FameLab, the national competition to uncover the next science celebrity is being launched today in London. For the second year running FameLab judges, who last year included broadcaster Adam Hart-Davis, renowned fertility expert Lord Robert Winston and national TV science correspondent Tom Clarke, are inviting wannabe science presenters to prove that they have the enthusiasm to popularise science to the general public.
The competition, open to anyone over 21 years of age working in science, will whittle down hopefuls in a series of regional heats being held in London, Newcastle, Swansea, Edinburgh and Belfast. During the heats entrants can turn up and talk for 3 minutes in front of the judges in a Pop Idol-style audition. Those who are considered good enough for a shot at the top prize of £2,000 and a Development Deal with Channel 4 are invited back in front of the judges and a public audience later in the day. Two winners will be selected from each heat to go forward to the final at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. All the finalists will have the opportunity to work with experts before the final to develop their media and presentation skills.
The competition is organised by the Cheltenham Science Festival and NESTA (The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts). For the first time FameLab sponsors include Research Councils UK, the partnership of the UK’s eight Research Councils. Together the Research Councils are responsible for managing £2.4 billion of science funding every year. Pfizer, The Daily Telegraph and Channel 4 are also supporting FameLab.
Professor Ian Diamond, Chairman of Research Councils UK, is backing the competition: "FameLab is the perfect opportunity for anyone working in science who wants to transmit their enthusiasm to the public. All scientists should have the opportunity to talk about their science with the public. FameLab is a great opportunity to showcase some of the excellent scientific talent in the UK."
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Contact
FameLab
Sallie Robins, srPR
Tel: 020 7249 4858
Mob: 07733 330344
Research Councils UK
Matt Goode, Media Officer
Tel: 01793 413299
Notes for Editors
To enter FameLab you must be at least 21 years old and working in science. This includes private and public sector employees, technicians and anyone working in the fields of science, technology, engineering or maths. The competition aims to provide new opportunities for scientists to develop their skills as communicators.
To enter just turn up at one of the five regional auditions and present any scientific topic to the panel of judges. You do not need to apply before the day of the audition, but are strongly encouraged to register for email updates which will keep you informed about the competition and give you up to date details on the auditions. See the FameLab website for information.
Entrants will be given a maximum of 3 minutes in which to impress the judges. They are looking for exciting and engaging talks that can be understood by a general public adult audience. Props are allowed but there is no set-up time or assistance; Powerpoints are not permitted.
Successful contestants will go through to the afternoon round to present a different 5 minute talk. A public audience will be present for this second round.
The Judges will be able to question entrants after each presentation and will also give feedback where possible.
Two finalists from each audition will be chosen to go through to the final at Cheltenham Science Festival in June 2006. Here finalists will be asked to give a 5 minute presentation of a contemporary science topic that is different from previous auditions. The judges will be able to ask questions and give feedback. An audience will be present who will be involved in the selection process.
Famelab is a registered trademark of Cheltenham Arts Festivals Limited, charity no 251765
About Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the partnership between the UK's eight Research Councils. Through RCUK, the Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support. The Research Councils are independent non-departmental public bodies, funded by the Science Budget through the Office of Science and Technology.
RCUK was created to increase the collective visibility, leadership and policy influence of the Research Councils; to stimulate multi-disciplinary research that encourages collaboration; to provide a single focus for collective dialogue with stakeholders and to encourage greater harmonisation of internal operations.
The partnership is led by the RCUK Executive Group, which meets monthly and comprises the chief executives of the eight Research Councils. The Group is currently chaired by Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the Economic and Social Research Council.
The eight UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Particle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC).
About FameLab supporters
Cheltenham Science Festival
"Cheltenham Science Festival offers both a celebration and critical exploration of science. Using hallmarks of quality, accessibility, debate and enjoyment, the Festival presents scientific issues in a challenging and exciting environment, using a range of innovative event formats. The Festival seeks to respond to public interest in scientific issues and to create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to become more informed and to participate in dialogue and debate. Over the last four years the Festival has gained the reputation for nurturing talent in science communication, offering new opportunities for people from different backgrounds to engage different audiences in science."
NESTA
"NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is a non-departmental public body (NDPB) investing in innovators and working to improve the climate for creativity in the UK. Established in 1998 and set up with an endowment from the National Lottery (£200 million, raised in 2003 to £250 million), NESTA invests the interest to support UK innovation. Since May 2000, when the programmes first opened, NESTA has spent over £73 million (to March 2005) on programmes supporting 712 awards. Visit the NESTA website to find out more."
Pfizer
"For over 150 years we have been producing medicines that make a difference to patients' lives, to their families and to society. We rely on the creativity and innovation of the some 6,500 people we employ in the UK to convert basic science into novel and useful medicines. We support FameLab because communication is at the heart of scientific progress; particularly communication between scientist and non-scientist. FameLab seeks out, trains and rewards new science communicators and recognises the importance of engaging a wider public in science and its application."
The Daily Telegraph
"The Daily Telegraph is Britain's best-selling quality daily newspaper. Every Tuesday our dedicated science page brings you the latest discoveries and phenomena from the world of science. As well as our main feature, on anything from cosmology to marine biology, mathematics or psychology, there is also Professor Steve Jones's weekly "View from the Lab" where he explains complex scientific ideas in an entertaining and accessible style.
Channel 4
"Channel 4 has engaged a new audience with innovative science programming, presented by extraordinary people. "Recent highlights include Anatomy for Beginners, What We Still Don't Know and Alien Worlds." says Louisa Bolch, Science Editor at Channel 4. "We are looking for people with real passion, people with charisma, presence and expert knowledge, who can make us open our eyes and see the world in a new way. We're looking forward to getting to grips with Britain's next generation of science communicators." "