EDSCIENCE 09

Everyday Science 2009. Researchers and Research in Everyday Life

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The project “Everyday Science” aims to bring the Researchers’ night initiative, for the first time, in the Emilia-Romagna region in the occasion of the next appointment of 2009, foreseen by the European Commission for the 25th of September. The project strategy lays on the regional coverage of the initiative, both by planning a central event in Bologna and several satellite events in other towns all over the region and creating a partnership whereby all university of the region are involved and with major research institutes participating to project activities. The concept of all events is to show how research and researchers’ work are linked to daily life. Such events will be accompanied and supported by the awareness campaign aiming at informing and promoting public events and the contents related through a variety of tools and media. Impact assessment activities are also foreseen in order to measure and evaluate the perception that general public has of researchers’ profession and role of research in everyday life. A central event with regional relevance will take place in the historical centre of Bologna, where experiments and demonstrations, exhibitions and guided visits, conferences, shows and live music events are foreseen. A number of researchers, from all universities and most relevant research centres in the region and directly involved during the set up of this proposal, participate to public events, together with actors, musicians and representatives of culture. Several satellite events are planned in addition to the central one and take place in Bologna, Modena, Reggio Emilia, Ferrara, Parma, Ravenna, Faenza and Cesena. Open laboratories, conferences, music concerts and science cafés will be organised by local universities, also by creating synergies with other initiatives with the same objectives. Active support by local municipalities is foreseen.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Mixing science, culture and entertainment in a series of events is doing wonders to demystify a challenging subject and bring the public much closer to the intricacies of science.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

It is important for society to attain an understanding of science in a practical way that can be applied to daily life. The Italian Emilia-Romagna region has been bridging the gap between science and citizen: it was home to the 'Everyday science 2009. Researchers and research in everyday life' (Edscience 09) project, and the Researchers' Night initiative in September 2009.

Several local universities, research centres and municipalities contributed to the initiative, which organised public events across the region over three days. It showed how researchers and their work are relevant to the everyday world we live in, and how this contributes to the improvement of citizens' daily life.

The Researchers' Night in Emilia-Romagna was held in Bologna and seven other towns in the area. The initiative featured experiments, demonstrations, exhibitions, guided visits, open laboratories, museums, science cafes, conferences, shows and even live music events. Around 400 researchers participated in these public events, exchanging information with attendees in a setting that included testimonials, actors, dancers and musicians. Over 10 000 visitors attended these events.

The initiative aimed to attract as many people as possible and was promoted through an elaborate awareness campaign that included, among others, a website and the social and traditional media (press events, article publications, researcher interviews, a radio campaign and TV ads). Schools, teachers and graduates were also targeted through different channels.

A questionnaire was made available before, during and after the multiple events, as well as through the project website, to collect feedback. Over 550 questionnaires were completed and processed. Results revealed that the three-day event was highly appreciated and that similar events would be welcomed; it improved researchers' public image through an understanding of their work and stimulated young people to consider embarking on scientific careers.

Similar events in other regions and beyond may increase the general public's appreciation of science and help the younger generation discover new horizons, ultimately having a positive socioeconomic impact.