Falling Walls aims to make complicated research accessible for all
McMaster’s School of Graduate Studies is hosting the inaugural Falling Walls Lab, an international competition designed to foster innovation and make research widely accessible.
The competition, which is open to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, will put academics from several fields to the test. Each must present a research project, business plan, entrepreneurial idea or social initiative in three minutes or less.
Click here to view the Falling Walls competitor list
“This competition provides an important platform for young academics, students and entrepreneurs to showcase their research or business ideas. And while the format helps them sharpen much-needed communication skills, participants have the opportunity to demonstrate why their ideas may have a significant impact on the broader community,” said David Wilkinson, McMaster’s provost.
The winner will receive a ticket to Falling Walls Lab and Conference which takes place in Berlin, November 8-9. There, 100 scientists from all over the world will take part in the Lab Finale with the top three presenting at the conference.
“I am delighted the university has provided the opportunity for one of our top graduate students to participate in this outstanding global conference as we recognize the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall,” said Wilkinson.
“McMaster’s emerging scholars are conducting world-class research. The Falling Walls Lab is a wonderful chance to share their curiosity, their commitment to a better world, that special spirit of discovery that drives our graduate and postdoctoral community to excel. This competition highlights the talent of our future entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policy makers, academics, healthcare deliverers – the people who will make a difference locally, nationally and globally,” added Doug Welch, acting associate vice-president and dean of Graduate Studies.
The event takes place Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. in the Great Hall of the McMaster University Club.
Falling Walls Lab 2013 – Highlights from Falling Walls on Vimeo.
