Who will captivate the audience and the jury with their research topic? Who will manage to explain their complex subject matter in a straightforward manner? The LzO Prize for Science Communication calls for clear and accessible communication. It sounds simple – but it isn’t.
Whether it’s complex methods and interrelationships, formulae, models or specialist terminology: scientific language is understood within the scientific ‘community’, but the interested layperson is often left baffled. Admittedly, a culture of science communication has increasingly developed in recent years. Nevertheless, the public, politicians and the business community continue to press for greater transparency regarding the use of taxpayers’ money – and want scientists to communicate their research findings in a way that is accessible to everyone.
In 2010, the Landessparkasse zu Oldenburg (LzO) took up this issue and awarded the ‘groschen’ for the first time: the LzO Prize for Science Communication. The prize is now open for entries once again: until 15 April, early-career researchers from the Universities of Oldenburg and Vechta and Jade University of Applied Sciences can apply with their Master’s thesis or doctoral thesis. Junior lecturers may also enter with a research project. All theses must have been completed in 2010 or 2011. The prize is worth 10,000 euros. The LzO aims to use this to specifically motivate the region’s next generation of scientists. The aim is to make the proverbial ‘light bulb go on’ for people who do not deal with science on a daily basis.
The application procedure consists of two stages. Firstly, the early-career researchers must convince the jury of the merit of their field of research. To do so, they submit a general description of their work, no longer than three pages, written in accessible language. The selection of finalists is based on all entries. They will take to the stage at an event on 12 July – and have exactly eight minutes to inspire the jury and the audience with their research topic. In addition to the main prize, an audience prize will also be awarded.
The jury, chaired by Martin Grapentin, CEO of LzO, comprises: Prof. Dr Babette Simon, President of the University of Oldenburg; Prof. Dr Marianne Assenmacher, President of the University of Vechta; Dr Elmar Schreiber, President of Jade University of Applied Sciences; Dr Corinna Dahm-Brey, Head of Press and Communication at the University of Oldenburg; Jürgen Lehmann, Chief Executive of the Oldenburg Employers’ Association, Dr Joachim Peters, Chief Executive of the Oldenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and Rolf Seelheim, Editor-in-Chief of the Nordwest-Zeitung.
