Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MadridERN2014-2015 (European Researachers\' Night in Madrid 2014-2015)

Teaser

Under the motto “Supporting researchers, supporting the progress in Europe”, the European Researchers’ Night in Madrid 2014-2015, highlighted the importance of researchers’ work, its contribution to the progress and welfare of the European Society and the need of...

Summary

Under the motto “Supporting researchers, supporting the progress in Europe”, the European Researchers’ Night in Madrid 2014-2015, highlighted the importance of researchers’ work, its contribution to the progress and welfare of the European Society and the need of getting support by the citizens. A democratic and participative society indeed requires the involvement of citizens in scientific and technological issues.
Researchers from the cutting-edge research centres in Madrid Region had the opportunity of showing their work, knowledge, interests, personal profiles, hobbies and enthusiasm. They shared all this to the public in a playful and fun atmosphere.
Although all the activities addressed the public at large in all its components, a strong focus was put on young people, in particular those not having yet chosen their career orientation. Students and children had the unique opportunity of meeting researchers and entrepreneurs, asking questions, debating and being an active part of the activities.
The broad range of activities offered included workshops, hands-on experiments, science shows, competitions, exhibitions, chats and speed-dating with researchers, quizzes, movies..., all conceived in such a way to attract the general public whichever their age and scientific background and allowing an active involvement of the visitors.
A large range of scientific disciplines was represented. Gender balanced was also taken into account.
Different European corners illustrated the advantages of the transnational research, with the presence of Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows and researchers of EU-funded projects sharing with the public their experiences working and living in Madrid.
Common actions were also performed together with other European Researchers’ Nights in Europe and in Spain.

Work performed

\"AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Target audiences
o Public at large regardless of age and scientific background;
o Special attention to be paid to students (university, secondary schools, pupils in primary schools), parents, schoolteachers;
o Also focus on other collective non directly related to research activities;

Messages conveyed
o Researchers are amongst us;
o Researchers are ordinary people with an extraordinary job;
o Supporting researchers is supporting progress in Europe;
o Research is fun and fascinating;
o Researchers can also work in the industrial world and not only in academic circles;

Main communication tools to rely on
Off line
o Conception, production and display of promotional material (10.000 leaflets/guides) in universities, libraries, cultural centres, secondary and primary schools of the Madrid region;
o Publication of several press releases communicated to media (press, radio, TV);
o Public advertising (urban furniture, notice boards, posters in public tube stations);

On line
o Revamping, constant updating an maintenance of project website;
o Revamping, updating and maintenance of social networks profiles;
o Announcements and advertisement on blogs (science and culture) and relevant national websites;

Promotional material
o Written promotional material (programmes, posters, brochures, leaflets, guides…);
o Ads, banners, websites…
o Mention of \"\"This European Researchers\' Night project is funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions\"\" on all promotional material displayed;
o Promotional gadgets (displayed through the European corner notably), complying with the general guidelines available at http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/communication/services/visual_identity/index.en.htm
o Projects located in Spain were coordinated with a common website, common visual identity, some common actions (i.e.: common press conference…etc.)

Overview of the results
o Conception, realisation of promotional material: posters of various formats, leafkets, programmes, displayed to schools, universities, public libraries, bank branches, cultural centres…, invitations;
o Public advertising : billboards, citylights in main Madrid streets, digital poles on main motorways, advertising in public transport (underground);
o Airing of announcements, promotional spots, programmes,interviews on national and regional radio and TV stations;
o Conception, relaisation of a press kit displayed to the main radio stations, newspapers, websites of science and technology and TV programmes;
o Sending of direct invitiations to over 90.000 addresees, such as researchers, students , people involved in technology parks….;
o Promotion during public events:
- Summer Course on Quality Science Dissemintation, July 2015;
- Training course on Scientific Communicatión to Chile delegation in Madrid;
- Meetings and brokerages of the Entreprise Europe Network ( EEN);
- Infodays of MSC Actions;
o Pre events: vists and display of posters in schools;
o Organisation of a press conference in the premises of the Regional Government in Madrid (22nd of September), attended by the President of the Regional Government and several researchers (including demo of drones);
o Publication of press releases by both the coordinator and the participants;
o Publication of articles, news, interviews, announcements, advertising in written press at both national and regional levels (newspapers, magazines, newsletters);
o Revamping, constant updating and maintenance of project website namely http://www.madrimasd.org/lanochedelosinvestigadores/ (info about Euroepan Researchers\'Night, activities, participants, researchers, …;
o 62.786 hits and 31.889 unique visitors on project website;
o Revamping, constant updating and mlaintenance of social network profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Flickrà and various blogs;
o 5.523 likers on Facebook, 16.555 followers on Twitter and 205 researchers\' profiles, and 1.355 pictures on Flickr;\"

Final results

\"Overview of the results
o Collection, analysis and processing of 4.152 feedbckas, including ex ante questionnaires, questionnaires dsipaleyd and filled in during the events and face to face interviews;

Main conclusions:
o Typology of visitors: 58 % female and 42 % male, mostly adults aged from 16 to 56, 50 % under 35, 43 % secondary or vocational training education, 56 % universitary studies, 46,5% declaring an average level of scientific knowledge, 31% stating a very basic scientific knowledge, 92 % expressing their interest in science-linked issues, most attendees coming from Madrid region;;
o Young attendees, namely aged under 16: 54% boys and 46% girls, . 25% under 9; 34% between 9-11; 17% between 12-13 and 25 % between 14-15, 54% attending primary school and 45% secondary studies and basic vocational traning, 85% stating an interest in science-linked issues;
o Over half of attendees having attended one activity, about 20 % two or several ones;
o Knwoledge about the event: 49 % word of mouth (friedns and families), 48,7 % public advertising, social networks, websites, 13 % based on previous editions;
o Overall positive feedback about the event itself (activities, interest, contacts with researchers, scheduling, venues and locations) (89 % adults, 90 % kids);
o Positive feedback from researchers involved: contacts with children, direct communication with audience, increased awareness about importance of general scientific dissemination;
o Over 80 % responders intending to take part in future similar events;
o Most successful activities: industry research activities for society, European Corner, techno at the Universidad Autónma de Madrid (UAM), come and see our technological super UAM innovation, flying drones and more amazing robots, Ppaying with sparkling microbial bugs, build your own bioelectricity generator, the night exploits, the threat of invasive plants and stars party;
o Less successful activities: bioengineering and cardiovascular research;
o Increased awareness about researchers and their job in particular through the face to face interviews, as well of the importance of EU support to researchers and research (63 %);
o Improved public image of researchers and their cotnributino to society: over 90 % responders considering researchers\' impact on welafer and compeitiveness as positive, although some respodners consider it insufficiently known and remunerated;
o Increased interest for scientific careers amongst young people: (80 % responders under 16);

Most successful activities: workshops and hands-on experiments, such as \"\"Industry Research activities for Society. European Corner\"\", \"\" TechnoUAM: come and see our technological super UAM innovation\"\" and \"\"Flying drones and more amazing robots\"\"

\"

Website & more info

More info: http://www.madrimasd.org/lanochedelosinvestigadores/Spanish European Researchers.