Famelab

FameLab is an exciting competition to find the new voices of science (20 to 35 years old) who can inspire and excite public imagination with a vision of science in the 21st century. The competition format is very much alike popular reality shows on TV but just better. Contestants, armed with only their wits and the props they can carry on stage, have just three minutes to charm the audience and jury with clear scientific content. Presentations are judged according to FameLab’s golden rule of the three Cs: Content, Clarity and Charisma. 

To date, over 700 scientists and engineers have taken part in the UK competition. Globally more than 4,700 competitors have taken part in the FameLab International programme. It is open to anyone working in or studying science, technology, engineering, medicine or maths.  High profile partners around the world include NASA, CERN, Ministries of Education, science centres and leading local universities. 

This year's competition will be better than ever, and some key dates to watch out for are the FameLab International semi-finals on 6 June and the FameLab International Final on 7 June. As with last year, the 2013 FameLab International Final will be broadcast on the internet through a live stream.

Communicating science accessibly and attractively to a non-scientific audience is an ever-growing priority for researchers worldwide. It can help dispel the myth that scientists are "geeks in white lab. coats", inform the public of the facts and uses of technology, and justify the investment of public money into research. FameLab provides a fun platform for the public engagement of science, helps build essential communicationl skills in young scientists.

The 2012 FameLab UK Final was held at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival on June 15th, 2012.

Watch the 2012 UK Grand Finale winner, Dr. Andrew Steele below. You can watch more FameLab videos on the YouTube channel using the link to the right. 

The UK Grand Final 2012 (Wednesday, 21 March, 19:00 GMT) occurred at the Royal Institution and was hosted by Quentin Cooper, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Material World. Dr. Andrew Steele, a physicist form the University of Oxford impressed the judges with his pitch on quantum mechanics in just 3 minutes and was named the UK winner of Famelab 2012. He received £1000 for himself and up to £750 to spend on a science communication activity, as well as a place in the FameLab International Final. Find out more about the competition here (link navigates from current page).