Parma to host European Researchers’ Night 2024: Inspiring future generations through science and sustainability

 Funded by the European Union, the event is a key part of a Europe-wide initiative that aims to bring research and innovation closer to the general public, particularly young people. 

European Researchers’ Night is a celebration held annually across Europe on the last Friday in September. It is an occasion for children, parents, teachers, and citizens to meet researchers directly in their own cities, providing a unique opportunity to learn about cutting-edge science and the people behind the research. This year's event promises to be especially unforgettable, with Parma hosting one of the flagship gatherings in Italy.

EU-GREEN CORNER: Sustainability in Action At the heart of the event will be the EU-GREEN Corner, where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of green research and sustainability. Researchers from universities in the EU-GREEN Alliance—including Parma, Wroclaw, Evora, Extremadura, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Magdeburg, Angers and Gavle will present workshops focused on sustainability, climate change, and green technologies. Attendees will participate in hands-on activities, allowing them to explore sustainability and interact with the researchers. 

Researchers at Schools: Engaging the Next Generation Leading up to the European Researchers’ Night, the Researchers at Schools initiative will see researchers visit schools across Parma to spark curiosity among students. This program encourages young minds to engage with science through interactive lessons, Q&A sessions, and real-world experiments. The aim is to show students how exciting and accessible science can be, inspiring them to pursue careers in research and innovation.

Event Highlights

100 interactive activities: Spread across four key locations in Parma, including workshops, live demonstrations, and interactive presentations.

EU-GREEN workshops: International researchers from nine partner universities will offer hands-on learning experiences in areas like sustainability, green technology, and climate change.

6,000 visitors expected: The event will attract thousands of visitors, with more than 1,000 researchers and volunteers contributing to its success.

Food and safety zones: Dedicated areas for food and emergency response will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Professor Frances Lucy, Lead for EU GREEN at ATU, noted the importance of such events: 

“The European Researchers’ Night brings science directly to the public, inspiring the next generation of researchers and fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability challenges. It’s a unique chance for people of all ages to experience science firsthand. Early stage research students, from across eight of our EU GREEN universities will be leading this engagement, giving them invaluable experience as international educators." 

For more information on the European Researchers' Night and to explore the full program of events, visit https://lanottedeiricercatori.unipr.it/eventi/eu-green-corner/844/ 

 
For more information and to register your interest, please contact eugreen@atu.ie.

More details on EU GREEN can be found here www.eugreen.eu.

Aidan Haughey
ATU Communications Manager 
Bainisteoir Cumarsáide OTA
Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA), Éire  
Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ireland  
Tel: + 353 86 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie