Soapbox Science
See how academics from the School of Life Sciences help organise Soapbox Science in Brighton – an event that celebrates women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Medicine).
What is Soapbox Science
Soapbox Science host events across the UK and the world that celebrate women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, Medicine). The events are designed to help break down barriers and challenge stereotypes about who a STEMM researcher is. The events transform public areas into an arena for public learning and scientific debate.
Soapbox Science provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy, learn from, question, probe, interact with, and be inspired by, some of our leading scientists. No middle person, 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.
Soapbox Science Brighton
Staff in the School of Life Sciences lead the Sussex team organising Soapbox Science Brighton which was set up in 2017. The annual event usually takes place on the Brighton seafront, next to the i360 and opposite the West Pier, and is now part of the Brighton Fringe festival.
- Video transcript
[Shots of Brighton including the seafront and West Pier and a woman putting up a parasol. Dr Hadia Almahli walks along the promenade]
This is Dr Hadia Almahli.
She is a researcher and lecturer specialising in drug discovery.
She spoke at this year's Soapbox Science event.
Hadia: Usually Soapbox Science runs each summer, here on the seafront in Brighton, because it's a busy area with a lot of people here on the beach, from different nationalities, different backgrouns and different ages. People walk by and they can stop or we can stop them to inspire them about our experiences in research and to encourage them to be involved in science.
Sorry... let's start again.
I feel so excited to be a scientist.
Since my childhood, I've seen a cartoon film on TV in Syria about Marie Curie. Marie Curie is a scientist - chemist- ans she's the first woman in the world to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the first woman to be a Professor in Paris University. She struggled a lot in her life. She lost everything from her paternal side and maternal side - properties, everything. It's very similar to my situation as we lost everything in Syria after the war, so we started from zero again.
Our message to all people, especially young people, through this event is try to read more about science, and dream about science. All these fields lead to one thing - to help other people. To save their lives, improve their lives. Our target is human. Whatever life throws at you, just work hard, think big and follow your dreams. Don't stop!
[End credit shows University of Sussex logo].