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February 2017
 
 

Passionate about science? Share it with the world through FameLab!

Albert Einstein once said, “if you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." And we completely agree!

That's why our international science communication competition, FameLab, asks researchers to explain their work to a non-scientific audience in three minutes in a funny and accessible way.

The competition is open to early-career researchers working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Applicants are asked to submit a short video entry and, if shortlisted, will be invited to perform live at one of the national semi-final events taking place in NSW, QLD, VIC and WA in March and April.

The most charismatic contestants will go on to present at the national final – hosted by superstar astrophysicist, Dr Alan Duffy – at the Western Australian Maritime Museum on 4 May.

At the live events, contestants have just three minutes to convey their scientific research on stage in an original, entertaining way and are judged on the content, clarity and charisma of their presentations.

All participants are provided with expert training to develop their presentation and communication skills prior to performing on stage and the winner of the national competition will win an expenses-paid trip to the UK in June. There, they will compete against contestants from over 27 countries at the International FameLab Final at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival.

Erinn Fagan-Jeffries from The University of Adelaide won FameLab Australia 2016 with her brilliant horror-film tale about the caterpillar-killing wasps that are saving our potato crops and access to hot chips.

“FameLab was an amazing experience," says Erinn. "The competition was a great chance to meet other PhD students passionate about science communication in a wide range of fields, and it was inspiring to hear about their research and how they share it with the world.”

“The training we received at every level of the competition was really useful, and it was amazing to be selected to travel to Cheltenham to compete on the international stage. I would highly recommend the experience to others.”

Applications close at midnight (AEDT) on Friday 24 February 2017. Apply or find out more at www.famelab.org.au
 

Features
 

Marram-nganjinu biik-gurrin - We are Country

Held on the lands of the Kulin nation as part of the Yirramboi First Nations Art Festival, Marram-nganjinu biik-gurrin is a ground-breaking international First Nations event that will forge a new direction of leadership in the cultural and creative sectors.

The three-day Cultural Summit will explore where First Nations sit within the broader cultural ecology, and champion ways to employ the inherent rights First Nations have in managing and defining their individual and collective cultural and creative futures. It will provide a solid foundation for Indigenous arts leaders working on country, across cultures and in international markets through the launch of a cultural manifesto.

The Creation Lab is a five-day workshop for selected First Nations arts practitioners. Participants will be invited to challenge the role and influence of western performance methodologies and explore dramaturgy through the cultural lens of First Nations peoples.

Find out more
 

'Every Brilliant Thing' at the Adelaide Festival

You're six years old. Mum's in hospital. Dad says she's 'done something stupid'. She finds it hard to be happy. You make a list of everything that's brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for.

This is award-winning British playwright Duncan Macmillan’s poignant starting point for 'Every Brilliant Thing', a funny and surprisingly uplifting show about depression and the lengths we go to for those we love.

From UK theatre company Paines Plough, 'Every Brilliant Thing' has had acclaimed seasons in the UK, New York, Perth and New Zealand. We're delighted to be supporting the show's return to Australia during the Adelaide Festival in March.

We caught up with Duncan Macmillan in 2015 when the play was part of our biennial Edinburgh Showcase. Watch the interview here.

'Every Brilliant Thing is showing at Adelaide Festival Centre's Space Theatre from 14-18 March. 

Buy tickets or find out more
 

Launch your journalism career with Future News Worldwide

We're looking for 100 student journalists from across the globe to attend a once-in-a-lifetime journalism and media event in Scotland’s capital.

Future News Worldwide is a unique, fully-funded opportunity that provides aspiring young journalists with exclusive access to some of the world’s leading editors, broadcasters and reporters. It's a unique opportunity to develop practical and editorial skills, network and gain insight into the changing ways news is delivered.

Supported by some of the world’s leading media organisations, including Reuters, CNN and BBC, the conference will take place in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, on 6 and 7 July. Facebook and Google News Lab will lead first day of workshops.

The conference offers aspiring young journalists the opportunity to develop practical and editorial skills and hear directly from some of the world’s most high-profile industry leaders.

Find out more
 
 
 

Best of the rest
 

New report on international student demand in the creative arts

Interest in the creative arts has been rising in recent years, with an increasing number of international students choosing to study subjects such as design, drama, dance, music, cinema, and photography.

A new 'Subject Spotlight' report has been released by our Education Intelligence team to examine this increasing demand for subjects in the creative arts.

The report examines global demand and mobility trends, key source markets, growth and decline patterns, and interest in various subsector fields among undergraduates and postgraduates.

In addition to examining enrolment trends across key UK institutions, the research also considers trends in countries such as the US and Australia and profiles prospective students.

Find out more
 

Find out how to take an exam with the British Council in Australia

Last year, over two million people took exams with the British Council worldwide.

In Australia, we organise exams for a range of UK and overseas professional bodies, educational institutions and schools.

We partner with a range of UK institutions to administer professional exams in a diverse range of subjects - from business and finance to oil drilling and gemmology.

We also provide invigilation services for candidates who want to sit UK examinations in Australia and administer entrance exams for admission into UK schools.

Our newly launched exams website provides information about the range of services we offer. Visit the website now to find out how taking an exam with us could improve your employment prospects and enhance your chances of continuing your education in Australia or abroad.

Twitter Visit the website
 

WIN tickets to the national cinema screenings of Royal Opera’s 'Il trovatore'

Captured live in HD from the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, don’t miss this special opportunity to experience David Bösch’s haunting production of Verdi's classic romantic opera, 'Il trovatore'.

International superstars Lianna Haroutounia, Anita Rachvelishvili, Gregory Kunde and Vitaliy Bilyy lead a superb cast of world-class singers in this great opera of passion and blood, love and vengeance, disaster and murder.

The cinema presentation is hosted by the BBC’s Clemency Burton-Hill and includes the full staging, as well as backstage interviews and features. It will be in cinemas nationally from Feb 24 until Mar 1 and we're offering our readers a chance to win tickets to see it for free!

For your chance to win one of ten double passes, valid nationally, send your name and postal address to enquiries@britishcouncil.org.au by Monday 13 February. Only winners will be notified.

Enter the competition
 

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