Soapbox scientists to be welcomed to Swansea Bay

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Microwaving superbugs for rapid detection of antibiotic resistance and the chemistry of fossil shells are just two of the subjects explored next month at Soapbox Science Swansea, an event which aims to challenge traditional science stereotypes and raise the profile of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).

Dr Yamni Nigam Soapbox Science 2014Swansea Bay will provide the beautiful backdrop to Soapbox Science Swansea 2015 which features women from around Wales who are at the forefront of science and technology.  These soapbox scientists will be at 360 Beach and Watersports Cafe, onSaturday 6th June between 12 noon and 4 pm and will bring science to life for the cyclists, joggers, dog walkers and families out and about in Swansea Bay. There will be 16 speakers taking part that day from Swansea, Cardiff, Bangor and Aberystwyth Universities.

 
 
Pictured:Dr Yamni Nigam at Soapbox Science 2014

Speakers

Amongst the featured speakers will be:-

  • Professor Karen Holford, leading engineer and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Cardiff University’s College of Physical Sciences discussing “Engineered structures for future societal needs” 
  • Dr Laura Wilkinson, Swansea University examining “Why do I always have room for dessert? How the variety effect shapes our everyday decisions about meals and snacks.”
  • Jessica Fletcher, Bangor University considering “Super Yeast! – Beer, Bread and Better Health”

Event organiser Dr Geertje Van Keulen said: “The range and quality of the speakers at this year’s event is amazing – visitors to this year’s event will have the chance to experience and interact with great female scientists talking about everything from solar power, to soil carbon to snails!

“Last year’s inaugural Soapbox Science Swansea was fantastic but we want to top it this year and have been working closely with the City and County of Swansea who are supporting this year’s event to ensure that it is an even greater success.”

Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “Soapbox Science is a fantastic idea. It will showcase some of the brightest female scientific minds in the country and bring science to life in a fun and engaging way. This event won’t just encourage people to head to the promenade area specifically for it – it will also doubtless spark the interest of many joggers, cyclists and other visitors to this part of our stunning seafront on what could, weather depending, be a very busy Saturday afternoon in June. Swansea is a city that’s rightly proud of its reputation for innovation, academia and learning, so it’s only fitting that some of the finest local, female innovators should be coming here to share their expertise and inspire people to find out more.”

Learn more

The Swansea event has been supported by Swansea University, the Impact Accelaration Account,  Wales Institute of Mathematical and Computational Sciences (WIMCS),  Society of Biology, the British Society of Soil Science and PHYCONET