Project description
Catching up with researchers in Cardiff
The European Researchers' Night, funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA), is a Europe-wide public event aiming to bring researchers closer to the general public, showcase the diversity of science and its impact on citizens’ daily lives and stimulate interest in research careers, especially amongst young people. In Cardiff, the capital of Wales and one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, the event is known as the 'Diff', and it aims to make a difference to Welsh communities and beyond. The EU-funded ADIFF project will organise the first event in Wales. The project will work to team up researchers and their community partners to create content to be delivered at the European Researchers’ Night celebrations in 2020.
Objective
The 'Diff is how Cardiff is affectionately known. ADIFF is a European Researchers’ Night event, celebrating how EU-funded researchers are ‘making a difference’ to Welsh communities and beyond. This will be the first ever European Researchers’ Night celebration in Wales. The capital, Cardiff, is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK. Many people from the surrounding area travel to Cardiff for work, shopping and entertainment. The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) encompasses the whole of South East Wales, home to a range of diverse communities including seven of the top ten most deprived areas in Wales. Over half of 16-24yr olds in Wales live here. Over 90% of 12/13 yr olds in the UK aspire to ‘help others’ in their working lives. Yet only 15% want to be a scientist. By focusing on how researchers are 'making a difference' to our lives and city we will engage a diverse range of young people and their influencers. Cardiff University is a large research-intensive institution, ranked 2nd in the UK for the impact of its work. Researchers will develop engaging hands-on activities supported by, award-winning specialists, Science Made Simple. These activities will be trialed at summer festivals, online where necessary, reaching some of the 20 million annual visitors to Cardiff and generating media coverage in the run-up to the main event. Researchers will also interact with schools online and/or in person to raise awareness and encourage young people into research careers The team will work with researchers and their community partners to create content to be delivered at the European Researchers’ Night celebrations in 2020. Unexpected encounters with researchers and pop-up events will take place in public spaces across the city centre and/or online over the weekend – bringing the researchers and their work to the public and showing how they are making a difference to the lives of people in Wales.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
CF24 0DE Cardiff
United Kingdom