Last updated September 3, 2019 at 12:11 pm
FameLab is the world’s leading science communication competition, created by Cheltenham Festivals and co-produced by the British Council.
L-R: 2018 winner Vanessa Pirotta, WA chief scientist Lyn Beazley, radio presenter Robyn Williams
Since coming to Australia in 2014, over 200 early-career researchers have gone through FameLab’s expert training and presented their research on stage, entertaining thousands with their fascinating stories of science.
The competition offers comprehensive sci-comm training and access to a global network of like-minded peers. What’s more, if you’re selected as the winner of FameLab Australia, you could win $1,000 and find yourself travelling to the UK to represent Australia at the FameLab International finals!
Applications close on 15 February 2019. Find out more at www.fwam.com.au/project/famelab
Success Story: 2018 winner FameLab Australia & International Runner-Up Vanessa Pirotta
After beating off competition from thousands of applicants across over 30 countries, marine biologist, Vanessa Pirotta, from Macquarie University Marine Predator Research Group, whose brilliant tale of using drones to collect whale snot was declared joint runner-up of FameLab International 2018.
She fascinated the crowds at the Cheltenham Science Festival with her buzzy three minute presentation about her research project that investigates use of drones to collect health information from free swimming whales. Collection of whale blow is done via a custom-built drone. Vanessa’s research is transforming the way scientists collect health information from whales.
Vanessa has since gone on to communicate her research to expert and general audiences, including through multiple media interviews and an invitation to participate in yet to be released television media. Vanessa has since built a high profile on social media as a passionate advocate for the power of science communication
“My FameLab journey has been wonderful and exciting. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting other contestants from all around the world. I am truly honoured to have represented Australia and to have won International Runner-Up.”
Watch her winning national performance here.
If, like Vanessa, you’re passionate about science and think you can explain your research to a general audience in just three minutes, FameLab needs YOU!
APPLY NOW FOR FAMELAB 2019
Australia’s Science Channel is proud to be the official media partner for FameLab Australia 2019.
