And a quick not to those asking about music rights: I emailed the band. I included a link to the contest and explained that I was a long time fan (and that I had recently donated to their kickstarter campagin). Someone wrote back to give me permission and wish me good luck.

Assuming that the song isn’t by the Beatles (for example), I think it’s worth emailing the band to ask permission. It’s polite. I always ask permission before choreographing solos. I’ve gotten a mix of “yes” and no reply, but nobody has ever said no. And if they did say no, I would respect that.

Of course! No need to endanger your scientific career for the sake of your PhD dance. (After all… the secret purpose is to enhance your career.)

I would just use something creative as a placeholder. You can even make a joke of it… the mystery gene. You can explain in the text that goes with your dance video that, indeed, your P.I. would kill you if you revealed the gene name before publication.

I’m currently working on my Ph.D. project so my dance includes unpublished research. Can I withhold the name of the gene that I am working on so my P.I. doesn’t kill me? I was thinking of just making up a funny name for it instead and explaining in the info section. What do you think?

There’s nothing in the rules forbidding naughty language. It might prevent some teachers from playing it in class, sending links to their students, etc. But it should have no effect on your chances of winning. Rock on.

I just had a quick question. I’ve found the perfect song, which I’ve actually been given permission to use, but it drops a non-prominent f-bomb. Should I work on cleaning that up, or will it matter?

Working hard to get mine dance done ASAP!

The judging for the shortlist is continuous. So if you submit your PhD dance earlier than other people (e.g. in September), then you have an advantage. But if you have absolutely no chance to make the dance until October, it’s OK. You’ll probably be lumped in with all the other people waiting until the 11th hour to submit their dances, but you’ll still have a chance to make it onto the shortlist. You’ll just have to really shine. Good luck!

The info says that the shortlist will be made in September, but the submission deadline is the 10th October. Does that mean that any videos submitted after September won’t make the shortlist? I was hoping to submit in the first week of October, but if that means I’m at a disadvantage I will have to re-think! Thanks!

Sorry, it has to be a PhD. If we opened the door to DPsych, then why not Masters degrees, which also have “a large research component”?

Don’t worry, you totally stand a chance. We’ll probably put your dance into the physics category, unless it’s bioinformatics.

Get dancing!