University of Exeter brings back Soapbox Science
A fantastic line up of women who are making significant contributions to the scientific community will be showcasing their research on 10th June.
Soapbox Science is returning to the city for its 7th event since starting in 2015, with 12 female scientists standing on soapboxes in Piazza Terracina, Exeter Quayside to talk to the public.
This event is part of an international initiative by Soapbox Science, which aims to bring science to the general public and challenge gender stereotypes in science careers.
Talks by speakers from The University of Exeter include:
What animals can teach us about why we make friends – Dr Delphine De Moor, Behavioural Ecologist
I Am Small, But I Am Fierce! Hunting Cancer with Nanoparticles – Ioana Blein-Dezayes, PhD student in the Biomedical Spectroscopy group
What makes the grass green and the sea blue? – Imogen Fermor-Worth, Biomedical Physics PhD student
Cryptococcal meningitis – understanding a deadly brain fungus – Dr Alison Gifford, PhD student
Microplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants – From Home to River – Daisy Harley-Nyang, Engineering PhD student
Do judge a fungus by its cover! – Dr Liliane Mukaremera, Lecturer in Biosciences
Blood sugar: a body balancing act? – Katie Partridge, PhD student
The Pollen-ator: Rise of the Machine Learning – Dr Ann Power, Environmental Sciences Researcher (Biosciences)
LIFE CHANGING: Using worms to explore longevity and ageing – Rebekah White, Evolutionary Geneticist and PhD student
This year, in addition to speakers from the University of Exeter, there will be speakers from Plymouth Marine Laboratory and Bournemouth University.
Dr Lauren Biermann, Marine Remote Sensing Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, will be showing how patches of materials floating on the ocean surface can grow big enough to be seen from space.
Dr Sophia Amenyah, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Faculty of Health and Social Science at Bournemouth University, will focus on eating well and keeping active to keep our brains healthy. Dr Amenyah’s talk promises to provide interactive and fun activities to engage with children, parents and the general public around food and brain health as well as offering practical tips on keeping our brain healthy through nutrition.
Co-organiser Dr Safi Darden of The University of Exeter said: “Soapbox Science is a fantastic interactive platform that allows leading scientists from a diversity of backgrounds and disciplines to showcase their pioneering research and engage with the public, helping to inspire the younger generation in pursuing a career in STEMM.”
“The response we get from the public at these events is brilliant, especially from the younger generation. We need to challenge the gender stereotypes in science careers and this event is a great way to create a dynamic learning environment for all.”
The event will run from 12pm-3pm, with four scientists on soapboxes at any one time.
The Exeter event is sponsored by the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, and the University of Exeter’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team.