FameLab® is an International Science Communications Competition initiated by Cheltenham Science Festival and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) in the UK in 2004.
FameLab® aims at:
1. Encouraging young scientists to find their voices and to communicate with the wider public in an open, inspiring
and interactive way
2. Stimulating younger generations to consider a career in science and science communications
3. Promoting science as part of popular culture.
Why is FameLab® in Egypt?
The competition was introduced to Egypt in 2009 in support of the government’s efforts to advance science and to build a culture that understands and supports the positive role science plays in the economic and social well-being.
FameLab® Egypt was introduced for the first time in the Middle East and Africa by the British Council and the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Programme. This year the competition will be organized jointly with the Ministry of Scientific Research.
A glimpse about the FameLab® Competition:
Contestants: Young Egyptian Scientists and Science Students from 18 – 40 years old working or studying basic, life or engineering sciences.
National Competition: 4 local heats will take place in different areas in Egypt, like Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut and Ismailia, to select 10 – 12 winners who will compete in the Final Competition to be held in Cairo in April Nature of Competition: Contestants 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, but also engaging to a non-scientific audience.
FameLab® is similar to TV programmes like Pop Idol – where each competitor has just three minutes to prove him/herself to a panel of expert judges, with only the best going forward to the next round.
Judging Process: The contestants will be judged on the content and clarity of their performance about any scientific topic as well as on their charisma on stage.
Jury: Distinguished panel of 3-4 judges from relevant fields of expertise (science, communications and marketing).
Prizes: The 10-12 finalists from the heats will receive valuable prizes. First prize winner will be fully sponsored to travel and represent Egypt at the International Competition to be held during the Cheltenham Science Festival in the United Kingdom in June 2016.
The National Winner of 2014, Ahmed Badr, represented Egypt in the semi-finals held in the UK. Also Rana Mokhles represented Egypt in the semi-finals last year 2013. Ramy Kotb, the Winner of 2012, made it through the semi-finals held at the UK to the finals to be among the top 10. The two Egyptian Winners of 2010, Hazem Shoeirah & of 2011, Mahmoud Abou Khedr were ranked third in the International Competition for the two consecutive years.