Soapbox Science 2020 Online

Soapbox: Did you choose a scientific career or did the scientific career choose you?

Miranda Bradshaw: From the age of 6 I wanted to be an astronaut, so in that sense I chose the scientific career. However, when I studied physics at university I realised quite how much more to physics there was! Carrying out cool experiments in the lab, and learning in lectures about particles that do something different if you watch them, convinced me to stay on Earth. At least for a bit longer 😉

SB: What was the key moment that brought you to the place where you are today?

MB: One of my lecturers in my favourite subject at university put me in contact with a professor who was looking for a Masters student. He had a project designing a new type of space instrumentation that used a laser; I was hooked.

SB: What is your scientific superhero power? Or what superhero would be?

MB: I would be Captain Marvel (thanks, Kerry!). She has loads of awesome powers, including durability and strength, which you need to keep going when things are going wrong in the lab. She also has the ‘weakness’ of human feelings, which I think is important for scientists – don’t forget who the science is ultimately for!

SB: What is the most exciting aspect of your research?

MB: Knowing that everything I work on is a step towards an instrument that will fly in space and study the universe.

SB: If you were stranded on a desert island, what scientific equipment would you bring with you?

MB: A laser, because they look cool, sound cool, and are cool.  It wouldn’t be of much use for foraging food, but maybe I could think of something when I was there.  I’d also bring a big novel, for when I needed a break from raft-building, foraging, chasing wild pigs, etc.

SB: What challenges do you encounter in science?

MB: A lot of people think I’m younger than I am, which I think happens quite a lot to women in science.  As such, I often get treated (by men) as though I am a student, and I have to work twice as hard to get my voice heard.  

Gender is also another challenge, unfortunately.  Feeling and being constantly judged as the representative for “women” in workshops and at conferences requires mental strength, confidence (faked or otherwise), and a kick-ass dress (shout-out to Shenova Fashion)!

SB: What motivates you to give a talk in Soapbox Science?

MB: When I was younger I saw no other female scientists in books, on the TV, or on the radio.  I want to help break that trend by being another woman speaking about her work in science, and showing how normal we are!  Also, before I went to university I didn’t know how broad physics is, and I want to share that with others to encourage new people into an amazing field.

SB: Do you have a few words to inspire other women or young scientists?

MB: I will let Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, speak for me: “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.  It’s your place in the world; it’s your life.  Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.”  

SB:In these quarantine days, what funny/interesting experiments, books, talks or podcast can you recommend to our audience?

MB: I really loved ‘How to Survive a Plague’, by David France.  It’s a combination of scientists and self-taught ‘citizen’ scientists working together to hunt down and understand the cause of a global pandemic.  Topical!

I also highly recommend ‘The Guilty Feminist’ podcast. This has got me through some tough days of my career, and reminds me to not take life too seriously.