CEPLAS at Soapbox Science Rheinland 2025

01/07/2025

Three CEPLAS women early-career researchers brought plant science to the public – sharing their research with passion and sparking curiosity.

Soapbox Science Rheinland Returns for Its Sixth Edition

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, the Rhine promenade at Düsseldorf’s Old Harbour turned into an open-air stage for science. For the third time in Düsseldorf and the sixth time overall, CEPLAS co-organised the event Soapbox Science Rheinland, bringing research directly to the public.

From 1:00 to 4:00 PM, twelve women scientists from a range of STEM disciplines presented their research in short, engaging talks — outdoors, without PowerPoint or podiums, but with eye-catching props, passion, and direct interaction with the audience.

Plant Science in the Spotlight – Three CEPLAS Researchers on the Soapbox

CEPLAS was represented by three early-career researchers from the plant sciences:

Jana Peter explored the topic of photosynthesis under pressure in her talk “One protein under pressure.” She explained why some plants are more efficient at photosynthesis — particularly in warm regions — and what makes the difference at the molecular level.
Ganiyat Temitope Akinade asked, “Sick maize, smart fungi – what if fungi could sniff out plant nutrients?” Her talk shed light on the maize smut fungus Ustilago maydis, which detects host-derived nutrients — and how this insight could help improve plant disease resistance.
Zarah Sorger invited the audience to a hidden world in her talk “Life on the edge – how fungi fight to survive on leaves.” Much like the skin on our bodies, leaf surfaces host a rich microbial life. She offered a glimpse into this microscopic battlefield and its ecological significance.

Making Science Visible, Accessible, and Engaging

The event was co-organised by the Excellence Clusters CEPLAS, ML4Q, and CECAD. It reflects the ongoing collaboration between the Universities of Düsseldorf and Cologne in science communication, with the aim of making current research visible and accessible — right in the heart of public life — while promoting a more inclusive and open scientific culture.

Soapbox Science is an international outreach format founded in 2011 in London by two researchers, inspired by the famous Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park. Soapbox Science Rheinland was launched in 2020 and now rotates annually between Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Bonn.

The initiative aims to make science accessible to everyone, challenge stereotypes in academia, and highlight the work of women and non-binary scientists in public spaces.

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