Inspired by the iconic Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park in London, this unique global event is shining a spotlight on science, turning public spaces into arenas for vibrant discussions on cutting-edge discoveries and hot-button issues. It’s science like never before—breaking out of labs and lecture halls to ignite curiosity and conversation on the streets.

On October 6th, the Soapbox Science event transformed Cape Town’s Pierhead at the V&A Waterfront into a dynamic open-air platform for learning and debate. Eleven inspiring speakers from South Africa’s leading institutions, including the University of Cape Town (UCT), shared insights on topics ranging from nuclear physics and astronomy to vaccine development and archaeology. The event brought together people from all walks of life, offering a rare chance to engage with some of the country’s most innovative scientific minds.

Leading the charge was Dr. Lucia Marchetti, a senior lecturer in UCT’s Department of Astronomy and a veteran of Soapbox Science London in 2015. Alongside Dr. Marchetti, the event was co-organized by a passionate team of women scientists: A/Prof. Elisa Nemes and Dr. Carly Young-Bailie from the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) at UCT, A./Prof. Luna Pellegri and Dr. Thuthukile Khumalo from the University of the Witwatersrand and iThemba LABS, and Dr. Rosalind Skelton from the South African Astronomical Observatory.

"Soapbox Science is an incredible opportunity to connect the public with scientists, sparking inspiration and curiosity," said Dr. Marchetti. "The public’s enthusiasm, especially the insightful questions from children, shows us that we’re making a real impact—bridging the gap between science and society beyond academic walls and challenging gender-based stereotypes in science."

Beyond showcasing groundbreaking research, Soapbox Science also equips its speakers with crucial skills in public speaking and storytelling—key elements in making science accessible to everyone. This year, the speakers honed their communication abilities with support from the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika at UCT, ensuring that the scientific dialogue was not only informative but engaging and relatable.

The Soapbox Science Cape Town event 2025 is already in the making, so stay tuned and do not miss out on next year's opportunity.