BU academics will share their research and knowledge in free public events running as part of the Soapbox Science initiative.
Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach programme for promoting women scientists and the work they do, transforming public spaces into arenas for learning.
Bournemouth University’s Shanti Shanker, Anna Bobak and Dr Rachel Moseley will run separate events in locations across the country as part of Soapbox Science 2016.
Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology Shanti Shanker will be in Exeter’s Princesshay Square on Saturday 11 June, between 1pm and 4pm. Her event Spotless mind: the science behind selective forgetting will explore the brain mechanisms involved in memory control and motivated forgetting.
Shanti said: “Soapbox Science is something which encourages women scientists to actually stand out on a podium, on a soapbox and talk about their science.
“For my talk I’m hoping to talk about the parts of the brain that are involved in memory processes and give a better understanding of the different mechanisms of forgetting and motivated forgetting.”
BU Research Fellow Anna Bobak will be standing on a soapbox in Oxford on Saturday 18 June where she’ll be talking about Face recognition - a very special super power. The Soapbox Science event will run in Cornmarket Street from 2pm – 5pm.
“At Soapbox Science in Oxford, I will be talking about unfamiliar face recognition and its challenges in everyday life,” said Anna.
“Standing on a soapbox in a middle of a street is a fantastic opportunity to disseminate research to people who typically may not encounter science and if anyone takes one interesting “face fact” with them on the day, then I see this as job well done!”
Dr Rachel Moseley, a Lecturer in Psychology at BU, will be taking part in the Soapbox Science event in Bristol’s Broadmead Shopping Centre from 12pm – 3pm on Saturday 16 July.
She will share her research into the parts of the brain involved in psychological processes and autism spectrum conditions during her talk, Amazing brains and the autism spectrum.
“I’ll be talking about the various amazing things that the brain does and my other big research focus, which is autism spectrum conditions,” she said.
Rachel added: “Science is still a domain where people don’t really expect to see women – which is really shocking in 2016.
“Soapbox Science is really important because it’s challenging that and showing young girls that who might wish to go into science that this is a domain where they can do really well and they can bring really important things to the workforce.”
