Soapbox Science 2017 Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Soapbox Science 2016 was such a roaring success that we’ve decided to do it again in 2017!

On Saturday 22nd July, researchers from across Scotland will take to their soapboxes on the historic Mound, next to the National Galleries, to share their passion for science with the public.

If you’d like to see what Soapbox Science looks like in action, have a peak at the Soapbox Science 2015 video

Details of the location and timing of the event


Date
: Saturday 22nd July, 2017

Address: The Galleries precinct on The Mound

Time: 12pm – 3pm

Sponsors

We couldn’t run our events without the logistical and financial support of our sponsors. The Edinburgh event is moreover sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University.

We would also like to thank Mr Ron Inglis who kindly provided a personal donation towards the Edinburgh event.

Volunteer with Soapbox Science Edinburgh

Are you passionate about science and love talking to people about it? Do you want to help raise awareness about gender equality in science careers? Soapbox Science Edinburgh is looking for volunteers to help out at their event on 22nd of July 2017!

Please sign up here

Soapbox Science is not just about the speakers. Without a supportive 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 them informally about science, supporting the speakers by managing props and helping to calm any pre-box nerves, as well as handing out Soapbox goodies to lucky audience members! But perhaps the most important role of the volunteers is gathering data so we can effectively monitor the success of the event: volunteers carry out the bulk of our streamlined evaluation process, through interviews, observations and counting footfall.

Join us for an afternoon of fun, informal and inspiring science and help challenge ideas about who can be a scientist!

Speakers

Selected from a competitive pool of researchers working in Scotland, our 12 speakers will be sharing their work in technology, science, medicine and engineering. The winners and their discussion topics included:

Ms Heidi Gardner (@heidirgardner), University of Aberdeen “What’s the point in taking part in a clinical trial?”

Dr Sharron Vass, Edinburgh Napier University “The placenta and the tumour, understanding the differences and exploiting the similarities” 

Ms Aisling Doyle (@AislingDoyleEng),Edinburgh Napier University “Let’s see how electrified or electric-orrified you are about the electric car!”

Dr Alys Jepson, University of Edinburgh “Swimming bull sperm”

Ms Sara Schmidt (@AskSchmidt), University of Edinburgh “Using chemistry, gels and 3D printing to get healthier and happier cells in the lab”

Dr Anna Campbell MBE (@canrehab), Edinburgh Napier University “Exercise and cancer – Movement Matters!”

Dr Lourdes Alwis (@AlwisLourdes), Edinburgh Napier University “Smart Cities – the future of the world”

Ms Manisha Ajmani, Glasgow Caledonian University “Developing a low-cost Indoor Positioning System using Optical Wireless Communication”

Ms Tracey Jolliffe, NHS Fife “The Secret World of Bats” 

Professor Lorna Dawson (@Soilfit), The James Hutton Institute “The answer lies in the soil” 

Dr Amy Pederson (@amybpedersen), University of Edinburgh “A community within: parasite competition inside an individual has consequences for health and disease control”

Ms Mome Mukherjee, University of Edinburgh “Big Data – What is the Asthma story?”