BRIGHT-NIGHT · Researchers' impact in everyday Life

The BRIGHT-NIGHT 2022-2023 proposal, within the framework of the European Researchers' Night, aims at bringing research and researchers closer to the general public of the Tuscan region. In fact, the BRIGHT-NIGHT Consortium includes the main Tuscan universities whose decennial collaboration has already produced very successful ERN events. This objective will be achieved by showcasing research projects, with a specific focus on sustainability and societal challenges, through a rich and inclusive program of activities in open and public events throughout Tuscany. We will increase the awareness of how scientific research impacts on the daily lives of citizens, on the active role it can play in shaping the future and fostering young people’s interest in scientific studies with a gender balance approach, mostly in STEAM.After a set of preparatory events, the core activities will take place the last Friday/Saturday of September 2022/2023: hundreds of interactive, funny and inspiring activities in the cities, which will be populated by science hubs (shows, hands-on experiments, games, competitions, and exhibitions). To better stress the centrality of a joint European effort on the societal and sustainability challenges of our times, the event will revolve around the Horizon Europe missions, with particular emphasis on their interdisciplinary character.The two-year duration of the proposal will allow the involvement of students from primary and secondary schools encouraging to deliver a scientific presentation during the Nights: they will be supported by academic researchers, who will help them to select and prepare a topic. This activity aims at creating a long-term connection between researchers, (which will be trained on scientific communication skills for the purpose), young students and the general public. Such connection will make science research more ""familiar"", more understandable, and ultimately strengthen people’s trust in scientific methods.""