CLoSER · Cementing Links between Science and society toward Engagement and Responsibility

Cementing Links between Science and society toward Engagement and Responsibility

The CLOSER project, selected to organize the ERN in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, has started treasuring the capitalized experience of the 10 past editions: it has built on the results achieved along this thrilling journey and move forward, also on the basis of the European agenda defined by H2020 in relation to the science and society issues. The main objective of the CLoSER project is to enhance researchers’ public recognition generating trust in science and making the whole society acknowledge the need for taking responsibility and taking part in the public debate on research and innovation. The public at large in all its components, whichever their age and scientific background, will be offered the opportunity of discovering the “human face” of research via direct exchanges and discussions with the researchers, thus understanding the impact research and innovation have on their daily lives. In order to achieve this main objective, the specific objectives of CLoSER are: o Bring researchers, citizens, schools, policy makers, and industry closer to one another, making use of Responsible Research and Innovation values to engage them all in a dialogue about the relevance of science in society and the importance of taking responsibility; o Tackle and challenge existing stereotypes about researchers and research, highlighting their necessary role in the knowledge society; o Strengthen researchers’ awareness about the importance of communicating with the public at large and the need for reinforcing their communication skills, supporting them to gain/develop these abilities through training, tools and new formats; o Actively involve the public in the event through citizen science projects, outreach activities and public debates mixing entertainment and educational aspects to increase their knowledge as scientific citizens and their trust in science and researchers; o Increase the interest of young people in science and the attractiveness of scientific careers by bringing researchers close to young people, through specific activities tailored on young girls’ and boys’ interests; o Enhance the innovation of the proposed activities with a specific support of those proposed by researchers; o Point out the European support in favour of researchers and research, and stress the importance of European and International cooperation in research (European Stage for Research and Innovation); o Make citizens reflect on the relationship between science and society, exploiting the mainstream media and social network capacity of reaching a wider audience to promote the event at local and national level (in conjunction with other Italian projects); o Share good practices and most effective activities towards the achievement of the objectives between the cities involved in the Consortium and other ERNs across Italy. Over the 2 years the CLoSER project successfully organised 2 editions of the European Researchers' NIght, the 11th and the 12th in Piedmont and Aosta Valley, both achieving the settled objectives and expected impact.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз