14 researchers all set for FameLab TU/e 2021
Science communication competition takes place online on Thursday April 29th.
Science communication is an art form. On Thursday April 29th, 14 young TU/e researchers will embrace this art by taking the stage for the FameLab TU/e heat 2021. FameLab is a science communication competition where contestants present a 3-minute pitch without slides, but small props are allowed. There’ll be three winners on the night – two selected by the jury, and one selected by the live audience – and they’ll represent TU/e in the national FameLab final in June. Register now for this live online event!
Accurate science communication cannot be underestimated, particularly in these Covid-19 times. During the pandemic, there has been a plethora of erroneous stories on the science of the virus with reputable scientists and science communicators coming forward to help dispel some of these misleading stories for the public. The need for effective science communication has never been so important.
FameLab is a science communication competition that encourages young researchers to engage with science communication early in their scientific careers. The premise is simple: a 3-minute pitch on a scientific topic, no slides, and an optional prop.
This year, TU/e is very much in the FameLab spirit. On June 1st, we will host the national FameLab final, but first there’s the small matter of the FameLab TU/e heat on April 29th.
Be clear and engaging
FameLab host Barry Fitzgerald is looking forward to the online competition: “This year, we received a record number of entries, and the standard is very high. 14 finalists will present on topics ranging from drones to renewable energy, and new materials to biomedical technologies. Their aim is to be clear and engaging, while also being scientifically accurate. In this lustrum year with the theme ‘Heroes like you’, we are looking for the future heroes of science communication.”
You can register to attend the live online Zoom event here, which will start at 19.30 on Thursday April 29th. You can also find a list of all the contestants here.
Ready to the impressed!
Of course, with any competition, there’s a jury. Returning to the jury from last year’s FameLab TU/e are TU/e physicist Kees Storm, and science editor from the radio station BNR Karlijn Meinders.
And they’re joined by last year’s FameLab TU/e winner Sophia Shanko, who is excited about what’s to come: “I am very curious to see how the contestants will explain their projects in a captivating, yet easy-to-understand way. I’m excited to see the creativity and ready to be impressed!”
Karlijn Meinders has fond memories of being part of the jury last year and is looking forward to this year’s event: “It was such a great event for everybody. I remember it took place during the early days of the first lockdown, when everyone was just getting into the online environment. Now it’s a part of everyday life. Nevertheless, it didn’t affect the quality of the pitches, and I’m super-excited to hear this year’s pitches!”
Kees Storm recognizes that FameLab is an important science communication event: “Scientists need to clearly communicate their work to their colleagues and to society at large. In the first case, it’s about informing your peers about your advancements in the hope that they might also join and help your cause. In the second case, it’s about communicating scientific findings in a transparent manner to the public, particularly when society has invested so much in scientific research. And for this year’s event I’m looking forward to learning something new!”
Register to attend
A quick reminder of the registration details for the online FameLab final.
You can register to attend the live online Zoom event here, with the webinar starting at19.30.
You can also attend the event by going to zoom.us/join and enter the Meeting ID number: 870 3481 3302.