12 early career researchers from around the country have been selected for the 2025 FameLab Australia Final!
This week, four regional semi-finals were held online. Showcasing science communication talent from every state and territory in Australia, the 12 best have now been selected as finalists by panels of expert judges.
The finalists will now receive expert science communication training as well as media training to prepare them for the live FameLab Australia Final to be held at the WA Museum Boola Bardip on 18 September.
The training program and live Perth Final are made possible by FameLab Australia’s generous supporters, like long standing partner Curtin University which recently confirmed support for the next three years.
Curtin University has a proud history with FameLab. In 2023, Curtin produced two of the 12 finalists, one of which was the national runner up. This feat was surpassed in 2024, with Curtin once again producing two finalists, one of which – Johannes Debler – went on to win FameLab Australia. Curtin University was once again well represented in the semi-finals in 2025.
Ranked in the world’s top 1% of universities, Curtin University has established a reputation for innovation and excellence in research, including over 3,000 journal articles and reviews in 2023 alone.
Curtin University’s partnership with FameLab assists early career science researchers from across the country to learn the craft of science communication, and to make their research accessible to the general public in powerful, engaging, easy-to-understand presentations.
Professor Gretchen Benedix, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, said Curtin’s support for FameLab reflects a strong institutional commitment to building the next generation of research leaders.
“Great research doesn’t exist in isolation. Helping our emerging researchers share their work in ways that inspire curiosity, build trust and connect with people is an investment in the future of not only science - but society,” Professor Benedix said.
Coralie Bishop, CEO for the Foundation for the WA Museum, noted: “The quality science communication and media training provided to Australia’s up and coming young voices in science through FameLab is so much more than just professional development. FameLab typically attracts over 60% of female participants, and over 75% of finalists are female. This creates new and exciting role models in STEM for future generations who tell their inspiring personal stories of why and how they are tackling some of the biggest challenges we face globally. Curtin University’s partnership helps us reach further and have greater impact.”
FameLab is the largest public-facing science communication training program and competition in the world. FameLab Australia strives to promote excellence in science communication for early career STEM researchers across the country. With participants from every State and territory in 2025, FameLab is recognised as a powerful means to identifying, nurturing and building the profile of new Australian voices in science, with previous alumni embarking on high-profile careers in science communication.
