From Fruit Flies to the Seashore: EUTOPIA_HEALTH across Europe’s Researchers’ Night 2025

On 26th September 2025, the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project brought Health-related research to the public for the second year in a row at the European Researchers’ Night. Across Cluj-Napoca, Ljubljana, and Oeiras, researchers engaged citizens with interactive demonstrations, citizen science showcases, and open discussions, turning science into a shared experience between universities and their local communities. 

In Cluj-Napoca, EUTOPIA_HEALTH brought health research closer to the public through two interactive spaces. At one location, visitors explored how the fruit fly (Drosophila) helps researchers understand diseases, observing mutations, developmental stages, and even fluorescently stained tissues under the microscope. They also joined in real-time pulse monitoring during a lively tennis match and played games highlighting the benefits of physical activity for health. To round off the evening, children – and not only – had the chance to send their own questions about health to the researchers, which will be answered at next year’s event, keeping the dialogue alive between science and the community. At the other location, attendees discovered hands-on opportunities to engage in health research through Babeș-Bolyai University’s Citizen Science Platform and shared which activities they’d feel comfortable trying—from simple data collection to study design and research-question formulation—to better understand how citizens can team up with health researchers to make impactful contributions to health science. Visitors also had the chance to learn more about Radon Care, a citizen-science project featured through EUTOPIA_HEALTH. They spoke directly with researchers about radon risks and practical prevention tips, turning questions about radon health risks into everyday risk-reduction actions. 

In Ljubljana, research team from Biotechnical faculty prepared an interactive knowledge stand, demonstrating the technology of insect bioconversion with the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Visitors of the Researchers’ night, most of whom were elementary and high school students, eagerly listened to the team talk about innovative technologies of bioconversion, learned about and observed the black soldier fly on the stand. The bravest of visitors and their pets also tried edible snacks made from insects, which was a fun opportunity to see and taste the science!  



In Oeiras (Lisbon’s district), visitors gathered at the Marina by the ocean to explore the latest findings of the SeaMic Citizen Science project. Over the past months, researchers from ITQB NOVA improved a testing device, thanks to crucial input of citizens, so it can now be used directly on the beach with real seawater samples. Children, teenagers and adults learned about the public health risks of water contamination, discovered the principle behind the test, and even tried the equipment themselves. Beyond the excitement of testing, visitors recognized the importance of science in everyday life, such as ensuring safe beach days in summer.