INSPIRATIONAL female scientists from the University of Reading and beyond will gather in Broad Street next weekend (June 8) to give shoppers the opportunity to hear about cutting edge research and highlight the work of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).

The event will be part of Soapbox Science, which is returning to the town for the first time since 2016.

The interactive experience aims to bring advances in science as well as celebrate the work of women in STEMM.

Dr Manuela Gonzalez Suarez, lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Reading, sits on the organising committee of this year's event.

He said: "We are very excited to bring Soapbox Science back to Reading and to provide a platform to local, inspirational female scientists.

"Studies have shown that women leave science at a higher rate and achieve less scientific prestige than men due to implicit bias on gender stereotypes in STEMM.

"We hope this event will go some way to changing that, challenging gender stereotypes in certain science careers and inspiring a new generation of scientists to consider pursuing a career in STEMM.

"This will be a great opportunity to meet and network with leading scientists and to enjoy, question and explore recent scientific works.

"Events are open to the public free of charge, just bring your curiosity along."

Among the many speakers on the day, there are six female scientists from the University of Reading.

Dr. Sofia Gripenberg will be examining what a forest without insects would look like; Dr. Nandini Vasudeva will talk about human behaviour; Dr Vicky Boult will be exploring an elephant's appetite; Ms Chanida Fung will talk about insect diversity; Ms Rachael Chandler will talk about Parkinson's disease; Dr Julia Vogt will talk about our fears and Dr Joanna Clark will be asking whether soil, grass and trees can help manage flooding.

Soapbox Science was founded in 2011 by Dr Nathalie Pettorelli (Institute of Zoology) and Dr Seirian Sumner (University of Bristol).

Since then, more than 140,000 people have attended Soapbox Science events across the world, with 85 per cent rating them as enjoyable or extremely enjoyable and more than a third stating the event had an impact on their awareness of women in science.

This year is set to be the biggest in Soapbox Science's history, with 500 women participating in 42 events across 13 countries.

The event will come to Broad Street, Reading between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday June 8.

For more information, visit http://soapboxscience.org/soapbox-science-2019-reading/.