FAMELAB HALL OF FAME

Raven Motsewabangwe

FameLab SA 2014 Winner

What are you currently doing (studies/work)?

I am currently working as a Science Centre coordinator and science communicator at the Inkcubeko Youth and Science Centre located in George in the Western Cape

What drove you to enter FameLab?

I have always had a passion for talking about science to anyone and everyone who was willing to listen. FameLab provided a platform for me to extend the reach I would have in communicating my science.

How did you find your FameLab experience? What still stands out today?

FameLab provided me with an amazing opportunity to engage with fellow scientists, where the aim was not to show off intellectual capacity but to engage with each other about our “everyday” science, from different scientific disciplines, and thus increasing the scope of my scientific knowledge.

Winning the national competition is what stands out the most for me. It still stands out as one of my biggest achievements in my career.

How did your perceptions about science communication and public engagement with science change through participating in FameLab?

For the longest time, science communication to me just meant having journalists and researchers talking about science. I have now come to learn that science communication also involves communicating science in such a way that it promotes better understanding and engagement by your audience. It also taught me that written media is not the only form of scientific communication. Verbal, physical and interactive communications play a major role in the relay of messages.

Did FameLab impact you in any other way?

Yes, after my FameLab experience, I decided to pursue a career in science communication.

What would you say to young scientists thinking about taking part in FameLab?

FameLab is an excellent tool to help you communicate your science more effectively to audiences from all walks of life. The great thing about FameLab is that it also shows you that science communication is not a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As emerging scientists, we need to make the communication of our work a priority in order to increase the impact our work will have in society.