FameLab, the scientific communication talent show dedicated to young researchers under 35, arrives in Ferrara for the first time.
Created in 2005 by the Cheltenham Science Festival, it now involves over 30 countries around the world and has taken place in Italy since 2012 thanks to the collaboration between Psiquadro, national coordinator, and British Council Italia, the British cultural body which promoted its diffusion to global level.
The Ferrara edition, coordinated by the University of Ferrara, is organized in collaboration with Laboratorio Aperto di Ferrara (Ex-Teatro Verdi), the Municipality of Ferrara and the Ecosister Foundation.
Aspiring popularizers will compete on May 10th at the Laboratorio Aperto in Ferrara (via Castelnuovo, 10). The pre-selection is scheduled for 9.30 am and the final, for those who have passed the pre-selection, at 8.30 pm.
The talks will be judged by a jury made up of experts in the field of communication, of science and the performing arts.
In just three minutes, candidates will be able to test their ability to transform research into a story, involving and entertaining judges and the public, without the aid of slides or films and trying to earn the podium.
The first two classified will be able to access a masterclass in science communication, in preparation for the national final, scheduled between September and October and the winner of FameLab Italia 2024 will have access to the final of the FameLab International competition which will be held in November.
Like Ferrara, other Italian cities are involved in local selections: Ancona, Bari, Brescia, Camerino, Catania, Cosenza, Genoa, Perugia, Rome, Turin and Trieste.
“We are happy that FameLab is finally stopping in Ferrara – says Unife rector Laura Ramaciotti -. Thanks to its extremely current and modern format, many people can discover the research excellence of our universities and reference bodies. There are increasingly frequent moments in which researchers feel the need to share their knowledge with people outside the field, moments that represent a cultural and social enrichment for our society. Doing research means passion and the ability to talk about it has now become a characterizing element in the researcher’s career, with a view to bringing science closer to society so that the latter can fully reap the benefits”.
“FameLab uses the talent show format that has been popular for several years now, to put the word at the center, which becomes the true protagonist of the event – comments Marco Bresadola, delegate to the Unife Public Engagement -. Candidates must make an important effort of synthesis, trying to calibrate the information and brevity of the content to maximize communicative effectiveness. For those who have the opportunity to represent Ferrara in the national competition it will also be a springboard into a broader context, with the promotion of discussion and sharing of skills”.
