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 →