Soapbox Science

Soapbox Science is a public outreach platform that promotes women working in science and the research that they do. The events turns public spaces into an area for learning and debate, in the spirit of Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner. Soapbox Science encourages scientists to explain their research to members of the public using non-traditional methods (for example, there is no use of a projector or slides).[1] Speakers typically make props at home to explain the processes behind their research.

Dr Youmna Mouhamad at Soapbox Science - Swansea city centre 2016

Soapbox Science launched in London in 2011,[2][3][4] led by Seirian Summer and Nathalie Pettorelli and funded by L'Oreal UNESCO For Women In Science Scheme, Zoological society of London and the Science & Technology Facilities Council. Soapbox Science formed a partnership with Speakezee in 2016.

Soapbox science aims to showcase some of the most eminent female scientists across the world.

The first three annual events 2011-2013[5][6] ran in London, in 2014 events ran in London, Bristol,[7] Dublin,[8][9] and Swansea.[10]

In 2015 more cities joined including Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle,[11][12] Belfast and Glasgow.

In 2016, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Galway,[13] Reading and Brisbane ran events.[14]

Impact

Soapbox Science was established to compliment other initiatives such as Athena SWAN that tackle the low numbers of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the UK.[15]

Awards

  • Soapbox science was awarded a Silver Medal for public engagement from the Zoological Society of London on June 22, 2016, presented to Nathalie Pettorelli and Seirian Summer by Sir John Beddington.

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ Gjersoe, Nathalia (2016-02-15). "Where to get your science fix". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  2. ↑ "Soapbox Science: Female scientists on the Southbank : London Blog". blogs.nature.com. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  3. ↑ "CultureLab: Shouting science from the soap box". www.newscientist.com. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  4. ↑ "Why aren't there more women in science - and how can we change that?". The Independent. 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  5. ↑ "Doing the Macarena for science". BBC News. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  6. ↑ "Soapbox Science event boosts gender awareness". Times Higher Education (THE). 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  7. ↑ "Soapbox Science | NCCPE". www.publicengagement.ac.uk. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  8. ↑ Ryan, Órla. "'No limitations': Ireland's top women scientists gather to showcase their work". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  9. ↑ O’Connell, Claire (2014-01-31). "Soapbox Science to give women scientists in Ireland a new platform - Discovery | siliconrepublic.com - Ireland's Technology News Service". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  10. ↑ "Soapbox Science, Science Cafe - BBC Radio Wales". BBC. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  11. ↑ "Women team up for Soapbox Science event". The Northern Echo.
  12. ↑ "Women team up for Soapbox Science event". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  13. ↑ Doyle, Simon. "NUI Galway scientists take to the streets". The Irish News. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  14. ↑ "Getting on the soapbox for science". Chemistry World. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  15. ↑ Shaw, Claire (2013-07-05). "How can we enhance the visibility of women in UK science? – live chat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  16. ↑ "Vicky F". Bloodwise. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  17. ↑ "Dr Goedele De Clerck PhD, MA, BA | The University of Manchester". www.research.manchester.ac.uk. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
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