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Soapbox Science

{{Short description|Public outreach platform}}

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).{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2016/feb/15/where-to-get-your-science-fix|title=Where to get your science fix|last=Gjersoe|first=Nathalia|date=2016-02-15|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} 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.

File:Youmna Mouhamad Soapbox science.jpg

File:Dr Mina Bizic performing street science in Berlin city centre 2020.jpg

History

Soapbox Science launched in London in 2011,{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.nature.com/london/2011/07/26/soapbox-science-female-scientists-on-the-southbank|title=Soapbox Science: Female scientists on the Southbank : London Blog|website=blogs.nature.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-09-28}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2011/07/shouting-science-from-the-soap-box.html|title=CultureLab: Shouting science from the soap box|website=www.newscientist.com|language=en|access-date=2017-09-28}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/student-life/why-arent-there-more-women-in-science-and-how-can-we-change-that-8695761.html|title=Why aren't there more women in science - and how can we change that?|date=2013-07-08|work=The Independent|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-GB}} 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{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-23231431/doing-the-macarena-for-science|title=Doing the Macarena for science|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-09-28}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/soapbox-science-event-boosts-gender-awareness/2005631.article|title=Soapbox Science event boosts gender awareness|date=2013-07-11|work=Times Higher Education (THE)|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en}} ran in London, in 2014 events ran in London, Bristol,{{Cite web|url=https://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/case-studies/soapbox-science|title=Soapbox Science|publisher=National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement|language=en|access-date=2017-09-28}} Dublin,{{Cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/soapbox-science-dublin-1427725-Apr2014/|title='No limitations': Ireland's top women scientists gather to showcase their work|last=Ryan|first=Órla|work=TheJournal.ie|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/discovery/soapbox-science-to-give-women-scientists-in-ireland-a-new-platform|title=Soapbox Science to give women scientists in Ireland a new platform - Discovery {{!}} siliconrepublic.com - Ireland's Technology News Service|last=O'Connell|first=Claire|date=2014-01-31|work=Silicon Republic|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-GB}} and Swansea.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08x1wrg|title=Soapbox Science, Science Cafe - BBC Radio Wales|website=BBC|access-date=2017-09-28}}

In 2015 more cities joined including Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle,{{cite web|title=Women team up for Soapbox Science event|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15354350.Women_team_up_for_Soapbox_Science_event/|website=The Northern Echo|ref=Women team up for Soapbox Science event|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15354350.Women_team_up_for_Soapbox_Science_event/|title=Women team up for Soapbox Science event|website=The Northern Echo|language=en|access-date=2017-09-28}} Belfast and Glasgow, all in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

In 2016, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Galway,{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/educationnews/2017/07/12/news/nui-galway-scientists-take-to-the-streets-1080713/|title=NUI Galway scientists take to the streets|last=Doyle|first=Simon|website=The Irish News|language=en|access-date=2017-09-28}} Reading and Brisbane, Australia, ran events.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chemistryworld.com/careers/getting-on-the-soapbox-for-science/3007252.article|title=Getting on the soapbox for science|work=Chemistry World|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en}} The first Soapbox Science event in Canada was organized in Toronto, by then, Dean of Science, Imogen Coe of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).{{Cite web |last=Siebarth |first=Tara |date=2018-02-14 |title=Women in STEM take to their soapboxes – literally |url=https://universityaffairs.ca/news/women-stem-take-soapboxes-literally/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=University Affairs |language=en-US}}

By 2021, there were 45 events in 15 countries worldwide.{{Cite web|date=2018-10-30|title=This Year|url=http://soapboxscience.org/this-year/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=SoapboxScience|language=en-US}}

Impact

Soapbox Science was established to complement other initiatives such as Athena SWAN that tackle the under-representation and low numbers of women employed in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2013/jul/05/science-women-representation-university-policy|title=How can we enhance the visibility of women in UK science? – live chat|last=Shaw|first=Claire|date=2013-07-05|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}

Awards and honours

Serian Sumner and Nathalie Pettorelli were awarded a Point of Light Award in 2015 from the UK Prime Minister,{{cite web|url=https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/showcasing-women-in-science/|title=Points of Light|website=www.pointsoflight.gov.uk|date=2015-06-25|accessdate=1 August 2019}} a Silver Medal from the Zoological Society of London in 2016, presented by Sir John Beddington,{{cite web|url=https://www.zsl.org/science/news/stars-of-science-recognised-at-britain%E2%80%99s-zoological-oscars|title=ZSL Silver Medal|website=www.zsl.org|date=2016-06-22|accessdate=1 August 2019}} and an Equality & Diversity Champion Award from the British Ecological Society in 2017,{{cite web|url=https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/membership-community/honours-awards-and-prizes/equality-diversity-champion/|title=British Ecological Society Award|website=www.britishecologicalsociety.org|accessdate=1 August 2019}} in recognition of their work on the Soapbox Science initiative.

= Notable alumni =

References

External links

  • {{official|http://soapboxscience.org/}}

Category:Science communication