Soapbox Science returns to Edinburgh: apply to take part by 24th February 2017

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Hazel Hall

The grassroots public outreach programme Soapbox Science is returning to Edinburgh this summer. This free public event, which takes place on the Mound on July 22nd 2017, is one of several throughout the UK designed to promote the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It is sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University.

If you are female STEM researcher based in Scotland and keen to share your science with the people of Edinburgh on July 22nd, please complete the application form by next Friday 24th February.

For further information please see the Soapbox Science web site or contact the Soapbox Science Edinburgh team by email at SoapboxScienceEdinburgh@gmail.com.

Soapbox Science is coming to Edinburgh

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Hazel Hall

The grassroots public outreach programme Soapbox Science is coming to Edinburgh this summer. This free public event, which takes place on the Mound from noon to 3pm on on July 24th 2016, is one of several throughout the UK designed to promote the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

My colleague Dr Clare Taylor and I became involved in Soapbox Science last summer. One of its co-founders – Dr Seirian Sumner – was in the audience when we made our presentation about Edinburgh Napier University’s work to support the careers of women in STEM at the June 2015 Athena SWAN awards ceremony. Serian was inspired by our energy and enthusiasm for women in science issues, and particularly interested in Clare’s 2014 Edinburgh Fringe show Women – Science is not for you! After the awards ceremony Serian made contact to invite us to become involved in Soapbox Science, and we agreed to arrange for Edinburgh Napier University to present an event in Edinburgh in 2016. Continue reading →

Women! Science is not for you – or is it?

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Hazel Hall

Clare, Pam, and Susan on stage in the yurt (photo credit Jo Young)

Last Thursday Edinburgh Napier University microbiologist Dr Clare Taylor and her co-presenter Dr Pam Cameron (NovoScience) welcomed a sell-out audience to the yurt in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square at their Fringe show Women! Science is not for you! Over the course of an hour they highlighted evidence to show how the gender balance in science careers shifts in the favour of men the further you look up the career ladder. They discussed the reasons for this, considered whether or not this is a problem, and debated possible strategies to bring about change. A key question is how to stem the flow of wasted talent that escapes from the “leaky pipeline” of women in science, as identified in the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Tapping all our talents report of 2012.

Continue reading →

Not to be missed: Edinburgh Fringe performances by Edinburgh Napier University colleagues

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Hazel Hall

The Edinburgh festivals are now well underway in Scotland’s capital city. I love this time of year, and try to fit in as many shows as possible around my work commitments. One week into the Fringe I have already seen ten shows, and I have plenty of tickets for several more between now and 25th August. I am particularly looking forward to two performances, both of which are highly relevant to my work at Edinburgh Napier University.

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Women in science: the challenge – an evening with Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Hazel Hall

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

After an afternoon spent training PhD students in Glasgow last Wednesday I was popped along to an evening presentation by space scientist and The sky at night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock. This was last event of Strathclyde University’s Researcher Development Programme in 2013/14. The talk was entitled “Women in science: the challenge”. Its main theme was public engagement work related to attracting greater numbers, particularly of women, into science careers. This theme is of particular interest to me as Edinburgh Napier University’s Academic Champion for the Athena SWAN charter.

Continue reading →

Hazel Hall

Professor of Social Informatics, Edinburgh Napier University

Tag Archives: public engagement

Soapbox Science returns to Edinburgh: apply to take part by 24th February 2017

Soapbox Science is coming to Edinburgh

Women! Science is not for you – or is it?

Women in science: the challenge – an evening with Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock