From 55 semi-finalists hailing from all states and territories of the country, our panels of science communication experts selected the finalists. The 12 finalists have now received additional masterclass science communication training, as well as media and interview training on their journey to the final.
From 16 to 19 September, all 12 will be accommodated at Forrest Hall, home of the Forrest Research Foundation, for additional scicomm workshops, featuring a range of invited guest speakers. The exciting Perth experience phase of FameLab Australia culminates in the National Final, where the finalists will compete live on stage at the WA Museum Boola Bardip on Thursday 18 September in front of a public audience. The event will be livestreamed globally.
Forrest Research Foundation attracts outstanding minds from around the world to Western Australia to undertake high quality research with the potential to improve lives globally. Established in 2014 by Andrew and Nicola Forrest with the view of transforming WA into a global knowledge hub, the Forrest Research Foundation awards scholarships and fellowships to brilliant early career researchers to enable their research at one of WA’s five universities.
Under Professor James Arvanitakis’ directorship, Forrest Hall’s state-of-the-art facilities on the banks of the beautiful Swan River create a unique hub for exceptional minds from varied science specialisations. Fuelled by the energy to spark off each other and collectively discuss and solve problems that have hitherto been unsolvable, communication across science silos flourishes.
“Science, technology and innovation have never been a bigger part of our lives – from the vaccines that keep us safe, to health breakthroughs that have extend our lives and fight rare diseases, to the way we rely on satellite technology to help us navigate and monitor bushfires and climate change. Working with Famelab, we are not only showcase some of Australia’s leading scientists, but ensure the public understands the importance and value of the research undertaken,” said Professor Arvanitakis about the partnership with FameLab Australia.
Foundation for the WA Museum Chief Executive Officer, Coralie Bishop, added: “The Forrest Research Foundation is an epicentre for science researchers from around the world to gather and exchange ideas, knowledge and inspiration. It’s incredibly fitting that our 12 finalists, some of the country’s brightest young science communicators, should be accommodated within that environment to further develop their skills at sharing their own STEM research. We’re extremely proud to have Forrest Research Foundation as a partner - a partner that adds so much value to the FameLab program.”
Tickets to the final are now for sale.
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.
