Six countries across the world will be the first to compete in the new format of FameLab International, gathering on the virtual stage to vie for the title of world’s best science communicator. 

FameLab is the largest public-facing science communication competition and training programme in the world. Early-career researchers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths will entertain a global online audience with three-minute presentations, armed only with their wits and a few simple props. The result is an engaging and enlightening way to encourage curiosity and expand the public understanding of scientific topics and research. 

Forming a select group of international researchers competing for the title of FameLab International champion are: 

• Eliška Jandová from the Czech Republic, studying cell free DNA in colorectal cancer 

• Christian Scharun from Germany, working on climate research, physics and the emissions of greenhouse gases and their contribution to global warming 

• Valentina Vavassori from Italy working in gene therapy and genome editing 

• Nehemiah Latolla from South Africa working in phytochemistry and its application in community health and wellbeing 

• Natascha Hedrich from Switzerland working in physics 

• Nuti Hutasingh from Thailand working in food science and technology 

UK public engagement specialist Dr Jamie Gallagher will compere the Final and announce the winners live. During the Final the audience can interact on the live webchat and cast their vote at the end of the competition. Jamie Gallagher said: “It’s going to be a whole selection box of science with every type and topic covered. Some of the best science communicators from around the world will share some amazing, surprising and unbelievable science.” 

Head of Programming at Cheltenham Science Festival Dr Marieke Navin commented: “Over the years, FameLab has built trust between scientists, researchers and the public, and has been an incredible stepping-stone for early-career scientists. The international FameLab network has strengthened relationships within the scientific community around the world.” 

Judges are: Adrian Fenton from the British Council; Emer Maguire, science communicator and previous FameLab UK Champion; and Katrien Kolenberg, Professor of Science Communication & Outreach, KU Leuven Belgium. 

The winner crowned FameLab International Champion 2022 will receive a trophy, certificate and a Cheltenham Science Festivals experience inclusive of UK travel, accommodation, tickets to events and networking opportunities with international scientists, engineers and researchers. 

Although the partnership with the British Council has come to an end, Cheltenham Festivals is delighted to continue FameLab with international partners Charles University in Prague, Bielefeld Marketing in Germany; Psiquadro in Italy, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) - a business unit of the National Research Foundation and Jive Media Africa in South Africa, the Life Science Zurich, BioScience Network Lausanne and Graduate Center University of Basel and The National Science Museum of Thailand.