The grand final of the provincial popularization and science communication contest Science POP, organised in partnership the Fonds de recherche du Québec-santé (FRQS), came to a close on May 28 at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM).
Before a delighted audience, finalists of 15 institutions from all across Quebec gathered and competed in three high-level challenges, which led to the selection of nine winners.
Mobilization Challenge:
• 1st - Chief Scientist Award: Justine Fortin and Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard from the Douglas Institute Research Centre
• 2nd - Jacques-Genest Award: Yiran Chen and Easin Uddin Syed from the Montreal Clinical Research Institute
• People's Choice Award: Justine Fortin and Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard from the Douglas Institute Research Centre
Valorization Challenge:
• 1st - Chief Scientist Award: Amélie Sanfaçon-Verret from the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale
• 2nd - Jacques-Genest Award : Clara Ziane from the Université de Montréal
• People’s Choice Award: Clara Ziane from the Université de Montréal
Popularization Challenge:
• 1st - Chief Scientist Award: Kelly Godbout from the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec
• 2nd - Jacques-Genest Award: Madhura Lotlikar from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation
• People’s Choice Award: Juliette Humeau from the Institut de recherche en immunologie et en cancérologie
"I would like to congratulate all the students who, through their participation in the Science POP competition, have demonstrated a remarkable talent for popularizing science. Their captivating passion for sharing their knowledge and advances in health research is a source of inspiration for the next generation. Initiatives such as these help foster dialogue between science and society to increase scientific literacy, and thus combat misinformation." - Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Quebec.
"Seeing all this talent being deployed to explain science in simple, accessible terms is extremely satisfying, and gives confidence in the ability of a whole new generation of researchers to build bridges with the public, creating fertile ground for the circulation of rigorous information on crucial issues, such as health." - Dr. Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director of IRCM.
What is Science POP?
A pan-Quebec science communication initiative proposed by the IRCM and propelled by the FRQS to promote science-society dialogue, Science POP has the avowed aim of working to awaken scientific curiosity within Quebec society, and to stimulate skills in knowledge transfer.
