VISITORS to the seafront can expect a little more than the usual fare of buckets and spades and fish and chips when the Soapbox Scientists return this summer.

A dozen female scientists will be stepping on to their soapbox for the second event in Brighton to deliver short and entertaining talks on their area of expertise.

Beachgoers will get the chance to learn more about exploding stars, wind- buffeted bees, medically minded robots and a host of other fascinating subjects when Soapbox Science comes to town on Saturday, June 2, between 11am and 2pm.

Organiser Dr Katy Petherick, public engagement co-ordinator at the University of Sussex, said: “This year we have a wonderful line-up of really talented scientists who will be speaking about a wide range of subjects.

“Scientists are increasingly passionate about the important role of engaging the public in their work and there is no better place to do that than on a busy Brighton beach – as long as the sun is shining.”

The call has now gone out for a team of up to volunteers to help assist the scientists on the day.

Volunteers will be asked to play a crucial role in attracting beachgoers to the Soapbox talks, assisting scientists with any props, handing out goodies to audience members and gathering feedback data to help monitor the success of the event.

Soapbox Science, which launched in London in 2011, is inspired by the concept of Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park and aims to celebrate women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine), break down barriers and challenge the image of a stereotypical STEMM researcher.

In its first seven years, it has spread to more than a dozen UK towns and cities and even reached halfway round the world to Australia.

The University of Sussex helped bring Soapbox Science to Brighton for the first time last July when 12 academics braved unseasonable weather to bring science to the masses.

This year’s event will be held in the flexible event space to the west of the i360 tower on Brighton seafront.