Science POP is a Quebec-wide scientific communication competition brought forward by the IRCM and supported by the FRQS with the mission of promoting dialogue between science and society.
The Science POP initiative is part of a common vision of research institutions and funding agencies to put science to the benefit of society. In this spirit, this competition aims to awaken scientific curiosity in the general population of Quebec and to encourage the training of the next generation of scientists, beyond the laboratory experience: to pass on knowledge; to promote research; to be an actor of change.
Science POP offers three distinct challenges briefly described below.
Learn more : Download Information about the challenges
Following the official launch in September 2022, Science POP will develop across the province of Quebec in the form of internal competitions, held between April 1 and 30, 2023 by institutions devoted to Health Sciences research and to training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Finalists will then proceed to the next step: a Grand Final, provincial-level contest organized by the IRCM. For its 2022-2023 edition, Science POP is aiming for fifteen (15) participating institutions, from all regions of Quebec!
The Science POP Grand Final will be held in late May 2023, in the Greater Montreal area. Details of the event (date, place, etc.) will be announced in November 2022. Finalists will have to attend the competition in person before a diverse audience. The presentations will, however, be broadcast live and online to facilitate remote access to the event. Award winners of the Science POP competition will be honoured during the closing ceremony of the provincial final. A public announcement of the overall winners will be published during the following week by the Governance Committee.
The Science POP Governance Committee is proud to announce that the 2022-2023 edition of the competition will host the following institutions across the province (in alphabetical order):
Douglas Research Centre
Nicolas Cermakian, Deputy Director – Academic Affairs
research.centre@douglas.mcgill.ca
Montreal Heart Institute Research Centre
Frederic Lesage, Deputy Director – Research Centre
frederic.lesage@polymtl.ca
Université de Montréal Hospital Research Centre
Nathalie Grandvaux, Deputy Scientific Director – Student and Postdoctoral Affairs
nathalie.grandvaux@umontreal.ca
CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre
Aline Dumas, Event Coordinator
aline.dumas@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre
Marianne Arteau, Principal Advisor – Academic Affairs
marianne.arteau.hsj@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Structural Biology Research Centre / McGill University
Jean-François Trempe, Professor and Member of the executive committee
jeanfrancois.trempe@mcgill.ca
Sustainable Health Research Centre
Marie-Anik Robitaille, Research Development Advisor
marie-anik.robitaille.ciussscn@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal
Chantal Bibeau, Information Agent
cbibeau.crir@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration
Martine Légaré, Communications Technician
martine.legare@cirris.ulaval.ca
Montreal East Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Center
Caroline Lamarche, Assistant Professor
caroline.lamarche.1@umontreal.ca
Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer
Julie Mantovani, Manager – Academic Affairs
affairesacademiques@iric.ca
Montreal Clinical Research Institute
Christine Matte, Academic Affairs Coordinator
christine.matte@ircm.qc.ca
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Yannick Machabée, Research Agent – Student Life Services Officer
yannick.machabee@inrs.ca
Université de Montréal
Catherine Fouron, Advisor – Professional development
catherine.fouron@umontreal.ca
As a reminder, all Quebec universities offering graduate programs and postdoctoral fellowships in health sciences research and all research centers or institutes associated with a Quebec-based university and whose main mission is to train the next generation of students in health sciences are eligible to hold a Science POP competition. It is not possible to hold more than one competition in the same institution (departments, programs, campuses, etc.).
Organize an internal Science POP competition
Participating institutions will be offered support from the Science POP coordinator, Sara Marullo, in the organization of their venue and will have access to a variety of resources via the Toolbox, whether to promote the event, to encourage student participation, to secure sponsorships or to recruit volunteers.
For more details:
Download the Guide (in French) Participating Institution Contract (in French) Date Derogation Request (in French) Acknowledgement of participation - Internal competition (Word format)
Sign up for a challenge
Individuals eligible to take up a Science POP challenge are:
How to prepare
Virtual training workshops, given by specialists in communication, science outreach or journalism, will be provided free of charge to candidates who wish to be advised for their Science POP presentation. These workshops, offered in French and English, will be held in March 2023. The dates and registration procedures will be announced shortly. Download the information about the challenges
Download information about the challenges Candidate Commitment Form
At the end of the Science POP Grand Final contest, the judges will submit their evaluation grids to the Governance Committee, which will determine the 1st and 2nd place finalists for each challenge. In addition, audience members will have the opportunity to express their appreciation of each with an online rating (1 to 5 stars).
For each challenge, a special mention will be given to the candidate who represents the "People’s choice". The three finalists in each challenge will receive an honorary plaque and a cash prize valued at:
• 1st place: $1000 - Chief Scientist Award
• 2nd place: $500
• Special Mention: $250 — People's Choice Award
One of the objectives of the Science POP contest is to contribute to the training of the next generation of scientists. The 1st finalists of each challenge will be given the opportunity to live an immersive experience in the field of scientific communication. To this end, in addition to the Chief Scientist Award, the winners will be offered the chance to complete a one-week internship in a relevant professional environment of their choice, from a predetermined list of options. Details about the internship opportunities will be given in November 2022.
A variety of resources and documents will gradually be available to you here:
Formulaire d'engagement pour juge-bénévole (in French) Evaluation rubrics Evaluation report Graphic tools (zipped file) Guidelines - Length of the title and summary
Whether as an institution or as a participant in the challenges, stay tuned for the main steps of the competition until the Grand Final in 2023.
… to develop scientific communication skills
… to engage with your community
… to acquire on biomedical research
… to learn more about the benefits and impact of scientific research
… to counter misinformation
… to contribute to developing a strong scientific literacy
« Thanks to one of the presentations,
I was able to recognize the characteristics of the syndrome mirror movements in my son. I quickly communicated with the researcher supervising this
research project and my boy will
soon join a clinical study. »
Valérie Lavastre
Audience Member, 2021 Edition
With Science POP, the IRCM is offering a scientific popularization event aimed at bringing together around science Quebec's main biomedical research players in, their next generation of scientists and the general public, in a spirit of healthy competition, exchanges and of learning. In keeping with the long tradition of collaboration between the IRCM and other research institutions in Quebec, this competition’s impact is intended to be provincial and collective. Above all, Science POP is thus a unique opportunity to create a healthy bridge between the scientific community and the population, by promoting the excellent work carried out in all the research institutions of the province and making it accessible to all.
The IRCM understands that this exercise only makes sense if it respects the fundamental principles that govern scientific thinking and give it its strength: observation, rigour and collegiality. Consequently, the IRCM is committed to take all necessary and commonly accepted measures to conduct Science POP with respect, transparency, fairness and impartiality.
Good luck to all!
Sara Marullo,
Project Coordinator – Scientific popularization, IRCM
Christine Matte,
Coordinator – Academic Affairs, IRCM
Sébastien Sabbagh,
Director – Academic Affairs, IRCM
Jennifer Estall,
Associate Vice President – Scientific Life, IRCM
Michel Cayouette,
Vice president – Research and Academic Affairs, IRCM
Valérie Morquette,
Senior Advisor – Communications and Public Affairs, IRCM
Florence Meney,
Director – Communications and Public Affairs, IRCM
Maria Galipeau,
Representant – Students' Association, IRCM
Michaël Bernier,
Program Manager, FRQS
Manon Pelletier,
Director, Development of projects and partnerships, FRQ
Sara Marullo
(514) 987-5783
sara.marullo@ircm.qc.ca
Media Contact: Florence Meney
(514) 755-2516
media@ircm.qc.ca
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