FameLab is a key activity in support of Qatar National Vision 2030’s aim of raising the level of participation in science and research by developing science communication skills of students and faculty in schools and universities in Qatar.
Doha: Applications for FameLab 2021 are now open and the British Council in partnership with Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education are looking for enthusiastic students and early-career researchers with a passion for public engagement to present their science work at FameLab Qatar. The winner of the adult category will go on to represent Qatar in the online international FameLab finals at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK.
FameLab is the world’s leading science communication competition. It aims to find and mentor young science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) researchers who want to share their stories with the world.
Participants of FameLab are expected to deliver an entertaining and original three-minute talk about any scientific topic without using PowerPoint or other electronic presentation tools and with limited use of props. The talk must be scientifically accurate and engaging to a non-scientific audience.
To prepare for the competition, the participants will receive online science communication skills training in Arabic and English, which will be delivered by science communication trainers and will run for a week during June 2021.
After the auditions that will take place during July 2021, 20 contestants will make it to the second stage and will be invited to attend a two-day FameLab Masterclass — an advanced science communication training course delivered by one of the leading communicators in the UK during September 2021. This course will help participants prepare for the national final that will take place online during the same month.
Sam Ayton, British Council Country Director, said : “As the British Council, we exist to bring people together and science is the embodiment of international collaboration at its very best. You only have to look at the UK’s great research universities to find talent and commitment from all over the world working together in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
While FameLab allows us to ignite conversations around science, it is the skills of science communication that we aim to nurture and advance each year. More than ever we need scientists who can communicate accessibly and attractively — people who can take complex ideas and make them simple and compelling for all. We are delighted to be working with our partners QNRF and the MoEHE to help young scientists in Qatar develop these skills.”
Dr. Abdul Sattar Al Taie, QNRF Executive Director, said, “Competitions like the FameLab not only help put Qatar on the global map of scientific research and innovation but also provide an opportunity for our talented students and young researchers to pursue their scientific passion and build their skills through focused training and public engagement opportunities. The performance of Qatari finalists in previous editions of FameLab has proven that the thriving research and innovation infrastructure in Qatar is producing exceptional talent, and we aim to continue on this path by offering more opportunities for new cohorts of talented scientists and researchers to raise the flag of Qatar around the world.”
FameLab empowers researchers to speak about their work, opens doors to global opportunities in science communication and provides contestants with expert training. Ahmed Al Maani, FameLab national winner for 2020 in the adult category, said on his journey,
“The FameLab experience is one of the most beautiful in my life, I made new friends, learned a plethora of unique information, and most importantly I learned a key lesson in life, which is you have to persevere and try to reach your goals. I participated for three years in a row and finally succeeded and achieved my goal of becoming the National Qatar Finalist for 2019/2020 thanks to FameLab.”
Student category national winner, Ahmed Walid said, “My FameLab journey was a war which I fought with passion not weapons. I never thought about being a FameLab winner; but my heart has always been beating with enthusiasm towards cardiology. I can now say that FameLab truly revealed my ardour.”
FameLab is a key activity in support of Qatar National Vision 2030’s aim of raising the level of participation in science and research by developing science communication skills of students and faculty in schools and universities in Qatar. The British Council and QNRF intend to build a culture that understands and supports the positive role science plays in economic and social growth, and provide a platform for students and young scientists to present and share their ideas in a clear and simple way.
