I mentioned in a post a while ago that I am taking part in a Soapbox Science event – it’s fast approaching so here’s a reminder of what the plan is. Do come along if you’re around Edinburgh on Saturday, I’m hoping the good weather holds out and we get the chance to speak to lots of people about the science we do.

On Saturday 22nd July, researchers from across Scotland will take to their soapboxes on the historic Mound, next to the National Galleries, to share their passion for science with the public.

Soapbox Science was set up bring science to public spaces.  Members of the public will have the opportunity to find out more about world-leading research, to ask questions, heckle and be inspired by our remarkable women in science.

Soapbox Science was commended by the Prime Minister in 2015, and awarded a Silver Medal from the Zoological Society of London in June 2016.

The speakers will be armed only with a soapbox and a white coat – there’s no speaker, no blackboard, and definitely no powerpoint!

Come along to The Mound from 12 noon to 3pm to hear talks from:

• Ms Heidi Gardner (@heidirgardner), University of Aberdeen “What’s the point in taking part in a clinical trial?”
• Dr Sharron Vass, Edinburgh Napier University “The placenta and the tumour, understanding the differences and exploiting the similarities”
• Ms Aisling Doyle (@AislingDoyleEng),Edinburgh Napier University “Let’s see how electrified or electric-orrified you are about the electric car!”
• Dr Alys Jepson, University of Edinburgh “Swimming bull sperm”
• Ms Sara Schmidt (@AskSchmidt), University of Edinburgh “Using chemistry, gels and 3D printing to get healthier and happier cells in the lab”
• Dr Anna Campbell MBE (@canrehab), Edinburgh Napier University “Exercise and cancer – Movement Matters!”
• Dr Lourdes Alwis (@AlwisLourdes), Edinburgh Napier University “Smart Cities – the future of the world”
• Ms Manisha Ajmani, Glasgow Caledonian University “Developing a low-cost Indoor Positioning System using Optical Wireless Communication”
• Ms Tracey Jolliffe, NHS Fife “The Secret World of Bats”
• Professor Lorna Dawson (@Soilfit), The James Hutton Institute “The answer lies in the soil”
• Dr Amy Pederson (@amybpedersen), University of Edinburgh “A community within: parasite competition inside an individual has consequences for health and disease control”
• Ms Mome Mukherjee, University of Edinburgh “Big Data – What is the Asthma story?”

For more info: http://soapboxscience.org/soapbox-science-2017-edinburgh/

This is a free event, sponsored by Edinburgh Napier University, the Scottish Univerities’ Physics Alliance and a private sponsor.  The soapboxes have been designed by the Edinburgh Tool Library.