The search for new science communicators continues over Christmas

Please note, this page has been archived and is no longer being updated.

How do cabbages keep warm over Christmas? What are the mathematics of snowflakes? What type of supernova was the Star of Bethlehem?

FameLab Flyer

As the festive season fast approaches FameLab organisers at Swansea University are continuing their search to find people in Wales who can answer questions just like these to be the best new voice in science communication.

Regional heats of FameLab the UK’s biggest competition to discover new talent to engage the public in Science and Engineering are being organised in Swansea and Cardiff by Swansea University, Cardiff Science Festival and Cheltenham Festivals.  

Contestants will have just three minutes to pitch a concept in science, technology, engineering or maths to the panel of judges, who will assess the finalists’ presentations on three qualities: content, clarity and charisma.

The competition is open to anyone aged over 21 and is currently working in science, technology, engineering, or maths who can explain a science or engineering concept in an engaging way to non-scientists.

Contestants should register for the regional heats which will be:

Cardiff –   Gwdihw Cafe Bar, Thursday 15 January 2015, 7.30pm

Swansea - Dylan Thomas Centre, Wednesday 28 January 2015, 7.30pm as part of the Swansea Science Cafe

The winners of these will battle will then for a place in the Regional Finals at Techniquest’s After Hours event in Cardiff on Thursday 26th February 2015 and the winner of this round will get the chance to take part in a weekend Masterclass led by experts in media and communication skills, before vying for the title of FameLab UK champion at the National Final 22 April 2015 at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London.

The lucky FameLab UK winner will then have the chance to take home £1,750 to further their career. The winner will also go on to participate in the International Final at the Cheltenham Science Festival on 2-7 June 2015.

FameLab judge, Dr Richard Johnston of Swansea University said: “I hope that that the next generation of scientists will make it their New Year’s resolution to address great scientific challenges and communicate what they do to the broader non-scientific community.  I want people who work or study in STEM in Wales to be inspired to sign up to FameLab and I hope that, in 2015, we will find the great scientific communicators of the future.’

Find more on

@FameLabUK