mission
“Soapbox Science’s” purpose is to link women scientists and the general public in order to foster a culture of shared knowledge, and we promote connections with event participants and the larger community in a helpful and mutually beneficial manner.
STEM Sisters want to collaborate with Soapbox Science to offer the inaugural Soapbox Science Melbourne event in 2022. The event is a free, interactive public event exhibiting cutting-edge Australian research conducted by 12 incredible female experts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) areas.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
what?
Soapbox Science is a public outreach platform that highlights women in science and their research. Science and society thrive on a symbiotic relationship in which one’s efforts benefit the other, and we want for this symbiotic relationship to evolve during this event. We aim to encourage scientists to utilise non-traditional methods to communicate their discoveries to the general audience. Typically, presenters produce materials at home to discuss the methods used in their research.
why?
STEM Sisters believes it is vital to offer STEM women from underrepresented nations the opportunity to exhibit their scientific talents and share their great cutting-edge research trips. This further enhances our communities by making science more approachable, particularly to young children. These platforms allow us to highlight the importance of science and capture the attention of people from all walks of life.
where?
The first-ever Soapbox Science Melbourne event is scheduled during National Science Week, on Friday, 19 August 2022 at the Forecourt, State Library Victoria from 2 pm to 5 pm.
the history
Soapbox Science was founded in the United Kingdom in 2011 by Seirian Sumner and Nathalie Pettorelli, inspired by London Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner, with the objective of promoting public scientific dialogues while also supporting women in STEM. Since then, the event has taken place in 58 cities in 14 countries in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Africa. Because of the outbreak, many of these public activities have been cancelled or postponed in the last two years, or have been shifted to internet platforms. Since 2011, Soapbox Science has featured over 1500 scientists and reached over 150,000 people! In 2015, the UK Prime Minister complimented Soapbox Science, and in June 2016, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) gave it a Silver Medal. To which Soapbox Science co-founders were also invited to give oral testimony at a Parliamentary enquiry into science communication in 2016.
STEM Sisters want to collaborate with Soapbox Science to offer the inaugural Soapbox Science Melbourne event in 2022. The event is a free, interactive public event exhibiting cutting-edge Australian research conducted by 12 incredible female experts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) areas.
The first-ever Soapbox Science Melbourne event will take place Friday, 19 August 2022 at the Forecourt, State Library Victoria from 2 pm to 5 pm.
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