The FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix is a dynamic science communication competition where PhD students from all FORTHEM Alliance partner universities present their research in a clear and engaging way to a broad audience. This event aims to transcend the academic world by using tools and techniques from the fields of communication and the performing arts to create an entertaining and dynamic show aimed at the general public. It is a competition based on the Norwegian festival Forskningsdagene (Research Days), which has been held in Norway since 1994, sponsored by the Norges forskningsråd (Norwegian Research Council).
The Grand Prix is organised as follows:
- The event is divided into several phases in which a dozen candidates (PhD students) and three coaches are selected: one from the field of communication, another from the field of design, and another from the field of performing arts.
- These coaches train, accompany, and prepare the candidates to develop insightful, engaging and entertaining presentations on their research topics, with a focus on creating a safe and friendly space for participants, team building, etc.
- Local pre-finals at each university determine who competes in the European final, where each participant gives a four-minute presentation in English.
- Contestants receive intensive coaching in storytelling and public speaking to enhance their communication skills.
- Winners are chosen either by jury scores and or audience votes, or a combination of both.
- The European final is livestreamed across Europe, reaching audiences within and beyond the FORTHEM network.
- The participating universities set up a space with a large screen to follow the event live, cheer on the contestants, and participate in choosing the winner by voting through an app.
- All finalists receive flowers, and the winner is also given an award and a small gift card. However, the most interesting aspect of participating is the training and advice provided throughout the competition.
- The initiative fosters international collaboration, boosts researchers' confidence, and strengthens science outreach across disciplines.
Each pre-final is organised separately by the respective university. For further information, please contact the Academy for Early-Stage Researchers via A4ESR@forthem-alliance.eu.
The first FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix showcased how PhD students can make complex research accessible and inspiring, strengthening their communication skills through coaching and live performance. Participants valued the opportunity to connect across borders, with one calling it “a great experience” to meet peers from all over Europe. The event had a powerful impact on both personal and professional levels, helping researchers grow in confidence and reach new audiences. “I was so surprised, I wasn’t expecting it,” said winner Houda Rafi, whose AI research on self-driving cars won the competition on 6 November 2024 at the University of Agder and moved audiences both in person and online. In total more than 800 people were watching in person or via life stream the final competition, not to speak of those attending the local pre-final competitions.
Watch the full-video recording from the 2024 edition final event held at University of Agder or, if you’re short of time, just take a taste of it in less than five minutes.
Building on the overwhelming success in 2024, the FORTHEM Researcher Grand Prix is back in 2025 and will be taken to the next level involving all 9 partner universities. Stay tuned about the local semi-final at the UV, which will took place next 26 September, and the exciting final event, which will be held on 6 November at the Université Bourgogne Europe in Dijon.
