Soapbox Science (co-founder with Dr Nathalie Pettorelli (ZSL); 2011–present) is a multi-award-winning science engagement and equality initiative. Public outreach events bring female and gender-minority scientists to the streets to discuss their science, raising their public profiles and putting the issue of equality in science in front of a public audience. soapboxscience.org — watch a film about it.
Athena SWAN. Seirian was Academic Lead for the Bronze Athena SWAN award for the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, and leads the Athena SWAN committee for the Division of Biosciences, UCL.
Recent articles on gender and science
- Sumner, S. & Pettorelli, N. (2021) Changing the academic system for women in science. In: Womanthology.
- Sumner, S. (2015) Four steps to killing off sexism in science. The Guardian Higher Education, September 2015.
- Pettorelli, N. & Sumner, S. (2015) Opportunity knocks for the Tories to boost gender equality in science. The Conversation, May 2015.
- Pettorelli, N. & Sumner, S. (2014) Women scientists take to their soapboxes on London’s South Bank. The Guardian, 27 June.
- Sumner, S. & Pettorelli, N. (2013) Changing the game for women in science: it’s not a one-stop-shop. The Independent.
- Pettorelli, N. & Sumner, S. (2013) On a soapbox for women in science. The Guardian.
- Pettorelli, N., Else, L. & Sumner, S. (2012) Empowering men to balance the gender gap in science. Science.
- Sumner, S. & Pettorelli, N. (2012) Top recommendations from top women in science. Nature.
- Pettorelli, N. & Sumner, S. (2011) Conservation of an endangered species: the female scientist. Guardian Higher Education.
Media interest
- The Scientist (2011) Scientist to Watch – Seirian Sumner: Wasp Whisperer
- Wired magazine (US, June 2010)