RN2007SVK · Science Alive: Researchers’ Night 2007 in Slovakia

In Slovakia, majority of researchers were not used to communicate in “user-friendly” and “non-technical” way with general public. They found it useless. The result is, that in general, researchers in Slovak Republic, despite the fact that they have internationally recognized results (e.g. this year nominations for Descartes Prize with researchers from the Slovak Academy of Sciences), are almost invisible in society and at the same time, they lack the sufficient communication skills and still did not see their necessary crucial role in dialog with society as one of their tasks - tasks, which are in their own interest. Therefore, specifically to the special circumstances in Slovakia, the implementation of the project will also act as a catalyst for communication of scientists with the society and researchers will be one the target group. The aim is to show Slovak researchers, that various stakeholders from society can be interested very much in their work and to like to interact with science. The main purpose of the project – Researcher’s Night 2007 that will take place on September, 28 is to bring relevant stakeholders, mainly large public and researchers together through innovative means of science communication with strong European spirit and dimension of the planned activities. The objectives of organizing this event are: improving the image of scientists in society, to show attractiveness of a researcher’s career, to show existence of science in our everyday lives, explain natural phenomena, raise awareness in science and technology, show researchers the growing interest of society in their work, show strong European and international spirit of being the researcher and establish the event as national tradition. Project will be implemented through following activities/events: awareness campaign, big science show Science Alive!, Phography Exhibition, Drawing Competition, Universities at Night, Author Reading, Sky at Night and Nature at Night.