EUTOPIA_HEALTH Partners Celebrate the European Researchers' Night 2024

Europe is set to celebrate ‘European Researchers' Night ‘, on 27 September 2024, a Europe-wide celebration of science which is also the continent's largest science outreach event. In 2024 and 2025, 58 projects will be hosting activities across 25 countries. Universities and research institutes across Europe will welcome the public, offering presentations, experiments, games, discussions, and interactive sessions. This provides the chance for the common public to go behind the scenes, meet local researchers, and see how science plays a role in everyday life.

The European Researchers' Night:

• Brings research and researchers closer to the public, drawing over 1.5 million visitors across Europe and beyond each year
• Showcases excellent research projects from across Europe and beyond
• Inspires young people to pursue careers in science and research
• Highlights how research impacts our daily lives

The events are organized as local events and meetups are free and open to everyone. This interactive event lets one discover the wonders of science in a fun and interactive setting, whether you attend with family, friends, or on your own. The ‘European Researchers Night’ provides an opportunity to dive into the world of science, research, and innovation through exciting science shows, hands-on activities, games, quizzes, exhibitions, competitions, and more. The European Researchers' Night offers a unique chance to connect with people of all ages. It's an opportunity to present your research engagingly, raise awareness about its societal impact, and practice your outreach skills. Visit the website to explore full programmes and plan your visit.

EUTOPIA will join the celebrations by highlighting the EUTOPIA HEALTH project that was launched in January 2024. The University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal), and Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (Romania) are hosting the celebrations in their respective universities as part of the EUTOPIA HEALTH project. The project is in partnership with the widening universities within the alliance.

In Cluj, an evening of interactive, health-focused activities has been organized to engage visitors of all ages. Researchers from Babeș-Bolyai University are presenting the "ReThink" game, which is designed to help young people manage their emotions, along with demonstrations of therapeutic robots in action. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore the microscopic world by examining tissue samples and learning how the fruit fly (Drosophila) plays a crucial role in disease research. In partnership with the Faculty of Sports, UBB is hosting interactive movement sessions to promote physical activity while highlighting the connections between health and science.

In Lisbon, the National Museum of Natural History and Science is collaborating with NOVA FCT to organize public outreach events for the EUTOPIA HEALTH project. Meanwhile, at Oeiras Marina, they are featuring ITQB NOVA's Citizen Science project, SeaMic, which focuses on monitoring beach water quality. Visitors will get a chance to learn about the technology behind the monitoring device and its practical uses, and everyone is encouraged to participate in this initiative, aimed at benefiting both the environment and public health. Given that the beaches are a key attraction and a source of well-being for both locals and tourists, this project holds significant importance for the residents of Oeiras and Portugal overall.

At Ljubljana's City Square, the event focuses on the crucial link between sleep and nutrition. Experts from the University of Ljubljana will share fascinating insights on the importance of sleep quality, particularly emphasizing how sleep issues can greatly affect children with developmental disorders and their caregivers. Researchers will also reveal the hidden sugars in common foods and drinks, explaining their influence on body composition. Attendees can use a portable scale to assess their body composition and test their grip strength with a dynamometer, offering a glimpse into muscle health and longevity. The event highlights practical strategies for balancing sleep and nutrition to promote a healthier lifestyle. More Details.

The EUTOPIA HEALTH initiative aims to create a novel and innovative framework for the integrative academic management of health-related scientific areas, facilitating changes in the academic landscape within the European research area through a comprehensive institutional transformation. The project aims to empower institutional transformation by strengthening health-related R&I management capacity and upgrading and adapting R&I management strategies and policies within the Widening HEIs of the project consortium in line with the principles of the European research assessment reform. The EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, through its comprehensive activities, is expected to positively impact the R&I achievements, research excellence, international visibility, and funding absorption rate of the Widening consortium HEIs and the entire EUTOPIA Alliance. The event seeks to connect with the community and inspire curiosity about the essential impact of health research on our everyday lives.