We’re excited to share that Arfor Houwman, a PhD student in Francesca Ferlaino’s group, has danced his way to the top in the 2025 Dance Your PhD contest, winning first place in both the Physics and AI/Quantum categories.
Organized by Science Magazine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the contest invites researchers to communicate their complex research topics through dance — and Arfor did just that.
In his winning entry, Arfor not only composed the music but also wrote the lyrics himself, translating the core concepts of his doctoral research into a compelling performance that blends quantum physics, artificial intelligence, and rhythm. His performance captivated the judges and secured him the top prize in both categories.
The Dance Your PhD contest has been running since 2008 and is a creative platform for researchers to present their work in an accessible and engaging way, breaking down complex science for a broader audience. This year, the contest featured exceptional entries in various scientific disciplines, with European scientists dominating the stage.
Arfor’s win is a fantastic example of how scientific outreach can be both impactful and entertaining, bringing quantum science to a wider audience in a fun and unconventional format.
Watch his winning performance here.
Congratulations, Arfor! We can’t wait to see what you come up with next.
Here you can find more information about the other winners.
