University lands major science partnership

Released: 08.06.23

Plymouth Marjon University has been selected as one of nine regional hubs for FameLab 2023/24. This partnership is a part of the Cheltenham Festival, which brings together scientists and engineers from around the world to communicate their work with the public in an engaging and exciting way. 

FameLab UK aims to encourage scientists including social scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians to find their voices and inspire and excite the public imagination. The competition will see researchers from across the country gather in regional and national bouts, contending for the title of Britain’s best science communicator. 

As one of the organisation’s Regional Hubs, Marjon will attract participants from across the South West and support them with training and preparation before going head-to-head in their regional finals. The regional winners will go on to compete at the FameLab UK national final, hosted at the Cheltenham Science Festival 2024, and the UK winner will represent the nation at the international FameLab Final. 

"Science is more than just data and facts; it's critical to ensure a continued effort to discover and expand knowledge in a testable and systematic way.” said Caroline Westwood, Dean of the School of Spot, Exercise, and Rehabilitation at Plymouth Marjon University. “We are thrilled to be a part of FameLab's mission to empower scientists to find their voices and inspire the public imagination. We look forward to supporting our region’s researchers as they hone their skills and compete to become Britain's best science communicator." 

Plymouth Marjon University is renowned for its innovation and trailblazing initiatives in sustainability, sport, exercise, and rehabilitation, pioneering new health programmes, and working alongside the community for the public good. Becoming a Regional Hub for this distinguished competition adds to the University’s growing offer. 

“We are extremely excited to announce our new partner organisations,” said Ali Mawle, co-CEO of Cheltenham Festivals. “FameLab is the largest public-facing science communication competition and training programme in the world – and its UK component is central to our mission of developing the science communicators of the future.” 

Researchers from across the globe can apply to FameLab to be titled the World’s Best Science Communicator. In a short three-minute presentation, competitors will communicate their research to global audiences and an expert panel of judges. The winner must best demonstrate FameLab’s three C’s - Content, Clarity and Charisma. 

The nine regional hubs will host regional heats throughout 2023 and 2024 ahead of the national finals at the Cheltenham Festival in June 2024.