Our Science 2022-23

Results in brief

The main objective of the project is to enhance a positive public perception of researchers by facilitating open and active dialogue between researchers and citizens of all ages, focusing on families with children and young people that could consider a career in research. The idea is to portray researchers as ordinary people with fascinating jobs and to combat the stereotype that many people may have of scientists as absent-minded nerds in white robes and glasses. This will be done by bringing researchers closer to the general public, both during Researchers’ night activities and by inviting schools to host visits by researchers, with a view to increasing awareness of research and innovation activities and to boost public recognition of science and science education. The aim is also to allow people to experience first-hand what research and innovation activities are all about and create an understanding of the actual impact that these activities have on modern society and our daily lives. In addition to highlighting the importance of researchers’ work, the initiative provides a rare opportunity for researchers to communicate directly with the public at all ages. The expected impact will be obtained by facilitating and enhancing active engagement between researchers and citizens, during pre-events such as direct interaction with researchers at science cafés in an inclusive manner, through citizen science activities that will lead up to Researchers’ Night, involving the citizens in scientific endeavours that will increase the transparency and understanding of researcher’s work, and finally through numerous activities during the actual Researchers’ Night events for two subsequent years. The direct interaction and public engagement will gain added importance in a post-covid world, where the need for such activities will have built up, which is expected to release extraordinary dynamics by active participation, conducing towards even stronger impact than before. Website: www.visindavaka.is Video from European Researchers' Night 2022 (Vísindavaka) in Iceland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caYAhceaQHg Video from European Researchers' Night 2023 (Vísindavaka) in Iceland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzHVkK8-hdU Video from ScienceSlamm 2023 in Iceland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BktG6BtVVu8

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The impact of researchers' work on society and citizens has never been more apparent than now. Global challenges such as climate change and unprecedented health pandemic, calls for science to react -and the role of researchers is crucial. At the same time, there is an impending risk of loosing citizens' trust in science, due to increased amount of misinformation about science and research. Therefore, it is important to promote the key role that researchers have for development and growth of our societies in a national and international context, and for keeping the public informed about critical challenges and scientific discoveries that have an impact on our daily lives. In Iceland, science has a crucial role to play in a society that relies on nature and responsible use of natural resources, from renewable energy and sustainable blue growth to societal and cultural implications of living at the edge of the Arctic. In order to ensure and facilitate interaction with the public and society at large, the project Our Science aims to organise European Researchers Night in Iceland 2022 and 2023, inviting researchers to engage with the public to communicate their work, their passion and findings, to increase awareness of research and innovation activities. The objective is to enhance a positive public perception of researchers by facilitiating open and active dialogue between researchers and citizens of all ages, especially focusing on children and young people that could consider a career in research. In addition to higlighting the importance of researchers work, the initiative provides a rare opportunity for researchers to communicate directly with the public at all ages, meeting children in school visits, and even involving citizens in the road to scientific discoveries, thus contributing to the transparency of their work and enhancing the attractiveness of scientific careers, which is instrumental in encouraging young people to embark on a career in science.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

RANNSOKNAMIDSTOD ISLANDS · ReykjavikCoordinatorIceland

Our Science 2022-23 · Our Science 2022-23

Results in brief