The internationally renowned event, Falling Walls Lab, will be held in Australia for the first time next week, hosted by the Australian Academy of Science.
20 Australian and 5 New Zealand young contestants will each give a three-minute presentation on their innovative research, a business model or an initiative based on the concept: ‘Which walls will fall next?’.
The Australian event will serve as a qualifying round, and the winner will be sponsored to compete in the Falling Walls Lab final in Berlin, pitted against academics from all over the world.
President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Andrew Holmes, said he was proud to see the event held in Australia this year.
“Any event such as this, which encourages local and international cross-discipline collaboration and the sharing of knowledge, is extremely valuable for Australian science and innovation,” Professor Holmes said.
The 25 presentations will look to address issues relating to carbon emissions, obesity, breast cancer, corporate fraud, cerebral palsy, dam disasters, and much more.
“To have so many young researchers addressing such a variety of issues faced by our society is truly inspiring,” said Professor Holmes.
“The Falling Walls Lab will be a showcase of the vast talent in the Australian and New Zealand research and innovation community, and the potential it has to address some of the biggest problems facing people around the globe.”
Jury members for the event include Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel; Nobel Laureate and ANU Vice Chancellor, Professor Brian Schmidt; New Zealand’s Deputy Chief Scientist, Professor Stephen Goldson; and many other distinguished Australians working in the research, innovation and business sectors.
The Falling Walls Lab Australia is organised by the Australian Academy of Science, in association with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Australia and the Australian National University.
Media are invited to attend the event on Wednesday, 24 August between 2:00pm and 8:00pm at the Shine Dome in Canberra.
Interviews with the winner of Falling Walls Lab Australia will be available from 9am, Thursday 25 August.
Contact: Dion Pretorius | 0418281777 | dion.pretorius@science.org.au
© 2024 Australian Academy of Science
