When I started my PhD in 2021, I quickly realised a passion for public engagement and science communication. Taking time to make science accessible and fun has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my 4 years of postgraduate research.
I started with a lot of writing and blogging, which is where I feel most comfortable. However, there was definitely something I knew I needed to tackle to begin my science communication journey: Public speaking.
I’m not alone in being scared of public speaking. Around half of people in the UK report being afraid of speaking in front of a crowd, and 15% even consider it a phobia for them. I consider myself a part of that category, even practising for a talk gives me uncontrollable nerves. In setting out to tackle this fear, I discovered FameLab: A competition for aspiring science communicators. I signed up for the 2025 cycle before I could talk myself out of it, and it was one of the best decisions I have made.
The North West Final
I started by looking at videos of previous finalists, an inspiring collection of emotional, funny, or poignant performances across many essential research topics. I happened to work on intestinal mucus and parasitic worms. How was I going to make this work? What could I use as a prop? My video submission secured me a spot for the North West final, but I knew there was work to do.
In Liverpool, there was an opportunity for some feedback. The key moment for me was Dr Hannah Little’s advice: Disgust is an emotion, lean into it! That’s when the moment of inspiration hit me. I was going to chug “mucus” on stage.
With a couple of gelatine packets, green food colouring, and a handful of noodles in a 2L Sprite bottle, I was ready to give it my best shot. The nerves felt worse than ever with the added pressure of a competition, and my usual fear happened right in the middle. I froze! I lost my place, and as per the competition rules, I had no notes to save me. I managed to get back on track, but the thought that I’d blown my chances was in the back of my mind.
So what a shock it was to learn I had won the North West Final. While I was stuck on what went wrong in my mind, everyone else enjoyed my three-minute tour of slimy science. My off-chance video submission led to a trip to Cheltenham Science Festival in June.
The National Final
Along with a ticket to the national FameLab final, I attended a 2-day masterclass on science communication, filling me with ideas on how to rewrite my 3-minute talk. On the afternoon of the final, the excitement turned towards nerves once again. I was confident in what I had prepared; I won the North West final, so why was I shaking more than ever? It turned out I couldn’t change my physiological response, but I could change my mindset. This time, I knew that if I made a mistake, that’s not what people would focus on. The audience was coming to hear some new science in a fun format, not to criticise.
Keeping tradition alive, I did have a moment during my performance where my mind went blank. The difference was rather than panicking, I was able to focus my thoughts on finding my place.
I made it through the entire talk, signing off by once again chugging green slime from a large bottle to the tune of the audience’s groans. The competition was incredibly tough with 9 other amazing finalists. While I didn’t clinch the win this time, the feedback I received from the audience solidified my desire to follow science communication long-term. As of last month, I completed my PhD and started my very first role.
My advice to you
It’s easier said than done, but I urge you to set aside your fears and give FameLab 2026 a go. Hopefully, the fact that I have done it carries some weight in this encouragement. There is no perfect solution to overcoming public speaking nerves, but the supportive environment of FameLab has been a crucial step in building confidence.
FameLab 2026
If you would like to see the FameLab North West 2026 finalists, join us in Liverpool on the evening of the 24th March. The event is free to attend and open to all and you can book your tickets here