So, what’s FameLab really like?

Let me take you behind the scenes. 

You know that really exciting feeling of watching something grow over time? Like the puzzle on your coffee table, as it gets closer and closer to the ridiculously complex picture on the box? Or the whatsits that start doing whatever you had been stressing they’d never do in that Petrie dish in your lab? That feeling. In 2023, I had an experience like that watching 12 scientists grow in ways they hadn’t envisaged at all. 

Along with around 300 people, I took my seat at the 2023 FameLab Australia Final. I’d spent the previous 3 days with the finalists at the Forrest Research Foundation, where our wide range of intensive science communication workshops were held. And some not so intensive ones, like the learning-to-think-on-your-feet improv trainer who had everyone rolling on the floor laughing. Literally.  

It was here, too, that the Hunger Games running joke was never far from the surface: that the 12 FameLab “Tributes” had gathered in Perth from their “Districts” across Australia. 

The intensive workshop - and the more fun side of improv training, learning to think on your feet, and laugh on the ground. Top right: FameLab “Tributes” from NSW, Victoria, SA, WA and Tasmania “Districts” give the Hunger Games three-finger salute at Forrest Research Foundation, Perth. 

But I knew the Final wouldn’t be a time for laughing. There’d be nerves. After all, public speaking is challenging, and on top of that, FameLab is a competition. Plus, there’s the winner’s prize of an overseas trip to the UK at stake. Fortunately, part of their training was aimed dealing with the heart-racing, palms-sweating, mouth-drying angst many people feel as they see an audience staring back at them. 

As soon as the first presenter started, I learned something new: what it meant to feel dumbstruck. I thought back to when I first saw the 2023 participants in their application videos at the start of the program - the start of their journey. But that was before their masterclass science communication training. Before their media training. Before their interview training. Before all the workshops they’d just been through in Perth. And, of course, before their dealing-with-nerves training. 

And wow. How they had progressed! FameLab aims to promote excellence in science communication for early STEM researchers in universities and industry – and here was the evidence of it working. Spectacularly. 

12 brilliant scientists had transformed into disarmingly charismatic storytellers, who now had the ability to turn jargon-laden science research into captivating, frequently humorous explanations that made their passion for pursuing new solutions palpable. Every single presentation was as inspiring as it was educational. As entertaining as it was informative. As fun as it was professional. All done within their maximum allowed three minutes. 

I wasn’t alone in my reaction. As  Hon. Stephen Dawson MLC (Western Australia's Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Science; Medical Research; Minister assisting the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade) said: “The FameLab program’s ability to develop communication skills for early career researchers and translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives is invaluable. These skills not only contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge but also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between researchers and the wider community …” 

As we launch FameLab 2024 and invite another group of early career researchers from around the country to apply, I can’t help but think ahead to 26 September 2024 - the date of the Final a few months from now, when I will once again take my seat amongst the audience, and when I will once again see 12 finalists bring the audience along on an infotainment journey into their world of science. 

The Foundation for the WA Museum works to advance the WA Museum’s impact in our community. Now, there’s no doubting FameLab has the ability to change lives: 2 of the 12 finalists from 2023 have left the academic world to focus on their newfound passion: science communication. A massive gain for science communication in Australia! 

So … know an early career researcher who’d want to come on this transformative science communication journey? If you do, share this story with them. They’ll thank you later! 

Applications are now open for FameLab 2024. For more information, you can reach me at wlubbe@fwam.com.au or on 0424046715. 


Wayne Lubbe, FameLab Australia Project Manager

Announcement of Olivia Carroll as the FameLab Australia winner 2023.