By Dr Sarah Hernandez October 23, 2024 Edited by Dr Rachel Harding
We’re excited to announce that the 2024 HDBuzz Prize opened this summer, looking to find effective communicators to help us break down the latest and greatest Huntington’s disease research! This fall (or fall, if you’re feeling fancy, or just British to be honest) we’ll be bringing you articles written by selected award winners who bring a fresh voice to HDBuzz. Read on to find out the who, why, what, when, where and how of the 2024 competition.
The HDBuzz Award sought to diversify the voices that bring you content on HDBuzz. Huntington’s disease (HD) researchers come from many different scientific backgrounds with different training, and not all interpret the data in the same way. Having multiple viewpoints represented across our writers ensures that HD families are getting content that includes what the HD field thinks.
The HDBuzz Award was open to anyone with an active involvement in any aspect of HD-related research. Our goal was to find young scientists with a flair for communicating research news clearly and imaginatively.
We are particularly keen on the new intake that your students, such as PhD students and PhD fellows, offer and are actively seeking researchers with clinical experience. So if that’s you, hit us up!
The HDBuzz Prize is an opportunity for early career HD researchers to get involved in HD science communication with the global community, see their work published here, and win US$200!
“Having multiple viewpoints represented across our writers ensures that HD families are getting content that includes what the HD field thinks.
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Public engagement is important to the training of any scientist, so in addition to the cash, this would enhance the CV of any young HD researcher.
The HDBuzz 2024 Prize was first announced at the Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) conference in August, where HDBuzz tweeted live from the front row. If you missed our live recaps, you can still catch up on the amazing science that was shared at the meeting by reading our tweet recaps.
While at the HDF conference, we tapped the ears of almost 300 world leaders in HD research. We announced the 2024 HDBuzz Prize, calling on young HD researchers to use their writing talents and make a difference for members of the HD family by showcasing science in the field.
Applicants submitted summaries of potential articles, detailing what they wanted to write about and why they felt it was important for HD families to know. Next, we watched with excitement as the applications were presented. Those who passed the first round were invited to submit full articles, and we’re excited to share them with you over the coming months!
Although the 2024 contest has ended, we are always looking for talented writers. Whether you’re a principal investigator (that’s ‘head honcho’ in lab parlance) or a member of the HD family, chances are you know a young scientist with a neat turn of phrase and a gift for communication. If so, please put them in touch with us or send them to this article.
“Although the 2024 contest has ended, we are always looking for talented writers.
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So to all our fellow science geeks – get in touch and get cracking!