Our experience at Soapbox Science Tübingen

Last weekend, two members of our research group, Dr. Maydel Fernandez-Alonso and Carolina Guidolin, stepped out of the lab and into the heart of Tübingen to take part in Soapbox science. This is an international science communication event that aims to break down barriers between scientists and the public, highlighting the work of women and non-binary researchers through engaging, accessible talks – no slides, no podium, just a soapbox and a lot of curiosity.

Maydel spoke about the circadian central clock, and how it is synchronised by light in the environment. She also explained how the duration or period of the internal clock changes between individuals, and how this relates to the times we fall asleep. As a visual aid, she brought a large handmade clock where visitors could place a pin to show what time they usually fall asleep, which was a fun way to draw people in and to see the diversity of sleep times among individuals.

Carolina talked about how light exposure affects our physical and mental health, with a specific focus on sleep. She also explained how researchers measure personal light exposure in real-world settings and the challenges involved in capturing reliable data outside the lab.

The event was an opportunity not just to share our science, but to listen to people’s experiences and questions. We had lively conversations, unexpected questions, and generally a lot of fun!