Through a targeted awareness campaign, a number of regional pre-events, an expanded Researchers-at-Schools programme and a NIGHT packed with activities, shows, exhibitions and expriments, SCIENCE4FUTURE set out to convey three key messages:
1. Research affects every aspect of our daily lives. While there is general recognition about the importance of research in the area of, for example, health or engineering, there is less awareness about the contribution of, for example, the social sciences, the arts or humanities.
2. Research is the prerequisite for innovation. Researchers test new ideas and hypotheses which generate new data and knowledge thus leading to inventions, applications and answers to some of our most pressing societal challenges. This process also requires the active participation of citizens. Local challenges include, for example, developing an environmentally and economically sustainable transport concept or testing innovative agricultural methods for the predominantly rural Kiel region. Through dedicated activities with and for citizens SCIENCE4FUTURE will show, how excellent collaborations between education, research and innovation actors (incl. citizens) across numerous disciplines and countries can lead to future-oriented solutions.
3. Research is the key economic driver in our region: Taken together the 12 research organisations are the main employer in the Kiel region. More significantly, the region’s most important industrial sectors (bio-technology, health, mechanical engineering and renewable energy) are all very research-intensive and will continue to rely on highly-skilled researchers.
The public’s recognition and appreciation of these significant contributions made every day by our researchers is at best superficial and often marred by deep scepticism. Scientifically sound and evidence-based political decision-making has never been more important than in today’s world of multiple crises such as climate change, a pandemic, wars and the ensuing economic downturn. However, fake news and conspiracy theories have eroded trust in science at an unprecedented level. By raising awareness of these three key aspects, SCIENCE4FUTURE has not only challenged those doubts but has encouraged citizens to actively participate in the scientific process and inspired young people to consider research as a rewarding and exciting career option.
