FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FameLab - a national competition to discover the new faces of UK science launched today in London (Tuesday 8 November 2005). The competition -dubbed the science world's equivalent of Pop Idol - is the brainchild of the Cheltenham Science Festival and NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) and supported by Pfizer, The Daily Telegraph, Research Councils UK, The British Council and Channel 4.
Now in its second year, FameLab encourages scientists to inspire and excite public imagination with a vision of science in the 21st century. At regional auditions in Spring 2006 scientists will have just 3 minutes to prove to a panel of expert judges they've got what it takes to bring science alive on TV. Ten finalists selected at the heats will go on to compete in the final at the Cheltenham Science Festival. The overall winner of FameLab 2006 will walk away with �£2,000, the opportunity to work with a TV producer and pitch their ideas to Channel 4, and a tour of events.
Speaking at the launch Kathy Sykes, Cheltenham Science Festival Director said she was overwhelmed by the success of FameLab at identifying talented communicators. "There is a huge public appetite for science, driven more by curiosity, rather than fear and suspicion and this has been confirmed by the MORI poll commissioned by NESTA and released today. FameLab addresses the public's desire for clear, concise and accurate information on science both directly through identifying talent, and indirectly by building bridges between the public, the media and science."
In 2005 FameLab saw over 300 scientists take part. At the Cheltenham Science Festival final in June, Dr Mark Lewney's, 'electrifying' performance on the physics of music, complete with electric guitar riffs won over the judges and the audience and saw him the first ever winner of FameLab. Mark received �£2,000 and has since embarked on a series of events, and media appearances including a project in development with Channel 4. After performing at the launch Mark said of FameLab. "It opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. I realized I just needed to get off my backside and have a go, from talking to all kinds of audiences, to writing, presenting and collaboration. Nobody was more surprised than me at getting through, let alone winning! But even if I'd not got past the first round I'd try it again in a shot."
At the launch Jonathan Kestenbaum, NESTA's new CEO said: "FameLab is a great vehicle for enhancing awareness of innovations in science by identifying a crop of fresh, new talented science communicators who can bridge the divide between the science community and the public in dynamic and imaginative ways."
Although he could not be present at the launch Sir David Attenborough said, "We live in a scientific age and conveying what makes society tick today and likely to do so tomorrow, is of crucial importance." Sir David was nominated as the public's most popular science presenter in the MORI poll commissioned by NESTA.
Ends
For further information and images contact:
Sallie Robins
FameLab
020 7249 4858
07733 330344
sr@srPR.net
Hannah Daws
NESTA (MORI Poll)
020 7645 9534
07973 701337
hannah.daws@nesta.org.uk
Ian George
Cheltenham Science Festival
01242 775851
ian.george@cheltenham.gov.uk
Notes for Editors
FameLab - FameLab is a registered trademark of Cheltenham Arts Festivals Limited, charity no 251765
FameLab entrants must be at least 21 years old and WORKING IN SCIENCE. This includes private and public sector employees, technicians and anyone working in the fields of science, technology, engineering or maths. Entrants do not need to apply before the day of audition but are encouraged to register their interest at www.famelab.org to receive updates and information. Regional auditions will be held as follows:
Saturday 11 March 2006 Live Science Centre, Newcastle
Sunday 19 March 2006, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
Sunday 26 March 2006, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
Saturday 1 April 2006, Dana Centre, London
Saturday 22 April 2006, W5, Belfast
Final to be held at the Cheltenham Science Festival, Cheltenham 7 - 11 June 2006 (date tbc).
For full eligibility and competition details see www.famelab.org
Cheltenham Science Festival
Cheltenham Science Festival offers both a celebration and critical exploration of science. Using hallmarks of quality, accessibility, debate and enjoyment, the Festival presents scientific issues in a challenging and exciting environment, using a range of innovative event formats. The Festival seeks to respond to public interest in scientific issues and to create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to become more informed and to participate in dialogue and debate. Over the last four years the Festival has gained the reputation for nurturing talent in science communication, offering new opportunities for people from different backgrounds to engage different audiences in science.
NESTA
NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, is working to increase the UK’s capacity for innovation. We invest in all stages of the innovation process, backing new ideas and funding new ventures that stimulate entrepreneurship. For more information visit www.nesta.org.uk
Pfizer
For over 150 years we have been producing medicines that make a difference to patients lives, to their families and to society. We rely on the creativity and innovation of the some 6,500 people we employ in the UK to convert basic science into novel and useful medicines. We support FameLab because communication is at the heart of scientific progress; particularly communication between scientist and non-scientist. FameLab seeks out, trains and rewards new science communicators and recognises the importance of engaging a wider public in science and its application.
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is Britain's best-selling quality daily newspaper. Every Tuesday our dedicated science page brings you the latest discoveries and phenomena from the world of science. As well as our main feature, on anything from cosmology to marine biology, mathematics or psychology, there is also Professor Steve Jones's weekly "View from the Lab" where he explains complex scientific ideas in an entertaining and accessible style.
All of our science coverage can also be found on www.connected.telegraph.co.uk and FameLab coverage is on www.telegraph.co.uk/famelab
Channel 4
Channel 4 has engaged a new audience with innovative science programming, presented by extraordinary people. Recent highlights include Anatomy for Beginners, What We Still Don't Know and Alien Worlds." says Louisa Bolch, Science Editor at Channel 4. "We are looking for people with real passion, people with charisma, presence and expert knowledge, who can make us open our eyes and see the world in a new way. We're looking forward to getting to grips with Britain's next generation of science communicators."
Research Councils UK
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic partnership through which the UK's eight Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support. The Research Councils are the main public investors in fundamental research in the UK with interests ranging from arts and humanities, bio-medicine and particle physics to the environment, engineering and economic research. Individually and collectively, the Research Councils support and promote a free flow of authoritative information and exchange of views between scientists, members of the public and policy-makers in the field of science.
The British Council
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations, operating independently from the UK Government. The British Council's science programme supports scientific collaboration through the exchange of ideas and knowledge, and by building relationships between young scientists around the world. Through its science and society projects, it stimulates debate about the impacts of science on people's lives and awareness and appreciation of the UK with wider international audiences.
© Cheltenham Festivals 2006/7