Women scientists get on their soapboxes to inspire next generation
Motor Neurone Disease, Menopause and nutrition are just some of the subjects being covered by women scientists who are taking over Speakers’ Corner in Nottingham to share their knowledge with a series of exciting talks and debate.
By Dave Rogers | Published on 8 July 2024
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Science and Technology;
Women academics from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are bringing Soapbox Science back to Speakers’ Corner on Saturday July 13 from 11-2pm.
The speakers will engage the public in ground-breaking research, sharing their experience and expertise on a range of topics and challenge traditional science gender stereotypes.
Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach platform promoting women scientists and the science they do. The events started in London in 2011 and have since spread globally to showcase 2,500 scientists who have presented to over 300,000 attendees and counting! When Soapbox Science arrives, it transforms the venue into an arena for public learning and scientific debate. Each event showcases 12 inspirational women speakers from the world of science, technology, engineering, medicine, and maths.
Rebecca Dewey, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Science and a past presenter and organiser of the event, said: “It’s so important for the next generation of scientists that there’s better representation of all genders in science. Each time you put dynamic exciting speakers in front of children and their families you boost the chances of one of them thinking ‘yeah – I can do that.'
"Budding scientists need to see themselves represented in the population of scientists they see. That’s what we want to do – it’s not just about selling the science but more importantly the *scientist*. This is going to be a really fun day for people walking by Speakers’ Corner, and you might learn some science.”
Speakers’ Corner Trust promotes freedom of speech, public debate and active citizenship. In 2008 the Trust worked with Nottingham City Council to establish Nottingham Speakers’ Corner in King Street. Since then many individuals and organisations have used the spot, just in front of the Brian Clough statue, to campaign, to protest and to hold vigils. The space is available for anyone to use.
Zahraa Al-Ahmady, Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University and part of Nottingham Soapbox Women in Science Organising Committee, said: "Soapbox Science empowers female scientists by providing a platform to share their research with the public, fostering greater visibility and recognition. This innovative initiative helps to break down gender stereotypes in STEM, inspiring the next generation of female scientists and promoting diversity in the field."
Helena Gomes from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, said: “As organisers, we were very happy with our last event in 2022. More than 750 people attended, 97% of visitors found it 'enjoyable' or 'extremely enjoyable', and also most of them just happened to walk by' and hadn’t planned to visit. This means that we are reaching a wider audience than traditional science festivals."
Louise Third MBE, Chair of the national charity Speakers’ Corner Trust, said: “What better place to learn from each other than to gather in the open air and listen to some amazingly talented speakers? These university scientists will inspire the next generation of female innovative thinkers so we are delighted they have chosen to stand at Speakers’ Corner in Nottingham.”
The speakers and their discussion topics can be found here
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Public Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email.
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2021 for cultural heritage science research. It is the second time that NTU has been bestowed the honour of receiving a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its research, the first being in 2015 for leading-edge research on the safety and security of global citizens.
The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent. 86% of NTU’s research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded The Times and The Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2023 and ranked University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023. It was awarded Outstanding Support for Students 2020 (Times Higher Education Awards), University of the Year 2019 (Guardian University Awards, UK Social Mobility Awards), Modern University of the Year 2018 (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide) and University of the Year 2017 (Times Higher Education Awards).
NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with approximately 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across five campuses. It has an international student population of 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
Since 2000, NTU has invested £570 million in tools, technology, buildings and facilities.
NTU is in the UK’s top 10 for number of applications and ranked first for accepted offers (2021 UCAS UG acceptance data). It is also among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was the first UK university to sign the Social Mobility Pledge.
NTU is ranked the second most sustainable university in the world in the 2022 UI Green Metric University World Rankings (out of more than 900 participating universities).