Empowering Minds: Boosting Research in Citizen Engagement and Schools

Project Information

EU-EMBRACES

Grant agreement ID: 101162414

DOI

10.3030/101162414

Project closed

EC signature date 29 April 2024

Start date 1 May 2024

End date 31 December 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 297 365,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EU-EMBRACES (Empowering Minds: Boosting Research in Citizen Engagement and Schools)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2025-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Innovation makes Europe one of the most socially inclusive and developed regions of the world. A significant public policy effort was put in place to foster science, technology and innovation, while contributing to solve societal challenges. The main purpose is to unleash innovation-led growth that also contributes to reinforce societal values and sustained development. Engaging society with science and innovation has reached a new paradigm with the Horizon Europe Missions. All sectors need to be actively involved in implementing the Missions to reach the expected goals. From schools to companies, from scientific associations to NGOs, all will be
called to contribute by co-creating new solutions, products and processes.
The new generations are of particular importance. The innovators of 2030 are now being nurtured in schools, supported by science centres, museums and other non-formal education stakeholders. However, many still feel that those spaces are not meant for them. In fact, “participants for these science communication activities are drawn from socially dominant groups. We can also infer (…) who is less likely to participate in science communication: people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and ethnic minorities” (Dawson, 2021). EU-EMBRACES aims to address this challenge, by engaging those communities while showing how the HE Missions can positively impact their lives.
EU-EMBRACES is developed by a consortium led by ITQB NOVA, a research and academic institution with extensive experience in outreach and event organization, in partnership with Ciência Viva, a national agency dedicated to Scientific Culture; and i3S, a research centre with a solid educational programme for schools and the public. The project brings together researchers and other stakeholders involved in the HE Missions and the public, in more than 250 activities in 10 venues across the country, with the support of research institutions and local authorities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The EU-EMBRACES project delivered substantial and tangible results, reflecting the consortium’s commitment to its mission. Key achievements include:
63 build-up events to create momentum and awareness;
18 European Researchers’ Night (ERN) events, engaging broad audiences;
158 Meet the Scientists events, strengthening direct interactions between researchers and the public;
18 participatory debate, promoting dialogue on critical scientific issues in students;
34 social inclusion through science and technology events, ensuring outreach to underrepresented communities.
4 workshops on science communication directed to Young Embassadors.

These efforts have resulted in impressive engagement metrics:
57,503 participants actively involved in the project’s activities;
2,215 researchers participating in the initiatives;
432 Young ambassadors participating in ERNs.
Media coverage across 37+ major channels, including television and online publications;
A strong digital presence, with 103,000 social media users and 18,700 unique website visitors.
39,363 people made aware of ERN by participating in build-up events.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

EU-EMBRACES went beyond the state of the art in public engagement with science by demonstrating a scalable, year-round model for the European Researchers’ Night that integrates build-up activities, Researchers at Schools initiatives, and large public events.

The project demonstrated a strong capacity to engage audiences traditionally underrepresented in science communication, particularly young people and school communities, including juveniles in educational detention settings, residents of peripheral neighbourhoods with reduced access to services, migrant communities, and the Deaf community, contributing to increased inclusiveness and trust in research. The large-scale involvement of researchers strengthened science communication skills within institutions and fostered long-term engagement beyond the project duration.

EU-EMBRACES also advanced the integration of EU priorities, such as the EU Missions, into public engagement activities, making European-funded research more visible, locally relevant, and understandable to citizens. Harmonised communication and evaluation approaches across multiple venues generated robust impact data, contributing to improved assessment practices for large public engagement initiatives.

For further uptake and success, sustained support for year-round engagement models, stronger coordination among consortia, and continued investment in school- and community-based activities are key. At project end, EU-EMBRACES leaves a validated engagement framework, a strengthened national network of science communication actors, and an evidence base to inform future European Researchers’ Night editions and related Horizon Europe actions.