Imagine yourself stood upon Brighton Seafront, the Pier behind you, talking about science with passers-by and inspiring them to find out more about your research…sound inviting? Well, this summer you have your chance as Soapbox Science comes to Brighton for the first time!
Soapbox Science hosts events across the UK and the world that celebrate women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine), breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes about who a researcher is.
Soapbox Science Brighton will take place on Saturday 29th July 2017, 1-4pm, on Brighton Seafront. “Soapbox is a brilliant initiative for raising the profile of women in science. What started out in 2011 as a single event in London has now gone global, with 21 events planned for 2017 in locations across the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and Italy. We can’t wait for Brighton to be part of this celebration of science next summer!” says Beth Nicholls, Brighton Event Co-Organiser.
Soapbox Science Brighton is a fantastic opportunity for female researchers in any field of STEMM to connect with the general public, discuss their research and show-off the diversity of research that women are involved in on the South Coast. “We are really pleased to be bringing the event to the people of Brighton and excited for the discussions that will take place. Having a number of previous Soapbox Science participants on the event committee demonstrates the positive impact that the event has, not just for the general public, who really get stuck in asking questions, but also the researchers taking part” adds Katy Petherick, Brighton Event Co-Organiser.
“I was very excited to be selected, but also very nervous, in particular at the moment when I had to step onto the soapbox. However I need not have worried: I had a fantastic audience and I got some interesting questions. On top of that, a passer-by mistook me for a busker and gave me 10p! Who says science isn’t lucrative?” tells Kayleigh Wardell, Research Fellow in Genome Damage and Stability, University of Sussex (London event, 2016).
Speaker applications for Soapbox Brighton are now open – we welcome any female researchers (PhD students to Professors) from STEMM subjects. Deadline is 24th Feb 2017. We look forward to celebrating Women in STEMM with you on the seafront this July!