call for young TU/e researchers to take part. Added to that, TU/e will also be hosting the national FameLab final on Tuesday June 1st, as part of its 65th anniversary celebrations.
Clear and engaging science communication is invaluable when it comes to communicating complex, yet significant scientific findings. It's imperative that young researchers develop and refine their communication skills to maximize the societal impact of their findings.
FameLab is an international science communication competition for young researchers organized in 31 countries. Winners of the national competitions represent their respective countries in the grand final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK
National FameLab final - Bring it on!
2021 will mark the third year that TU/e hosts a heat for FameLab. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the FameLab TU/e heat will take place online on Thursday April 29th. What's more, we will also be hosting the national FameLab final later this year.
Hosting of the National Famelab final is exciting for TU/e, a sentiment echoed by Hanneke Koppers, Director of Communication at TU/e: "Science helps us to understand the world by developing solutions to challenges, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Young scientists explaining science in an engaging way is both fun and important. At TU/e, we're delighted to host the national FameLab final in 2021 especially now that we are celebrating our 65th anniversary. Bring it on!"
FameLab - Presenting with a twist
Contestants in the online FameLab TU/e heat are required to pitch their research with a twist. First, contestants must record a pitch video that is no longer than three minutes. Second, contestants cannot use slides. Third, contestants can use an optional prop as part of their pitch, provided the prop can be easily carried on stage during a live event. Finally, contestants must present their story in English.
Two TU/e winners go to the National Final
The online FameLab heat will take place on Thursday April 29th, and the two winners from FameLab TU/e will represent TU/e in the national FameLab final. Dr. Barry Fitzgerald - Science Communication Officer at TU/e - will be hosting both the TU/e heat and the national final, and he's looking forward to the event: "FameLab is a brilliant competition for young researchers - I wish that I could take part! I can't wait to host the events and hear the inspiring scientific pitches from the contestants. And it's fantastic that TU/e will be hosting the national final during this Lustrum year!"
And if you're a young researcher and looking for encouragement to take part, just heed the words of Eriola-Sophia Shanko - PhD candidate in the department of Mechanical Engineering and winner of FameLab TU/e 2020: "FameLab was an exciting experience that challenged me in new ways, and led to both personal and academic growth. Scientific research is fascinating, but effective science communication is equally important."
How to sign up
If you are a young TU/e researcher aged between 21 and 40 years old with an interesting scientific story that you'd like to tell for FameLab TU/e 2021, you can sign up for the competition by e-mailing us at cec.evenementen@tue.nl. The closing date for entries for the competition is Friday 26th February.
For further information on FameLab TU/e 2021, check out this video introducing the competition by FameLab TU/e host Barry Fitzgerald.
