Ensuring Quality

It is vital that the quality of the FameLab competition is maintained so that there is continued attraction of a high standard of entries, professional judges and positive high level media attention. FameLab prides itself on producing high quality finalists who will continue to apply themselves to their science and to their public engagement, no matter what forms that will take.

The quality of the competition is ensured through clear entry criteria, recruitment of articulate expert judges and a high standard of Masterclass training and delivery (see associated sections).

Although FameLab is a competition, it doesn’t feel like one. The atmosphere of both the national and the international final is amazing and friendly. I’ve learned a lot about research I had no idea existed, made friends all over the world and experienced one of the biggest science festivals in Europe.

Katarina Cisarova, National Winner 2017 (Switzerland)

The Contestants

From the outset, it is important to be clear about what contestants your competition is looking for. If your aim is to attract anybody and everybody to have a go, your image and publicity material need to reflect that. If you want to refine your criteria and are unlikely to choose, for example, a school teacher as your winner, it is fairer to disqualify them from entering. If candidates feel that they are being ruled out, they will quickly feel misled and cheated, and this will sour the event. Try to publicise the competition in a way that will appeal to your target entrants. Please note that full time science communicators are not eligible.

Marketing

Possible routes of advertisement for contestants can directly come through universities, related specialist industries, science festivals or through museums, government and research councils and funders. You should also use website advertisement, articles in the general and specialist media and direct email to anybody working in science, including social sciences, engineering or mathematics who might be able to encourage their students or colleagues to take part. Never underestimate the value of word-of-mouth as many entrants arise out of peer or supervisor recommendation.

Entry Routes

There are two entry routes possible for FameLab: drop-in auditions or video entry.

Recruitment

You may recruit through your contacts, or by using a booking form. See Appendix 2: Registration Form Template. This can be any information gathering format that suits you. e.g printed or digital – Word, Wufoo, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, etc. A booking form may help you determine how many drop-in or video applicants you have.

Drop-In Auditions

Letting people “just turn up” has worked for countries in the past and some strong candidates admitted that they had only heard about the competition the day before and entered on a whim. Obviously, it creates organisational challenges, especially when entrants are travelling long distances and are unable to come at the beginning of the day. If this will be an issue, the timetable of the day may need to be planned to allow for later arrivals. You can ask contestants to notify you if they know they are going to be late, and this gives you an indication of contestant numbers for later in the day. If resources allow, you will offer science communication training to all entrants, ideally before the heats but otherwise on the same day.

FameLab for me was a way how to let the world know that we as a scientists are there and that we do great things that help shape our world. With a little bit of love and understanding our science can be accessible for all of us.

Eliška Jandová, FameLab International Runner up 2022 (Czech Republic)

Video Entry

Entering FameLab by video entry has become more popular in recent years. The increased use of technology has allowed videos to be shared easily over the internet. YouTube allows set up of a designated ‘Channel’ where you can upload your videos for everyone to view. This can be helpful to allow for remote judges to view the videos. This entry route enables outreach to other areas where a local competition heat cannot be held. It removes geographical limitations.

As well as outlining how to enter by video, the guidelines for the actual video entry need to be clearly defined and should include:

■ Up to three-minutes long (content will not be judged after this time limit)

■ No editing or special effects

■ No other people or excessive props

■ No background music (unless this is what you are talking about).

Recording quality will not be assessed but obviously the clearer it is the better it can be judged.

Screening the content is paramount. Before any video is uploaded to your FameLab YouTube Channel it must be viewed to assess its appropriateness. From time-totime FameLab does get entrants who are trying to get their extreme views exposure and this requires close management.

Unsuccessful video entrants should be encouraged to also attend any live auditions as they may get through via this route. Some entrants are much better performers in front of a live audience, and some are better on camera. You have to decide whether or not you will allow them to present the same presentation live as on their video entry.

Some video entrants will ask to view their feedback. Therefore, similar judging forms have to be filled out by the video judges as by the live audition judges, which mark for the 3 C’s (content, clarity and charisma). Judges’ names are given at your discretion. For consistency, video judges will have to be briefed the same as the live audition judges. The judging panel does not have to be the same, but it is still vital that expertise is spread among the judges.

Benefits for the Contestants

Contestants enter the FameLab competition for a number of reasons, and most enter to see if they can perform in front of a live audience. FameLab should offer an hourlong mini-Masterclass at each regional heat, open to all the contestants, which gives advice on live performances, some enter FameLab to get more skills in performing. Judges’ comments and individual feedback has proved to be the most beneficial to participants.

Despite being in competition with each other, entrants tend to form spontaneous networks during the regional heats and between the finalists. For some, sharing experiences and information with other early- and mid-career scientists has been one of the most inspiring aspects of FameLab. Providing space, time and the opportunity for this networking to happen, and the right supportive atmosphere, is a crucial part of the FameLab experience.

Managing Expectations

Few contestants enter FameLab for fame and TV opportunities. But some people have been disappointed when after completing the FameLab process, they have not immediately become the next TV personality. Therefore, clear aims at the onset of the competition should make these unrealistic expectations manageable.