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 Speakers' 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.

Soapbox Science launched in London in 2011, where it was led by Seirian Sumner and Nathalie Pettorelli. It aims to showcase eminent female scientists across the world.

Dr Youmna Mouhamad at Soapbox Science - Swansea city centre 2016

History

Soapbox Science launched in London in 2011,[2][3][4] led by Seirian Sumner 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.

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]

By 2021, there were 45 events in 15 countries worldwide.[15]

Impact

Soapbox Science was established to complement other initiatives such as Athena SWAN that tackle the low numbers of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the UK.[16]

Awards and honours

Serian Sumner and Nathalie Pettorelli were awarded a Point of Light Award in 2015 from the UK Prime Minister,[17] a Silver Medal from the Zoological Society of London in 2016, presented by Sir John Beddington,[18] and an Equality & Diversity Champion Award from the British Ecological Society in 2017,[19] in recognition of their work on the Soapbox Science initiative.

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". National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement. 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. "This Year". SoapboxScience. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  16. 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.
  17. "Points of Light". www.pointsoflight.gov.uk. 2015-06-25. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  18. "ZSL Silver Medal". www.zsl.org. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  19. "British Ecological Society Award". www.britishecologicalsociety.org. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  20. "Vicky F". Bloodwise. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
  21. "Dr Goedele De Clerck PhD, MA, BA". University of Manchester. Retrieved 2017-09-28.
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