The seven Irish universities in the Republic go head to head next month in a competition designed to find the ultimate postgraduate science communicator, writes Dick Ahlstrom.
The annual Science Speak competition takes place on Thursday May 3rd, in the Royal Dublin Society Concert Hall at 7pm. A panel of judges will hear seven competitors, one from each of the universities who must explain their scientific research in ordinary language and without recourse to technological jargon.
The competitors will be addressing a lay audience, something that will test their communications skills and also their ability to make their scientific endeavours accessible to all.
RTÉ broadcaster Pat Kenny returns in this the second annual Science Speak to compere the event. The judging panel also includes Peter Brabazon of Discover Science & Engineering; Kathriona Devereux, Éanna ní Lamhna and John Creedon all of RTÉ; and this reporter.
The competitors may use electronic displays and other presentation aids, but success depends to a significant degree on how well the person manages to make themselves understood by a non-technical audience. Failure to communicate at an ordinary level means a lost opportunity to win the coveted title as winner of Science Speak.
Last year's winner was Stephen Nolan from University College Dublin's Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical research. He won with a presentation entitled: Kidney Disease: When Good Cops Go Bad. It described how the body's own immune system, led by white blood cells, contributes to the profound damage seen in kidney disease.
Science Speak is a joint initiative organised by the RDS and The Irish Times in association with Irish Universities Promoting Science. It is sponsored by the Discover Science & Engineering programme and by Wyeth Biotech at Grange Castle, Dublin.
Admission to Science Speak is free of charge but places are limited, so it is advisable to book a seat. book online at www.universityscience.ie or by telephone on (01) 240-7217.