Falling Walls Lab Melbourne

About event

Background The Falling Walls Foundation is a non-profit organisation in Berlin, dedicated to the support of science and the humanities. It was established in 2009, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. At its heart is the question ‘Which are the next walls to fall?’ as a result of scientific, technological, economic and sociological breakthroughs. Each year, the foundation supports scientific organisations around the world to host a Falling Walls Lab. This international forum promotes interdisciplinary connections between aspiring academics, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals, known for their excellent work. Participants are given three minutes to present their research work, business model or initiative to a broad audience from science and industry, including a distinguished jury who selects the most innovative and promising idea. Falling Walls Lab is a challenging and inspiring format for emerging bright minds, giving them a unique chance to become the next big success story in innovation. In 2018, more than 3000 applications were submitted for 77 Falling Walls Labs that took place in 57 countries worldwide. Details Falling Walls Lab Melbourne is hosted by the Science and Society Network at Deakin University and will be held on 22 August 2019 at Deakin Downtown, Melbourne. Sixteen contestants will participate in the challenge, each giving a three-minute presentation on their research, business model or initiative based on the ‘Which walls will fall next?’ concept.  A jury of distinguished academics and business people will select the winners of Falling Walls Lab Melbourne 2019. The three top place winners will then go on to compete in the Australian final in Canberra on 3 September, 2019. The winner of the Australian final will have their travel expenses covered to go on to the Falling Walls Lab Finale in Berlin, which will be held on 8 November 2019. The top three placed competitors from Falling Walls Lab Melbourne will have costs of flights and accommodation to the Falling Walls Lab event in Canberra covered by the Science and Society Network and the cooperative partner, Monash Innovation. The first place winner will also receive an exclusive science communication mentorship with an editor from Nature Research in Melbourne. Schedule 9:00am - Tea and coffee on arrival 9:30am - Welcome, acknowledgement of country, and introductions 10:00am - Presentations begin  11:45am - Networking break and judges deliberations (light refreshments provided) 12:15 - Awards presentation 12:45 - Event concludes Falling Walls Lab Melbourne will be MC'd by celebrated science communicator Dr. Jenny Martin. Follow the conversation on Twitter using #FallingWallsMelb Venue Deakin DowntownTower 2, Level 12727 Collins Street, Melbourne Deakin’s new city centre campus is a short walk from Southern Cross Station towards Docklands and on part of the free city centre tram network (Stop D15 on routes 11 and 48).  Entry is via Tower Two.  The reception desk directs you to an escalator to a bank of lifts and Deakin Downtown is on Level 12. Hosting Institutions and Partners Falling Walls Lab Malbourne is proudly hosted by the Deakin Science and Society Network with support from Springer Nature and cooperation partner Monash Innovation.