This year one of the Healthy Land & Water team, Karis, joined the Queensland committee for National Science Week, which is held in August every year. It’s always a fun week, jam-packed with events to help educate, inspire and educate about science and technology.
One of the events Karis attended as part of the lineup was a soapbox science event where she was treated to a novel look at why tangents and diverse and divergent perspectives are a good thing in science.
We asked her to report on her experiences.

By Karis, Healthy Land & Water

As someone without a science degree who often finds the latest research papers a bit overwhelming, I really appreciate National Science Week. It’s a great reminder of how important good science communication is for nurturing and empowering everyone in understanding the breadth of our collective human knowledge base.

This year my curiosity was sparked by a group of female and non-binary scientists who bring science to a public arena and devote their time to answering all questions, even my dumb ones.

I went along to a Soapbox Science event at Sister’s Green at the Queensland Museum for just a few hours and left feeling inspired and eager to engage even more with novel science.

The arena and Soapbox Science

Inspired by the lively debates at London’s Hyde Park Speakers' Corner, Soapbox Science brings that same energy to the world of science.

I was lucky enough to witness this firsthand in Brisbane, treated to a lineup of brilliant female and non-binary scientists standing on soapboxes (raised platforms), sharing their work with anyone who is curious.

They say it’s all about making science accessible and fun - no jargon, no slides, just real conversations where everyone can ask questions, share ideas, and get inspired.

That was definitely true of the 12 professionally curious minds on the cutting edge of science who took to the streets at Sisters' Green exploring everything from fish and animal habitats to the latest in nanotechnology, from nurturing forests to growing organoids. The event was a whirlwind of ideas that left everyone pondering our world's big "why, why, whys".

Soaking it up like a sponge

As someone who’s always loved science, this event was a highlight of my year. What I loved most was how close you could get to the scientists—they were right there, ready to chat, answer questions, and share their excitement about their work.

…And those so-called “disruptions” from the audience? They weren’t disruptions at all. They led to the most interesting tangents, making complex topics easier to understand and way more fun.

It was especially wonderful to see little ones in the crowd, their eyes wide with curiosity. The scientists were fantastic at turning even the simplest questions into fascinating insights, giving us all a peek into their research. I found myself drifting from talk to talk, soaking up snippets of knowledge like a sponge. It felt like being at a party where every conversation was a chance to learn something new. These unplanned moments of discovery turned the event into an engaging and interactive experience.
I couldn’t catch every talk in-depth, but a few things really stuck with me: the strides we’re making in understanding health differences between genders, the growing importance of citizen science, and how we can use technology—sometimes even ancient methods like brewing—to solve modern problems for our health and environment.

One fun fact I found out was that we are trying to figure out the urban living arrangements of microbats in South East Queensland. Bats may have a checkered reputation but having them around is extremely beneficial in controlling insect populations, especially the disease-carrying bugs, so we’d better give a flying fox about them.

My time at Soapbox Science left me inspired and eager to explore more in the world of science.

Inspiring the next generation

During the event, we had the privilege of hearing from two prominent figures in Queensland’s scientific community: Professor Kerrie Wilson, Queensland's Chief Scientist, and Dr Jim Thompson, CEO of Queensland Museum. Their talks focused on the vital importance of inspiring the next generation of scientists in Queensland.

Professor Wilson emphasised how critical it is to nurture young minds and cultivate a culture of curiosity and innovation. She spoke passionately about the need for diverse perspectives in science, noting how encouraging it was to see more women breaking through in what has traditionally been male dominated.

Dr Thompson echoed these sentiments, highlighting the role of institutions like Queensland Museum in fostering a love for science among young people. He underscored the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation to explore, ask questions, and ultimately contribute to the scientific discoveries of the future.

A powerful reminder of the progress we’re making and the exciting potential that lies ahead as more women step into the spotlight in science.

Join the conversation

If this sounds like your kind of event, be sure to follow Soapbox Science on social media and keep an eye out for the next one. Hats off to the amazing scientists who took part—no fancy presentations, just genuine, down-to-earth conversations that made science feel more exciting and accessible than ever.
Here’s the list of the 12 speakers

Ms Pauline Ramos Bessa Rebollar, Coral Watch (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-ramos-bessa-rebollar-b29722184/) - Citizen Science on the Reef
Ms Bettina Dietmair, The University of Queensland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bettina-d/) - Sending Signals: the Role of mRNA in our Bodies and in Therapies
Dr Jiayue-Clara Jiang, The University of Queensland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiayue-clara-jiang/) - Closing the Gender Gap in Heart Disease
Dr Kristy Stevenson, Queensland University of Technology (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-stevenson-084488226/) - Forest Whisperers: How History can Help us Understand Current Threats to Native Forest Health
Dr Melanie Roberts, Griffith University (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-roberts-b2b30646/) - Using Maths to Help Protect the Great Barrier Reef
Dr Birgitta Ebert, The University of Queensland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgitta-ebert/) - Brewing Vaccine Boosters with Baker’s Yeast
Dr Clare Stawski, The University of Sunshine Coast (https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-stawski-92b861152/) - Thriving Together: Wildlife and Humans in Urban Landscapes
Dr Daniela Tikel, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-tikel-8b10042a3/) - One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
Dr Ruirui Qiao, The University of Queensland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruiruiqiao/) - Tiny Particles, Big Impact: The Future of Medicine with Nanotechnology
Dr Aswathi Gopalakrishnan, The University of Queensland (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aswathi-gopalakrishnan-a74789165/) - Engineering Life: The Power of Stem Cells and Organoids in Healthcare
Ms Ashley Fraser, Griffith University - Bacteria in Disguise
Dr Maria Vozzo, CSIRO (https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vozzo-baba9573/) - Saving Seascapes: Using Positive Interactions to Restore Coastal Marine Habitats