The NIGHTMADRID project aimed to highlight the important role researchers’ labour in our society and its contribution to the improvement of societal welfare, not only running the engine of technological innovation but also by their enhancement of knowledge acquisition in Europe. The NIGHTMADRID project was addressed to citizens of the Region of Madrid that aimed to bring researchers and their work closer to the public at large and to promote research careers among young people without gender barriers from very early ages.
To achieve this goal a continuous and wide-ranging awareness campaign was launched combining the traditional communication vectors (written and digital press, radio, TV or street adverts) with the contemporary ones (virtual media or social networks and platforms). The event aimed to attract as much people as possible by transmitting the main messages of the Night, i.e: Science is built by all of us and for all of us; and emphasise the exceptional role of Researchers, which live amongst us, and the importance of the sciences to society. The event aimed to inspire collaboration between the public and the scientific community, highlighting how researchers and their work can drive innovation to solve global challenges and build a sustainable, thriving world for future generations.
The project brought together researchers to the general public and increased awareness of research and innovation activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers. The European Researchers' Night in Madrid brought together researchers to the general public and increased awareness of research and innovation activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizen's daily life, and encouraging young people to embark on scientific careers. The project implemented it by means of a set of festive activities carried out in the Region of Madrid in the morning and evening of the last Friday of September. The activities were addressed to public at large, science-addicts and science-reluctant, children, families, teachers, elderly, people regardless their scientific background with a special focus on young people: secondary and primary school students with the main purpose of encouraging STEM subjects and science careers, university students and also vocational education and training students. The event involved researchers, benefited by EU funds, especially the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Their presence in the activities at the European corners pointed out the transnational and diversity aspects of research, showing the attractiveness of their jobs that can be done everywhere in Europe. Regional and Academic authorities, stakeholders and managers from universities, research centres, museums, hospitals, NGOs, foundations and industry (Spin offs, SME or Large Companies) in the Region of Madrid were at the core of the project.
