In a thrilling conclusion to its 20th anniversary celebrations, FameLab International 2025 crowned its global winner last night at CERN Science Gateway in Switzerland, marking another milestone in the world’s longest-running and furthest-reaching science communication competition. 

The FameLab International Final, hosted by Cheltenham Festivals in collaboration with CERN, brought together nine finalists from Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland and United Kingdom, who delivered captivating three-minute talks that combined science and storytelling across fields spanning neuroscience, primatology, economics, materials science, biology and embryology, designed to inspire audiences worldwide to engage with science in their everyday lives.  

This year’s international champion Tammy Lee impressed judges Julia Woithe, Carissa Cesarotti, Claire Lee, with her talk, ‘A-Typical Embryo’. The judges praised Tammy for her  clarity and charisma in communicating complex science in an engaging and relatable way.  

FameLab International 2025 winner, Tammy Lee said: “I signed up to FameLab to push myself out of my comfort zone. I have learnt so much, grown as a communicator and gained many amazing friendships. It truly has been an incredible journey. Thank you FameLab for giving me the platform to share my research with the world!” 

Julia Woithe, FameLab Judge, also said: “Judging the FameLab International Final is an inspiring experience. This competition highlights how deeply science communication matters—not just as an essential skill for every scientist, but as an integral part of our work and a human bridge between scientific discovery and society. FameLab shows the impact scientists can have when they share their work creatively and engagingly." 

A Milestone Year for Science Communication 

Originally founded by Cheltenham Festivals and later expanded globally through its partnership with the British Council,FameLab has grown from a UK-based competition to a worldwide movement spanning over 40 countries. Over the past two decades, it has supported more than 40,000 scientists and communicators, inspiring careers in research, education and broadcasting. 

Earlier this year, FameLab kicked off celebrations for its 20th anniversary year by heading to Antarctica in February, emphasising the competition’s continued commitment to breaking boundaries and travelling to new frontiers.  

Marieke Navin, Head of Programming at Cheltenham Science Festival, said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled that this year’s FameLab International Final took place at CERN, a place that embodies the spirit of global collaboration. Just as CERN brings together thousands of scientists from over 100 nations to explore and exchange new ideas, FameLab unites voices from around the globe to share the wonder of science with everyone.  
 
As we celebrate 20 years of FameLab, it feels like the perfect moment to host this final at CERN, showing how international cooperation can inspire discovery and spark a curiosity for science on a global scale.’  

Thousands tuned in online to watch the final streamed live from CERN, joining audiences across continents in celebrating the next generation of science communicators. The event highlighted FameLab’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and global collaboration, values that continue to drive its success into the next decade. 

“Hosting FameLab at CERN Science Gateway this year was the perfect way to celebrate two decades of inspiring science communication,” said Mark Thomson, Director General Designate at CERN. “The finalists showed how clarity, content and charisma can make science accessible and exciting for everyone.” 

Looking to the Future 

FameLab continues to transform the landscape of science communication globally, bringing together the world’s best thinkers and scientists to communicate science in dynamic, fun and innovative ways. This year’s finalists join an alumni network that includes BBC’s  
The Sky at Night presenter DrMaggie Aderin-Pocock, quantum physicist Nic Harrigan, CBBC’s Operation Ouch! Resident Dr Dan aka Daniel Olaiya and many others who have gone on to shape how science reaches the public.  

As FameLab looks beyond its 20th anniversary, Cheltenham Festivals plans to expand its global reach, nurture even more international partnerships and build on its schools-focused programme, FameLab Academy, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2025.  

As of 2025, over 40,000 young people have benefitted from the FameLab Academy programme thanks to the continued support of EDF. 

This year, Cheltenham Festivals brought nearly 10,000 school children together to share their research on-stage in front of a live audience, sparking a lifelong curiosity for science and new ideas. 

Most recently, teachers from 27 schools came together along with mentors, professionals and FameLab UK and International alumni for the launch of next year’s programme as the search for the world’s budding scientists continue.