What is Soapbox Science?
“Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach platform for promoting women scientists and the science they do. Our events transform public areas into an arena for public learning and scientific debate; they follow the format of London Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner, which is historically an arena for public debate. With Soapbox Science, we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy, learn from, heckle, question, probe, interact with and be inspired by some of our leading scientists. No middle man, no PowerPoint slide, no amphitheatre – just remarkable women in science who are there to amaze you with their latest discoveries, and to answer the science questions you have been burning to ask. Look out for bat simulators, interactive experiments or giant pictures of volcanoes. Or simply hear them talk about what fascinates them, and why they think they have the most fantastic job in the world!”
Soapbox Science 2020 St. John’s
St. John’s is having its first Soapbox Science event this year! There are far fewer women in leadership positions in STEM fields than men, with gender disparity being particularly wide in Newfoundland. Dr. Sarah Sauvé, Özgen Demirkaplan and Christina Prokopenko, are bringing Soapbox Science to Newfoundland to bring fantastic local women scientists to the spotlight, and bring you the latest cool science happening right here in the province!
Due to COVID-19, this year will be a little different. The St. John’s event has moved online and you’ll be able to join in with Zoom. The downside is not having the in-person interaction, but the upside is anyone anywhere who registers can join in! Details below!
Location
Online via Zoom; Register on Eventbrite
Dates, Times & Speakers:
Tuesday, September 15th @ 14:00 (NLT)
- Julie Turner (@WanderingBiol), Postdoctoral Fellow, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “Hyenas aren’t the enemy: insight into their lives, personalities, and social behaviour”
- Shreyasi Sarkar, (@Shreyasi09), PhD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “Missing pieces to the diet-microbiota-health puzzle”
- Kris Poduska (@KrisPoduska), Professor and Head, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “Wow, you can do THAT with physics?!”
Tuesday, September 22nd @ 17:00 (NLT)
- Hannah Wallace (@HannahWallace14), PhD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “Viruses and the cells they kill”
- Ashley Noseworthy (@edgewiseNL), CEO/Founder, Edgewise Environmental, “How to Speak Whale: Marine Mammals and Ocean Noise”
- Wendy Lasisi (@neurogist), PhD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “MRI: a snapshot of brain damage and recovery”
Tuesday, September 29th @ 14:00 (NLT)
- Katrien Kingdon (@katrienkingdon), PhD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “The whereabouts of wolves: The importance of predators in our landscape”
- Yanitza Trosel Arroyo, PhD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “Our protein machines from physicist’s eyes”
- Diana Di Carvalho (@DianaDeCarvalh5), Assistant Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, “5 reasons why we should sit less and move more”
For more information on the St. John’s event, including information on the researchers that will be sharing their work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and medicine), check out the website!
Don’t forget to register for the events on Eventbrite. Looking forward to seeing you at #SoapboxScienceNL
NeuroGist 
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