An engaging blend of hand fans, Lord of the Rings, and chemistry won Science’s last Dance Your Ph.D. competition, and we can’t wait to see who takes the next crown. The latest edition of the contest, our 16th, is now open to entries.
As always, we’re challenging scientists to explain their research obsession with fancy footwork but no PowerPoint slides or jargon. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting your Ph.D. or you completed it decades ago; you just need imagination and the ability to keep a beat.
This year, the standard category winners—physics, biology, chemistry, and social science—can take home $750. And thanks to the event’s sponsor, the artificial intelligence and quantum technology company SandboxAQ, we’ve added a special AI/quantum category that also has a $750 prize. It’s for a dance that explains phenomena from the domains of artificial intelligence, quantum physics, quantum computing, or any combination thereof. The dance does not need to be based on a specific Ph.D. thesis.
The judges will also select one category to earn the ultimate glory of being crowned Dance Champ, and take home an extra $2000.
Beyond that, it’s simple. Go dance your science, create a video of it, and upload it to YouTube. The deadline for submissions is 26 January 2024.
To enter the contest, submit here. (There are also tips, FAQs, and official rules at that page.) The winner will be announced in the spring.
Good luck, stretch before you hit the dance floor, and enjoy!
