07.08.2025

SOAPBOX SCIENCE TÜBINGEN: Taking science outside and into everyday conversation

On Saturday, July 26, Tübingen’s Holzmarkt turned into a vibrant hub of scientific exchange. At Soapbox Science, female researchers stood on small podiums in front of the Stiftskirche (church) and presented their work to the public – openly, clearly, and without elaborate technology.

What might sound like an unusual event format is very intentional: inspired by London’s Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, Soapbox Science brings research into public spaces – places where people don’t usually expect to encounter science. Instead of PowerPoint slides and lecture halls, in Tübingen there were now eye-level conversations, right in the middle of everyday life – while people strolled through the Saturday market, enjoyed a late breakfast, or sipped coffee in the city.

Eleven researchers from the Max Planck Institutes and the University Hospital in Tübingen shared insights into their work – in both English and German. Topics ranged from protein movement to artificial intelligence and the role of light in regulating our sleep cycles. Some brought handmade models, others used children’s books or posters – all to make their research more relatable and accessible. For many of the speakers, it was their first time talking about their research outside of a formal academic setting. Several were surprised by how curious and engaged the audience was.

Soapbox Science isn’t just about making science more accessible – the event also sent a strong message about the visibility of women and non-binary people in science. As organizers Susan Fischer and Monika Lam from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics emphasized, gender equality remains a crucial topic in academia.

Thanks to the overwhelmingly positive response, plans are already in motion for next year’s edition. 

More Information: https://soapboxsciencetuebingen.github.io/