Science on Stage: ‘Dance Your PhD’ Competition Crowns a Winner with Chili Pepper Flair
Forget dry lectures – science just got a whole lot groovier! The annual Dance Your PhD competition has once again proven that complex research can be engaging, accessible, and even…danceable. This year's overall winner, Dr. Sulo Roukka from the University of Helsinki, took home the top prize for his fiery interpretation of "insights into oral chemesthetic perception." Think chili peppers, mint, and a whole lot of sequined pizzazz.
The Dance Your PhD competition, founded in 2008, challenges scientists to explain their doctoral research through the art of dance. It's a unique blend of academic rigor and creative expression, designed to make science more approachable to a wider audience. And Roukka’s performance certainly delivered on that promise.
Roukka's winning entry featured him dramatically shedding a lab coat to reveal a red suit, symbolizing the spicy kick of capsaicin found in chili peppers. Accompanied by dancers in his sensory lab and throughout the school's hallways, he explored the various sensations caused by food compounds, from the heat of chili to the coolness of mint. The lyrics “Hot! Hot! Hot!” and “Cool! Cool! Cool!” punctuated the performance, brilliantly illustrating his thesis.
"I got to experience a 'Kylie Minogue' fantasy," Roukka quipped, recalling a moment in the video where he's lifted by other dancers, a nod to the pop singer's iconic stage presence. The video even includes a cameo by his Ph.D. supervisor, food chemist Mari Sandell, adding a touch of academic authenticity to the spectacle. This is not just entertainment; it's a creative way to understand the underlying study of chemesthesis, influencing our experience and memory of food.
Judge Alexa Meade, a visual artist, praised Roukka's dance for its wide appeal, creativity, and the enjoyable way it conveyed information. She noted that the music, lights, and costumes all contributed to the dance snagging this year's top spot.
The competition is sponsored by SandboxAQ, an AI company, who funded the prizes. Other category winners included Priya Reddy for biology, Manisha Biswas for social sciences, and Arfor Houwman for physics and the AI/quantum prize.
The contest was started in 2008 by John Bohannon, who notes that European scientists dominated this year’s competition with their creativity and enthusiasm.
You can check out the four winning videos on Science's website and decide for yourself: has science ever been this fun?
What do you think of the Dance Your PhD competition? Share your thoughts and which dance was your favorite in the comments below!