News & Events

Soapbox Science is set to return to the streets of Dublin at the end of this month when 12 female scientists will step onto their soapboxes to talk about their research in areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

Soapbox Science is a global public outreach platform for promoting women scientists and the science they do. Its aim is to bring scientists to the streets to interact with the public and increase the visibility of women working in science. It follows the format of Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London which is historically an arena for public debate.

Since it was established in 2011, Soapbox Science has grown from one event in London, to dozens of annual events around the world. Nearly 1,000 scientists have taken part and 140,000 members of the public have attended Soapbox Science events to date. This year over 40 Soapbox Science events, including the Dublin event, are planned across 13 countries.

Soapbox Science Dublin is supported by University College Dublin through a UCD Research and Innovation seed funding programme, and is being organised by Earth Institute member Dara Stanley and Jessamyn Fairfield, NUI Galway.

Speaking in advance of the event, Dr Dara Stanley, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, said, “Many people have not met a scientist before so Soapbox Science brings scientists to the city streets to interact with people going about their daily lives. As women in particular are under-represented at many career stages in STEMM subjects, Soapbox Science aims to break down stereotypes around who scientists are by featuring a number of female scientists speaking on  a number of diverse topics.”

She added, “Soapbox Science Dublin is free to attend and is great fun so please do come along and hear about some amazing science being carried out by twelve fantastic female scientists.”

Soapbox Science Dublin will take place on Sunday 30 June (12 pm – 3 pm) on South King Street and will involve speakers from UCD, Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and DCU, including Institute members and associate members Saoirse Tracy, Katherine Burns and Nicole Beisiegel.