Forrest Research Foundation has renewed its partnership with the Foundation for the WA Museum to support the science communication competition FameLab Australia in 2024.
After partnering with the Foundation for the WA Museum for the first time in 2023 to help deliver an immersive 3-day science communication experience for 12 national FameLab finalists in Perth, Forrest Research Foundation’s home at Forrest Hall will again host the FameLab finalists in 2024.
Prof. James Arvanitakis, Director of the Forrest Research Foundation commented, “It is with great excitement that the Forrest Research Foundation extends our partnership with FameLab. It is a natural partnership for us as we are committed to bringing world leading researchers to Perth to research at our five universities and ensure Western Australia continues to grow as a global research, knowledge and creative hub.”
“FameLab is a truly transformational program as early career scientists share their cutting-edge research in ways that are accessible to all of us, and we have a chance to discover how this work can solve some of the world’s grand challenges.”
Coralie Bishop, the Foundation for the WA Museum’s CEO added, “The FameLab science communication training program and competition was a resounding success last year. We know the participants had an outstanding learning experience throughout the year, and the live Final was a fantastic – and entertaining - opportunity for the general public to hear about truly cutting-edge research.”
“We look forward to nurturing a new cohort of early career researchers this year, and are very grateful that thanks to the Forrest Research Foundation, they, too, will be able to live and learn at Forrest Hall when they converge on Perth this September.”
FameLab is the world’s leading science communication competition created by Cheltenham Festivals, UK. Since 2007 the competition has gone global in over 35 countries, with more than 40,000 young scientists participating to date. FameLab is recognised as being a powerful tool in identifying and nurturing new voices of science, with previous alumni developing careers in science communication.
The Foundation for the Western Australian Museum is the producer of FameLab Australia. The focus of FameLab Australia is to promote excellence in science communication for early career STEM researchers in universities and industry. Participants undergo an in-depth science communication training program, and learn to communicate their science research in just three minutes.
In 2023, 76 applicants from across Australia received science communication training, with 48 scientists shortlisted to compete in 4 regional, online Semi-finals.12 finalists were selected to receive further masterclass training and travel to Perth for an immersive, intensive multi-day science communication workshop and the live Final at WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Olivia Carroll, an immunologist and microbiologist representing the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute, was named the 2023 Australian FameLab winner and competed in the online FameLab International Final in November 2023.
Applications for FameLab Australia 2024 are now open. More information is available at https://www.fwam.com.au/the-foundation-s-impact/education-learning-and-outreach/famelab-apply
The Foundation for the WA Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of Cheltenham Festivals and the FameLab Australia partners Curtin University, Murdoch University, Western Australian Museum, Forrest Research Foundation and Comm-it Communication Solutions with Science.
