Meet Joanna Zawadzka

Dr Joanna Zawadzka is a research fellow at Cranfield University, where she works with geospatial analysis techniques and machine learning approaches in the context of environmental mapping and modelling. She has contributed to the creation of the Soil Information System for the Republic of Ireland; an ecosystem services assessment for the Northern Norwich Distributor Road making part of the Environmental Statement for the planned development; looked at how imagery collected from drones can help assess flood damage; and analysed how different types of urban forms may affect excess heat formation in British towns, among others. She also teaches geographical information systems (GIS), modelling environmental processes and machine learning for digital soil mapping on several MSc courses at Cranfield, including Geographical Information Management and Environmental Engineering.

Joanna will be presenting some of her work in CentreMK on Saturday 10th June. We asked her some questions to get to know her before the event

Q: Joanna, how did you get to your current position?

My career in academia is probably less typical than that of many other researchers. I obtained my MSc as a double degree between the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and Cranfield University, where I studied Multidisciplinary Studies of Protection of the Environment and Geographical Information Management. The double degree meant that I did the final year of my five-year MSc pursued at the university in Poland at Cranfield University. This was convenient, as the MSc programme at Cranfield takes only one year to complete. After completing my thesis in England, I had to write a summary of it for the Polish degree and defend it once more, this time in Polish. My sojourn away from Cranfield did not last long – a few months after I left, the GIM course director reached out to me asking whether I was available to rejoin Cranfield for a temporary research assistant position to help with some ongoing projects. I didn’t hesitate to say yes, and soon I was back! During this short-term contract, I applied for an advertised research assistantship in the department and was successful. After completing the probation period, I was offered a permanent contract. Fast forward several years, I embarked on a part-time staff PhD project and six years later was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Straight after that, I was offered an internal interview for the position of research fellow, and I have now been in this job for two years.

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

Growing up, there was always an understanding that I would go to university after graduating from high school. This was a given and there was no other option. However, it was only when I came to study the MSc in Geographical Information Management at Cranfield that I realised I wanted to stay on the academic pathway. Through my studies here I saw how research can be applied to real-life problems, which was finally fulfilling my motivation behind choosing a degree in environmental protection – ensuring that we, as humans, can live in a healthy and thriving environment. As idealistic as it seems now given the complexity of interactions between human activities and nature, this idea is still an important factor that keeps me motivated to stay in research.

Another aspect that motivated me to pursue a PhD was an observation that I made when I was a first-year student, spending summer evenings cycling with friends in the woodland growing on the outskirts of Warsaw. I would notice that after sunset, the woodland felt nice and cool, and that as we cycled towards the town and the vegetated land cover declined and built-up land cover increased, the temperature also increased. This was my first conscious observation of the changing ambient temperatures across the rural-urban gradient, and as subjective as it was, it led me to study the topic of urban heat and its mitigation in more detail during my PhD. I will be talking more about it during the Soapbox Science event in Milton Keynes.

An example of different land cover features in an area of Milton Keynes (depicted by black lines) and their land surface temperature on 6^th June 2018. Vegetated areas had a lower surface temperature than buildings. However, buildings located near extensive patches of trees and water had lower surface temperatures than buildings located away from such features. Creation of such images is possible thanks to satellites such as Landsat 8 which I used in this study. These collect land surface temperature data as well as numerous steps of spatial data processing with statistical methods and geographical information systems.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

I work a lot with data, either spatial such as satellite imagery, or non-spatial such as attributes of various environmental processes. I am fascinated by how data science and machine learning techniques can use AI (artificial intelligence) to help find patterns in large volumes of data that otherwise would be difficult to spot. A caveat here – AI still needs humans to check whether the patterns it finds make sense, which from my perspective is great as it still allows room for the intellectual stimulus that researchers love! Another great thing about what I do is the fact that very often I have entire towns and countries on my screen, and at a click of the mouse, I can derive useful information for them.

 Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

As a female scientist with a family and societal background supporting my career choices, I did not fully appreciate the difficulties that other women can face getting into academia. It was only after talking to a family member who did not choose an academic path related to her interests due to lack of self-confidence and role models who could encourage her, did I realise that we need more examples of female researchers and scientists. I have heard about Soapbox Science before, and I thought this year would be a good year to contribute and to inspire young girls to have the ambition to work in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Q: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Inspiring – both for myself and for visitors of all genders and ages visiting the event, but especially for young girls who may develop the aspiration to become a scientist.

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

Be bold, be confident, and work smart, i.e., be selective about what work you engage in. Be passionate about your work but be sure to have something else in your life – be it friends, family, or a hobby – something that will help you relax and decompress when work gets too busy. Be sure that taking a break is going to help you achieve more!

Thanks so much for chatting to us Joanna and we look forward to hearing more on the 10th June in Middleton Hall, CentreMK

What role can you play in reducing food waste?

Marta Sanzo-Miro will be speaking live in CentreMK on Saturday 10th June – here she gives us an insight into her work and life as a scientist

Have you ever thought about why you throw food away? For example, when you see a potato tuber that does not look right to you, and you decide to dispose of it – have you thought of alternatives other than throwing it away, or asked yourself why it does not look right? Have you ever wondered about how many resources went into producing that potato?

All these questions started to weigh on my mind while I was studying for my undergraduate degree in Food Science and Technology at the Universitat de Lleida (UdL, Spain). “Food” in general is a really important topic since we need to eat every day to meet our nutritional demands, but sometimes we don’t recognise how important it is. While studying for my degree, I realised that it is a broad field, and there are many aspects to focus on, all of them interesting. However, it all started when I took an optional subject in horticulture. We learnt mainly about how to store fruit and vegetables better, how to preserve their quality and meet consumers’ demands, and how to prevent physiological disorders to prevent food loss and waste. I found this subject interesting and, therefore, I did my dissertation in the field of postharvest science, investigating how to maintain the quality of nectarines for international export.  

Potato field in Ayrshire – the tubers were already “dessicated” and ready to be harvested

After my degree, I did a double master’s degree at both the Universitat de Lleida and Cranfield University. While doing the MSc thesis at Cranfield I joined the Plant Science Laboratory group and learnt about all the postharvest research going on. I was amazed!  Their research is mainly focused on understanding the physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology of fresh produce and the investigation of novel strategies to maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables during storage. The work is related to solving a real problem in our society, in this case, food loss and waste. During this time, I became very interested in the lab’s research, so I decided to stay and pursue my PhD (almost 3 years ago…time flies!). My PhD project looks at different factors, both from the field and later on in storage, that affect a specific fungal disease of potato tubers. Knowing how to control and manage this disease, either in the field or in storage, can prevent wastage in the potato industry, which saves growers lots of money and increases the sustainability of the food supply chain.

Yes, I had to be in the lab washing a lot of potatoes, and assessing them! This is how I obtained most of the data for my thesis. However, not everything happens in the lab. As a researcher, you also need to analyse this data, go to conferences, network, keep learning and take training courses. Moreover, I had the chance to visit potato fields in Scotland where I talked directly with the company I am sponsored by, Albert Bartlett, and to local farmers. All of this knowledge that I gained outside the lab/office is really valuable!

Here I am digging up potato tubers in Scotland, as part of one of my field trials in the Perth and Kinross area. The tubers were sent to Cranfield University to be assessed in the lab.

Working alongside a colleague, I am visually assessing potato tubers whilst he works on his own project

Over the last three years, I have had in mind the questions I posed at the beginning: Why do we throw food away? Does this food need to be thrown away? Can we avoid it? There are too many factors that play a role in the final quality of the product, and it is, therefore, difficult to control everything. But that’s why researchers are here, to investigate the best solution, and that is what motivates me!

However, at the end of the day, it is the consumer who buys the food product. Therefore, the first step is to make the consumer aware of what food loss and waste means; what is the cost for us, for the environment, and for the planet? There are a lot of reports mentioning the huge amount of food that is being lost, and it’s not only having an economic impact but a huge environmental one too. However, my purpose is not to bore you with the data or give you a solution and tell you what to do, but just to make you think about all of this.

Being part of the Soapbox Science MK allows me to break the stereotype of what a “scientist” looks like, lets people see what a “food scientist” does, and raises awareness of food loss and waste. I believe that if people knew about the consequences of their daily choices either at the supermarket or at home, in combination with the work that researchers are doing, we can achieve the goal of reducing food loss and waste.

Don’t miss out on finding out more from Marta – CentreMK Saturday 10th June

The Pestiest Pest

Peggy McGroary took some time to write a blog post for us ahead of her stint on the Soapbox. She tells us about a plant that’s a MASSIVE problem.

When you think of a pest you might first think of the buzzing type that flies around and spoils your picnic, however, the real answer to ‘what is the pestiest pest’ might surprise you. In fact, the answer might change depending on your food shopping habits, but if you’re a particular lover of cotton shirts or have recently switched to some plant-alternative foods then you might be most alarmed to hear that it is these products that call this pest its archenemy. The pest in question is not in fact an insect, but a weed named Palmer’s amaranth (or Amaranthus palmeri if you’re feeling fancy).

Palmer’s amaranth has been recognised by weed scientists in a survey by the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) to be the most troublesome weed in North American fields¹. Strangely, this species was originally harvested as a crop, since not only are the stems and leaves nutritious, the plants themselves grow very big, very quickly, and are very good at producing seeds that can also be eaten². Unfortunately, nowadays these plants are more likely to be treated like a pest because… well, they grow very big, very quickly, and produce a lot of seeds. A LOT of seeds. In fact, a single plant can produce up to 600,000, which all have the possibility of growing into a new plant³. And grow they will, because Palmer’s amaranth is possibly the most aggressively fast growing and competitive plant of its type. Compared to its cultivated competitor, cotton, which can grow 13-20 centimetres in a couple of weeks, in the same amount of time, Palmer’s can grow 30-46 centimetres².

Amaranthus palmeri (Palmer amaranth) with field worker, Mark VanGessel, for scale. Delaware, USA. August 2012. ©University of Delaware Carvel rec/via Flickr – CC BY 2.0

But, all of this is fine, because we’ve obviously been dealing with these weeds for years and know what we’re doing, right? Well, almost. Truthfully, these weeds are primarily managed with the use of chemicals called herbicides. These chemicals are designed to target only the weeds and not the crops in each field, thereby not hurting the food production in the field. Unfortunately, these chemicals are becoming less effective because the weeds are developing herbicide resistance. Herbicide resistance is a trait that can evolve after exposure to herbicides, these genes then allow these plants to better survive. When this exposure to the same type of herbicide happens across multiple years and generations, this trait will be favoured for and become more common as the plant spreads. Herbicide resistant weeds then become a massive problem as applying herbicides becomes less effective⁴. Palmer’s amaranth was confirmed to have developed resistance to a very important herbicide called glyphosate in 2006. This was very bad since glyphosate can target many different types of weeds and is often used in emergencies when other herbicides are no longer effective – due to herbicide resistance⁵. As you can imagine, that’s a big problem.

The scariest part is that, at least for the time being, we don’t really have a way to counter this. Making new herbicides is a very difficult and expensive process, and manually removing weeds is very impractical – imagine checking every blade of grass in your garden regularly to make sure no other plants were growing there, then and multiply that by the size of a field. Fortunately, there are people out there who are fighting to regain control of our fields. From those who monitor weed populations in fields, scientists who study them in labs, politicians who support farmers, to farmers themselves who deal directly with the problem, there are thousands of people who know about this problem and are working to deal with it, and I am one of them.

I am a weed molecular biologist by trade, this means that I study the basis behind biological phenomena. In my case I use changes in gene expression to validate the role of genes that we suspect are involved in herbicide resistance. I do this by switching these genes ‘on’ and ‘off’ in weed species and then observing the effect on the characteristics of the plant. This allows us to determine if a gene performs the function we expect it to. Once we understand the genetic basis of herbicide resistance, we can develop better strategies to manage weeds in the future. For example, we may be able to predict what herbicides would be effective for each weed population and avoid the spread of resistant varieties.

So, though Palmer’s amaranth is a tricky competitor, the fight is already on to defeat it. And soon, hopefully, this pest will be slightly less pesty.

If you want to learn more you can catch Peggy on her Soapbox on Saturday the 10th June in centre MK

1. https://www.agweb.com/news/crops/crop-production/worst-weeds-ranked
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranthus_palmeri
3. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.4649
4. Molecular Mechanisms of Herbicide Resistance in Weeds. J. Torra and R. Alcántara-de la Cruz. Genes 2022 Vol. 13 Issue 11 Page 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fgenes13112025.
5. Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) confirmed in Georgia. Culpepper AS, Grey TL, Vencill WK, Kichler JM, Webster TM, Brown SM, et al. (2006). Weed Sci. 54 (4): 620–626.

Call for volunteers!

In just over three weeks time CentreMK will be awash with scientists sharing their passion for all things STEM!

As the speakers prepare their props and hone their public speaking skills things are also busy behind the scenes. On the day the spotlight will most definitely be on our fantastic speakers but it really does take a village to put on these events. This is where you come in!

The event needs more than just the Soapbox speakers. We need lots of help putting the event together and running it on the day. We need people to support the speakers, count visitors, hand out information, help with the crowd, conduct surveys and more!

If you would like to be involved behind the scenes we will also need plenty of volunteers to help us run the event on the day.

If you are interested in volunteering then please complete the form on the link below:

Soapbox Science MK Volunteer Application Form 2023

Meet Elisa Oliveira da Costa

We caught up with Elisa Oliveira da Costa, one of our speakers from this year’s Soapbox Science Milton Keynes event to ask her some questions in the run-up to the event

Elisa is a second-year PhD student at the Open University. She is funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions within the FluidNET project. She achieved a BSc in Geology and an MSc in Geochemistry at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil, where her research focused on the constraining pressure and temperature conditions of different metamorphic rocks formed when South America and Africa collided to form Gondwana. Currently, she is investigating how different melting reactions and conditions affect the release of certain critical elements like lithium into the melt, which we then extract by mining.

What the rocks want to tell you

Q: How did you get to your current position?

When I finished my MSc there were about ten PhD positions with projects that I found interesting. I applied to all of them, got five interviews, and finally, one offer!

Q: What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

There was no single thing that inspired me, and it took me quite a long time to realise it was what I wanted to do. Before my final year of high school, I wanted to become an engineer because I liked maths and the sciences. Then in my final year, my school organised several presentations from different professionals and the very first talk was from an engineer who talked about how his entire focus was on enhancing the design of a product to optimise profit. I gave up on the idea of getting an engineering degree then and there, but it is funny now how I realise that there is nothing wrong with what that guy does and that not all engineers are the same. Anyway, after his presentation, I concluded that what inspired me was understanding how things work. So, I decided to stay in academia long before I decided to become a geologist. Geology came to me very effortlessly by popping up in my science classes: the chemistry of oil; why the coal in Brazil and the US is different; the main geomorphological provinces in Brazil and how they relate to the biome.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

The most fascinating aspect of geology is that sometimes nature tells you what she wants to tell you. If you know anything about the scientific method, you know that scientists formulate a question and a hypothesis, then get some (rock) samples to analyse, or do some experiments to see if their hypotheses are true. However, sometimes rocks don’t have that one thing you want to analyse, or they have it, plus a different thing.  They may have a nice texture that no one has seen before, or your experiments show you different things than you were expecting. Just like that, nature calls your attention to what she wants to tell you. 

Q: What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

I guess the stereotype of an old male with slightly crazy tendencies, a white lab coat, and a blackboard full of hardcore mathematics is common when people picture mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. There is nothing wrong with this if people also understand that scientists wear all kinds of clothing and that they work and study in lots of different environments. However, I think that people do hold that stereotypical idea, so I joined Soapbox Science because it is the perfect activity to challenge these stereotypes.

Q: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Attention. A focus on communicating science to people with different backgrounds; attention to science, particularly, in my case, to geology (and specifically to my topic of research); people paying attention to scientists and scientists paying attention to the public.

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

I would change the fact that article fees only go to publishing companies and not to the authors, reviewers, or even the funding agencies.

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

Be aware of people’s biases. Don’t get me wrong, we need to fight bias and just by being in certain places, we do. Sometimes when it becomes too loud, we do need to speak up and act. However, fighting bias often is extremely tiring, especially when it results in microaggressions, or when you belong to a minority. So, I recommend being aware of people’s biases so that you know, for example, when to exit an interaction, when to act ‘politically’ or freely, and when others will hear if you speak up. 

Thanks for chatting with us Elisa, we can’t wait to hear more at our event in Centre MK, Milton Keynes, on Saturday 9th June. We hope to see you there!

Meet Madara Premawardhana

Madara Premawardhana is one of our fantastic speakers at this year’s SoapboxScience MK event. We asked her to tell us a bit more about herself so we can get to know her before the event!

Madara Premawardhana was born and raised in Sri Lanka and is a first-year PhD student in computing in the School of Computing at the University of Buckingham. Prior to this, Madara completed her undergraduate education at the University of Moratuwa, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Information Technology. After graduating she gained professional experience as a Senior Software Engineer at SimCentric Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, a company specialising in military simulation technologies

Sharpest arrows in my quiver

Experience of being a first-year PhD student in Computing

Have you ever found yourself staring at a long list of tasks, feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start? Well, as a first-year PhD student in computing, I can definitely relate. The journey has been both exciting and challenging, and staying organised and motivated has been the sharpest arrow in my quiver.

One of the first lessons I learned was about Parkinson’s Law. It’s amazing how work expands to fill the time available for its completion. So, I quickly realised the importance of setting realistic deadlines. I stopped giving myself too much time for each task, as it only led to procrastination. Instead, I started allocating reasonable timeframes, and I was surprised at how much I could accomplish when I had a clear deadline in mind.

Screenshot of Madara’s schedule, which is synchronized across devices to help her keep track of her work

Another aspect that I quickly discovered was the significance of taking care of my mental and physical health. Graduate school can be demanding, and it’s easy to neglect self-care. However, I learned that getting enough sleep and eating healthy, nutritious food is crucial for maintaining energy and focus. When I started prioritising my well-being, I found I was more productive and better equipped to tackle the challenges of my research work.

Of course, staying organised is also vital. I experimented with different organisational systems until I found one that worked best for me. I find a digital calendar is incredibly helpful to keep track of tasks and deadlines. I also made it a habit to create a to-do list each day, prioritising my tasks and allocating sufficient time for each one. This has helped me stay focused and ensures that I don’t overlook anything important.

To further enhance my productivity, I dedicate specific days of the week to different types of tasks. For instance, I reserve Mondays for the more challenging aspects of my research work, when I feel freshest and most motivated. Fridays have become my designated day for more experimental or interesting work, allowing me to end the week on a high note. This strategy has helped me maintain a sense of structure and made my workload more manageable.

In addition to these personal strategies, I actively seek out like-minded individuals who share my passion for research and are also organised and motivated. Whether they are fellow researchers, colleagues, or friends, having a support system is invaluable. We hold each other accountable, share tips and advice, and provide encouragement when needed. Surrounding myself with such positive influences has helped me stay motivated and on track.

It’s important to remember that in this journey, my only competition is with myself. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing myself to others, but I have realised that it’s counterproductive. Instead, I choose to focus on my own progress and growth. Every small achievement, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is worth celebrating. By embracing this mindset, I maintain a positive outlook and continue moving forward toward my research goals.

So being a first-year PhD student in computing requires a strong sense of organisation and productivity. It’s a continuous learning process, but the effort I have invested has been truly rewarding. By setting realistic deadlines, prioritising my health, finding an organisational system that works for me, surrounding myself with like-minded individuals, and focusing on my personal progress, I’ve been able to navigate this journey with confidence and a sense of accomplishment. If you’re just starting out or looking to improve your own research work, I encourage you to implement these tips today and experience the difference it can make.

You will be able to hear Madara talk more about her work at our event in Centre MK on the 10th June. We’d love to see you all there!

2023 Soapbox Science MK speaker announcement

We are thrilled to announce this year’s lineup of outstanding female scientists. This year we have 11 excellent presenters sharing their knowledge and passion about diverse science topics, from potatoes and weeds, to mud and metal, urban heat, mathematics, seaweed and more. 

Don’t miss out on all the fun, come and listen to them share their passion for science:

Date:  Saturday 10^th June 2023

Location: Centre MK, Milton Keynes

Time: 12 – 3pm

Selected from a competitive pool of researchers, our 11 speakers will share their work in technology, science, medicine and engineering. The speakers and their discussion topics are

Ishrat Jahan Badruddin, Cranfield University,

“Manufacturing UK/European based sustainable seaweed fibres for various applications”

Madara Premawardhana, (@MadaraPre ), University of Buckingham,

“Digital twins – a journey to a virtual world to explore more possibilities”

Marta Sanzo-Miró, (@sanzo-miro ), Cranfield University,

“Spudtacular” solutions: how can we help reducing food loss and waste in the potato industry?”

Dr Corina Lees, Cranfield University,

“Even a strong material like metal can be damaged”

Aver Hemben, (@hemben_aver ), Cranfield University,

“Very tiny bits of metal helping to transport drugs?”

Peggy McGroary, (@PeggyMcgroary ), Rothamsted Research,

“Weed Science: The art of killing the unkillable”

Gemma Shaw, (@Enviro_Gem_ ), Cranfield University,

“From dirt to drinking water: following the underground journeys of ‘forever chemicals’”

Lamis Onsy, Cranfield University,

“Can aircraft be silent?”

Elisa Oliveira da Costa, (@EOdaCosta ), The Open University,

“From mud to solar panels, batteries and wind turbines”

Dr Joanna Zawadzka, (@GeoMapperJo ), Cranfield University,

“Urban heat and what can we do about it?”

Imane El-Fartassi, Rothamsted Research,

“Understanding farmers’ behaviour using mathematics”

Jehan Ghafuri: My Soapbox Science experience

When I was planning my talk, I wasn’t sure about how I could use props to bring the message I wanted to deliver to life and interact with the audience.  I realised that communicating my research topic whilst working within a tight time slot in the tricky space of the shopping centre and with such a diverse audience was going to be quite a challenge!  The training day provided by the Soapbox Science MK committee members helped and inspired me to plan a general outline of my talk and to think about suitable props.  I felt that it wouldn’t be a good idea to use medical images, especially for kids and young adults, and it was an easy decision to avoid using advanced mathematical terms. Luckily, my research topic can be adapted to natural images as well, and I decided to use familiar examples that everyone would be able to relate to for a smooth opening to introduce my work in medical imaging.

Talking on my soapbox and making very good use of my helper!

The beauty of this event is being able to speak about your research topic informally and naturally, adapting the content to the knowledge and interests of the audience in the moment. I decided to pitch the talk roughly depending on the age groups coming along, and then wait for their interaction to give further details. I had prepared printed images as props for five different levels – from the simplest through to complex ultrasound image examples – and this allowed me to highlight the importance of having a robust and efficient computer-based diagnosis system.

I really enjoyed talking about my research, and I was delighted to see that people cared about my research topic and were curious about the deployment of such tools in healthcare systems.  The first few minutes on the Soapbox were the most difficult as I was constantly wondering if my audience were interested, and if they understood or could relate to what I was talking about. The positive interaction I received was beyond my expectations, and I realised that the materials I had prepared were suitable for the event.

Tired but happy after the event

My allocated time was an hour, but somehow it felt like only a couple of minutes! I thoroughly enjoyed the vibe on the Soapbox, and I loved all the positive feedback from committee members, volunteers, and the audience.  The experience made me remember how used to talk about STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) tirelessly in the past, and how much I had loved it.  I was always keen to motivate my undergraduate students about mathematics and how empowering it could be for their future careers.  Soapbox Science brought back the sparkle I needed to continue encouraging younger generations to discover their abilities, skills, and passions. Even the smallest uplift can have a huge impact and pave the way to a different life.

I am so proud to be part of the Soapbox Science family and I will cherish this extraordinary experience for many years to come. I enjoyed listening to the other fantastic speakers on the day, and I was amazed by their creative props, talks, and research. Courtesy and appreciation go to the most amazing committee members for their efforts, support, and for inspiring us to share our passion for our research.

Danielle Roche reflects on Soapbox Science MK 2022

This year saw Soapbox Science MK return to centre MK with our first in-person event since 2019. We asked Danielle Roche, one of this year’s amazing speakers, to reflect on the event and tell us about her experience:

How did you feel leading up to the event?

I had prepared my talk and crochet molecules and practised with friends a few times before the event to make sure my topic was easily understood by people with many different backgrounds. I was not only excited to share my knowledge with MK shoppers but I was also excited to share a soil story using everyday items such as a kitchen sponge to depict the soil; it was a last-minute prop that actually worked out to be the most useful! It was an exciting event to prepare for because it was a complete switch up to the everyday PhD writing and data analysis tasks that I’m currently focusing on. It was a fun challenge to give myself in terms of stepping out of the focused academic world and into the accessible world of science.  

How did you feel on the Soapbox?

It’s a little challenging at first because you have to start sharing your story without an audience in order to gain the audience. After only a short while there was already a crowd listening to my story which was fantastic, I had people to look towards when talking and I really got into it. I had multiple props including a picture with a question at the end of my talk not only to engage with the audience but also as a personal check to see whether what I was saying made sense and I’m pleased to tell you that the right answer was always chosen!

How did you feel once you stepped off the Soapbox?

When on the soapbox I felt as though I was running on adrenaline, constantly chatting about soil and engaging with passers-by and so in a small way it was a relief to step off of the soapbox so that I could soak in the fantastic atmosphere of science on the streets! I instantly felt really proud of what I had achieved on the soapbox and in the following weeks as I shared my experience with friends and family, I realised what a rewarding and exciting opportunity it was for me to share my story of soil on the soapbox.

Meet Sophia Bahddou

Sophia Bahddou is a Rural Engineer (Water, Environment and Infrastructures) who graduated from Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary in Rabat. She holds an MSc degree in Integrated Planning for Rural Development and Environmental Management (Cum Maxima Laude distinction and Extraordinary Master’s Thesis Award) from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza of the International Centre of Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, and the University of Lleida. She is currently doing her PhD research in the School of Water, Energy and Environment at Cranfield University in collaboration with Rothamsted Research and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco.

Sophia in the soils lab of the “Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD-CSIC)” research institution in Zaragoza, Spain, as part of her MSc thesis in 2019.

Sophia, how did you get to your current position?

My undergraduate and Masters’s studies allowed me to develop my scientific knowledge and practical skills, as well as my interpersonal and communication skills. During the writing-up phase of my Master’s thesis, I applied for my PhD which I had seen advertised on social media and academic websites. I went through the whole process, was selected for the interview, and was thrilled when the jury members said that I was their favourite candidate.

What, or who, inspired you to get a career in science?

I have always been inspired by scientists who conduct good research. What do I mean by ‘good’ research? Coherence, logic, and honesty. Yes, honesty! How can scientists be called scientists if they aren’t honest in their methodology and results? If we go back in history, there are many inspiring stories of successful female scientists.

I remember when I had to choose a topic for both my graduation project and my master’s thesis, I was looking for a scientific subject that would bring a contribution to knowledge, and not a simple topic which had already been covered by previous students. This was probably one of the main things that encouraged me to get a career in scientific research. My parents especially have had a great impact on my academic choices, thanks to their continuous support and encouragement. One of the most motivating things they have ever said to me was: “Given all your skills and capabilities, we never worry about your future”.

Q: What is the most fascinating aspect of your research/work?

Sophia in the erosion lab at Cranfield University, running a rainfall simulator on erosion trays filled with soil, as part of her PhD experiments in 2020.

There are many aspects that are fascinating about my research:

It is exciting to work on soil erosion, a phenomenon which is one of the foremost agro-environmental problems worldwide affecting the natural ecosystem. Soil is a living system that provides nutrients essential for plant growth. Only 12% of the Earth’s surface is suitable for agricultural use, and this makes it clear how precious the soil resource is, and the need to preserve it to secure food in a sustainable way.

The PhD experience at Cranfield University has allowed me to develop my research mindset and build scientific hypotheses that can be tested in the laboratory. I have also been fortunate to learn all about statistics at Rothamsted Research, enabling me to analyse my data correctly.

Doctoral activities and social events have allowed me to socialise with other researchers and build a rich network. Co-hosting the Cranfield annual conference was one of the greatest experiences I have had. It was related to climate change in alignment with the COP26 event. It was a TV show-style event where we had to deal with cameras, screens, lights, and nerves!

Sophia co-hosting the Cranfield Doctoral Network’s annual conference “Road to COP26” in Grenville Turner Studios in 2021

What attracted you to Soapbox Science in the first place?

Although I have presented my work on several occasions both internally (Cranfield, Rothamsted and the UM6P) and externally (conferences, workshops, forums and PhD competitions), I honestly hadn’t heard of Soapbox Science until my supervisor Professor Jane Rickson suggested that I take part. I think it’s an excellent opportunity to promote the visibility of women in science, and challenge public (and academic) perceptions of who a scientist is. I am excited to explain my work in simple words, addressing it to people of all ages with no background in the subject. I participated in the 3MT (three-minute thesis) competition at Cranfield University where we had to present our research in just 180 seconds in an engaging way that could be understood by a non-specialist audience, It was an honour for me to win 2^nd prize (judges’ choice).

Q: Sum up in one word your expectations for the day

Inspiration!

I hope to inspire girls and women to pursue a career in science and be a researcher and/or an academic.

Sophia presenting her PhD poster in the International Erosion Control Association – Annual conference in Minneapolis, USA in 2022

Q: If you could change one thing about the scientific culture right now, what would it be?

There are many aspects that could be improved, such as work-life balance, collaboration, enhancement, etc. But if I had to choose one thing it would be to make scientific resources open access and free of charge. After all, we do research so we can share knowledge with everyone who is interested.

Q: What would be your top recommendation to a woman studying for a PhD and considering pursuing a career in academia?

Defend your ideas but be open to advice and recommendations from professionals and experienced researchers and academics.

Don’t be afraid of challenges. These are what make things exciting!

It’s OK not to be OK. If everything is perfectly fine, then you are not doing it right 😊