We're searching for the UK’s next Science Communicator!
Are you an early career scientist, social scientist, technologist, engineer or mathematician, are passionate about STEM, and would like to share your work with the world?
Then apply now to be part of FameLab UK, the largest, public facing, science communication competition and training programme in the world.
Apply for FameLab 2024
Participants will apply centrally by selecting the hub nearest to them. The East Midlands Regional Hub will then run training for all applicants in preparation to take part in the Regional Final on Thursday 21 March 2024. Regional winners go on to compete at a FameLab UK Final, hosted live at Cheltenham Science Festival.
- Ensure you understand the competition terms and conditions (you can find them all in the FameLab Participant Guide).
- Check the dates to ensure you will available to take part.
- Fill out this application form: FameLab UK 2024: Participant Application Form.
- Deadline for entries is: Friday 15th December 2023.
Apply for FameLab 2024
Why take part in FameLab?
As a participant, you will get the opportunity to access professional communications training, meet fellow scientists and become part of an alumni cohort that includes broadcasters, journalists, performers and writers, who are some of the best science communicators in the world.
FameLab UK is open to entrants aged 21 years and over, studying or working in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine or Mathematics (STEM), and based in the UK while participating.
- An opportunity to communicate your work with the public in an engaging and exciting way.
- You will receive professional training on communication and presentation skills.
- You become part of a global network of researchers who are passionate about science and what it can achieve.
- The regional winner will compete in the final at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
- The national winner will then compete in the FameLab International Final.
Key Dates
- October - December: FameLab UK applications are open.
- January - February: Applications centrally allocated by Cheltenham Festivals to East Midlands Regional Hub. Training sessions offered online to all applicants, taking place weeks commencing 5 and 12 February (dates TBC). Submit your video by 28 February. Selection process to next round.
- March - FameLab Regional Final live at Metronome Nottingham on Thursday 21 March 2024.
- May - Two-day masterclass training for regional winners hosted by Cheltenham Festivals. This is fully funded, including UK travel and accommodation.
- 4-9 June - FameLab UK Final, at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
FameLab East Midlands Final
Hosted at Metronome, Nottingham on Thursday 21st March 2024
The format of FameLab is deceptively simple; on the competition stage, participants are given just three minutes to share their scientific research or work with a general audience, armed with just simple props. This live event takes place in front of a panel of expert judges, as entrants compete for the title of the UK’s best science communicator.
Participants may only use props they carry on to the stage – and PowerPoint is not allowed! The winner is the speaker who best demonstrates FameLab’s three C’s – content, clarity, and charisma, broadly defined as follows:
- Content – Does the talk have structure and a creative narrative?
- Clarity – How does the contestant bring the topic to life and make it easily understandable?
- Charisma – How does the contestant interact with their audience (body language, eye contact, delivery?)
The panel of judges will decide on one overall winner, two runners-up, and make a “Judges’ Choice” award and an “Audience Choice” award. The winner will compete in the final at the 2024 Cheltenham Science Festival
East Midlands Regional Hub
The University of Nottingham is proud to be working in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, the University of Leicester and the University of Lincoln to develop the next generation of science and social science communicators.
Contact us for more information: BB-RandIComms@nottingham.ac.uk