Soapbox Science is an annual public science communication event with a difference. It transforms public areas in central London into arenas for learning and scientific debate. The event was inspired by the world famous, historic arena for public debate – Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner. Speaker’s Corner revolutionized democracy and freedom of speech in oppressive Victorian Britain, and helped create the open democracy that our country enjoys today. As publicly funded scientists, we believe that the public has the right to hear about the exciting work they help fund through their taxes, and engage first-hand with the scientists who do it. Soapbox Science achieves this by bringing cutting-edge UK science to the public, in an accessible, fun and un-intimidating way. And more to the point, it is free for all to enjoy!
Since 2011, Soapbox Science has been used as a platform to showcase some of the most eminent female scientists in the UK at the height of discovery and innovation. The event takes a very real and up-front approach to increasing the visibility of women in science, and raising awareness of the current gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research.