SCIENTISTS competed in a regional final to discover who might be the next Brian Cox
About 150 people turned out to watch the competition known as FameLab, in which scientists have just three minutes to explain their research in a funny and accessible way.
Topics raised at the Glee Club in Hythe Bridge Street, where the final was held, ranged from the physics of geckos feet to the potential for treating Alzheimer’s with electrical brain stimulation.
The winner of a prize of a place in the national finals was Kyle Evans, a 31-year-old guitar-playing A-level maths lecturer who won the judges hearts with his comedy song about the mathematics of love.
He said: "I think about maths all the time. That’s what I was trying to get across in my song.
"Maths is beautiful and amazing. The trouble is it often gets pushed on children because it’s useful when it should be taught because it’s fascinating.
"People don’t get interested in things because they’re useful, they do it because they’re passionate."
Mr Evans will now go on to compete in the national finals at the Greenwood Theatre in London for the chance to take part in the international finals, which will be held at Cheltenham Science Festival in June.
Jonny Brooks-Bartlett, who works in biochemistry at the University of Oxford, came to watch the show after competing himself two years ago.
He said: "This competition helps to show that scientists are people too.
"People get worried about what others think of them. But everyone wants to be entertained. The audience wants to like you, so I’d advise scientists considering participating to just go for it”"
FameLab was created in 2005 in the UK by Cheltenham Science Festival but the regional final on Friday was organised by Science Oxford.
Luiza Patorski, adult programme manager at Science Oxford, said: "FameLab is a really good opportunity for science communicators to talk to the public. It’s so important for scientists to engage with lay audiences."
To get involved or to learn more about FameLab, visit scienceoxford.com/live
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