Are you passionate about science? Do you love talking to the public about science? Are you keen to raise awareness about equality in science careers? If so, you’ve got the makings of a Soapbox Science Volunteer! Read on!
What does a volunteer do?
Soapbox Science is not just about the speakers. Without a support team of committed, enthusiastic people, a Soapbox event simply cannot happen. Each event relies on an animated team of up to 20 volunteers. Volunteers play a crucial role in rounding up the public, chatting to the public informally about being a scientist and your science, supporting the speakers by managing props and help calming any pre-box nerves (even then most experienced speakers get a bit jittery!) and handing out Soapbox goodies to lucky audience members! But perhaps the most important role of the volunteers is in gathering data so we can monitor effectively the success of the event: the volunteers carry out the bulk of our streamlined, centralised evaluation process, through interviews, observations, counting footfall and advertising our post-event online surveys.
What sort of commitment do we need from you?
We ask you to commit to attending a particular event, chosen by you. You’ll need to turn up 1 hour before the event starts for a briefing and training. You’ll need to stay until up to an hour after the event ends, to help clear up.
We’ll send you a volunteers information pack before hand, with contact details of your local organisers, and details on what role you’ve been allocated and at what time.
Why should I be a volunteer rather than a speaker?
Many of our volunteers are keen to be speakers, but lack the confidence to dive straight in, don’t have the time to prepare this year, or simply want to suss out the competition before they apply! We love it when our volunteers become speakers as they’ve had time to chew over ideas on how to best present their work to the public.
What do I get out of it?
We can’t pay you, but we can provide you with training, skills, networking opportunities and an awful lot of fun! You’ll learn how broad-scale public engagement events are evaluated; you’ll develop your skills in chatting informally with the public about science; get to steal innovative ideas on how to communicate science to a lay audience. And most importantly, you’ll make new friends with up to 20 other like-minded volunteers, meet your local Soapbox Science organising team, and build links with scientists from both your local area and further afield. To keep your energy levels up, we’ll keep you well endowed with drinks and snacks!
So go on, apply TODAY to be a volunteer at one of our 14 events this summer!