EUTOPIA_HEALTH Project Partners to celebrate European Researchers' Night 2024: 27th September, 2024

On September 27, the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project proudly participated in this year’s Researchers' Night, engaging audiences across Cluj, Lisbon, and Ljubljana. The event offered a unique opportunity to present the project and showcase health research to the public. 

In Cluj, the evening was filled with interactive, health-related activities that captivated visitors of all ages. Researchers from Babes-Bolyai University demonstrated the "ReThink" game, designed to help young people regulate their emotions, and showcased therapeutic robots in action. Attendees also had the chance to dive into the microscopic world by examining tissue samples and learning how the humble fruit fly (Drosophila) contributes to significant disease research. In collaboration with the Faculty of Sports, we offered interactive movement sessions, encouraging everyone to embrace physical activity while exploring the connections between health and science. 

In Lisbon, the National Museum of Natural History and Science hosted public outreach activities for the EUTOPIA HEALTH project in partnership with NOVA FCT. At Oeiras Marina, we also showcased ITQB NOVA’s Citizen Science project, focused on monitoring beach water quality: the SeaMic project. Visitors learned about the technology behind the monitoring device and its applicability, and everyone was encouraged to actively contribute to this initiative, which aims to positively impact both the environment and public health. In a municipality where the beaches are both a tourist attraction and a source of well-being for residents, this project is of great importance to the citizens of Oeiras and to Portugal as a whole. 

In Ljubljana, in the Center ROG, the event focused on exploring the vital connection between sleep and nutrition. Experts from the University of Ljubljana shared surprising insights into the importance of sleep quality, particularly highlighting how sleep disturbances can significantly affect children with developmental disorders and their caregivers. Additionally, researchers demonstrated the hidden sugars in everyday foods and drinks, showcasing their impact on body composition. Attendees could step on a portable scale to assess their body composition and test their grip strength using a dynamometer, providing insights into overall muscle health and longevity. The event emphasised practical ways to balance sleep and nutrition for a healthier lifestyle. 

The night was a success, allowing us to engage with the community and spark curiosity about the vital role of health research in our daily lives. 

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.