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The finalists are in: Pick your winner for this year’s Dance Your Ph.D.

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By John BohannonOct. 20, 2017 , 7:00 AM

With the holiday season upon us, it’s time for relatives to start asking you the dreaded question: So, what is your Ph.D. about? Often, people’s eyes glaze over with confusion as you launch into the extremely complex, obscure topic that has taken over your life.

There is a better way.

For the past 10 years, Science and AAAS have challenged scientists to explain their Ph.D. research with interpretive dance. This year’s submissions are in: Fifty-three Ph.D. dances. They cover a broad range of dance styles, and the dancers hail from Brazil, France, India, and even a remote Russian research university in Siberia.

The first phase of the judging is now complete. A panel of previous winners has picked 12 finalists in each of the broad scientific categories: biology, chemistry, physics, and the social sciences. Now, the winners must be chosen.

A panel of renowned scientists and dancers are scoring the finalists on their artistic and scientific merits. The winners of each of the four categories will receive cash prizes totaling $2500. The overall winner will head to Austin to screen their dance at the annual AAAS meeting in February 2018.

We also want to know what you think! Between now and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on 30 October at, use the voting app below to pick the dance that will win the Audience Favorite award. Cancan you decide?

Source: Science Mag