Sofie Mohlin, a cancer researcher at Lund University, has won the 2023 Researchers’ Grand Prix. She earned the title of Sweden’s best science communicator at the final held on 23 November in Stockholm. The winner was decided based upon the combined votes of the audience and expert jury.
“It’s great fun to be the one standing at the front of the stage at this fantastic event,” said Sofie Mohlin, whose research involves using chicken embryos to better understand childhood cancer.
The jury consisted of Lena Nordlund, a science journalist at Swedish Radio; comedian and presenter Karin Adelsköld; and Johan Edman, Professor of Criminology at Stockholm University. The event, held at the Vasa Theatre in Stockholm, was compèred by comedian and radio host Fritte Fritzson.
“Sofie was very engaging and managed to convey complicated genetic research in a highly relatable way,” remarked Lena Nordlund, praising all the presentations for their clarity and successful connection of complex topics to the audience’s reality.
Being able to present your research in an understandable and engaging way is challenging for most researchers. But in the Researchers’ Grand Prix, this challenge is intensified as the presentations are limited to just four minutes in length.
“Participating in the competition has been a very educational experience. We received invaluable coaching in presentation techniques and guidance on how to relax and step away from a researcher’s role, and instead be outgoing on the stage,” said Sofie Mohlin.
Johanna Mayer from the Karolinska Institute secured second place in the Researchers’ Grand Prix 2023 with a passionate presentation on her research on Alzheimer’s. Third place went to Kishore Viswanathan from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, who used matchmaking as a metaphor to describe his research on the Swedish forest.
The final, held at the Vasa Theatre in Stockholm, drew an audience of over 300 people. A similar number watched the live broadcast and voted online.
The six finalists had qualified via regional heats in Umeå, Stockholm, Lund, Luleå and Eskilstuna as well as through an online heat open to researchers throughout Sweden. The heats took place in September during the ForskarFredag science festival, part of European Researchers’ Night.
The Researchers’ Grand Prix is Sweden’s largest science communication competition for researchers. The contest has been run since 2012 by the non-profit organisation VA (Public & Science) together with the research councils Formas, Forte, Vinnova and the Swedish Research Council.
Contact:
Vendela Kjerner, Communicator, Researchers’ Grand Prix, VA (Public & Science)
Tel: +46 (0)70-370 95 07, email: [email protected]
Press photos are available at: www.forskargrandprix.se/press
