How Science can take you to Switzerland

NT BUZZ

Get set to avail the opportunity to win a return ticket to Switzerland, as the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai is organising ‘Swiss Science Slam’ competition, open to participants of all nationalities and research fields (including social sciences, humanities, life sciences, physical sciences and engineering) from the states of North, East, Central and West India (including Goa and Telangana).

All you have to do is produce a five minute video (maximum file size 20 MB), introducing any research or science project of their choice. The video should be done in English and start with the statement of the author’s name, research position and name of college/institution. Participants are free to choose presentation styles and equipment as they see fit.  Submissions must clearly show the participant presenting his or her research in a manner chosen by her or him. Using only animation alone is not permitted and participant may work with other individuals as supporting cast.

Videos can be shot on smartphones, webcams or any video recording devices. Eligible participants should be 18-years-old or older and should be BA/BSc/ MA/ MSc/PhD candidates in India. Only one entry per person will be permitted.

To enter the competition, participants are invited to share a Vimeo link of the video with the option to download the video to swissscienceslam@gmail.com indicating in the subject of the message: ‘Swiss Science Slam submission’ and their full name. The naming style for the Vimeo title is: ‘Swiss Science Slam Mumbai – (Title of video) – (Full name of presenter)’. The accompanying email must contain the following information: applicant first name, applicant last name, applicant title, gender, career level, institute/college/university name, presentation full title, research field, maximum five keywords related to the research project/work, nationality and source of information for the Swiss Science Slam.

A notification email acknowledging receipt of the video will be sent within three working days. Participants are requested to submit their videos before April 30.

The review panel for the competition will comprise a team of scientists and experts from India and the official Swiss diplomatic representations in India. The panel will select up to three winners from all submissions received. Submitted videos will be assessed based on the following criteria, all of equal importance: accessibility for non-experts (could a non-expert understand it?), conceptualisation of slam (structure), presentation style (entertainment), originality, and creativity.

Winners will be notified by email and will also be announced on the Facebook Page of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Mumbai (@SwissConsulateMumbai).

By entering the competition the winner agrees to support the official Swiss diplomatic representations in India with the production of further promotional material (which may include photography, filming or interviews) in the context of the Swiss Science Slam competitions as the organiser may reasonably require.

While the first place winner will be awarded a return economy flight ticket to Switzerland, first and second runners up will also win exciting prizes. The prizes will not be transferable to another person.

The three winners will also be invited to the award event to present their pitches in person on May 11, prior to a special lecture at the Nehru Science Center. Economy return flights (one ticket per person) and accommodation (maximum two nights) to the event will be booked and paid for the three winners (if based outside Mumbai).