Project description
Activities to promote research in Scotland
The EU-funded EXPLORATHON 18-19 project will organise European Researchers’ Nights across Scotland in 2018 and 2019. The aim is to bring research to the Scottish public and support a new dimension of collaboration with business and industry. Led by five major research-intensive universities, the objective of EXPLORATHON 18-19 is to build on careers and responsible research and innovation issues through a public-friendly message designed to engage audiences with research and provide an exciting experience. The project will perform multi-element activities to break down stereotypes about researchers’ work through cafe discussions, comedy, performances, and debates in public places (shopping centres and cinemas) and research environments (universities and industry). EXPLORATHON 18-19 will encourage young people to embark on scientific careers.
Objective
European Researchers Night SCOTLAND 2018-2019 will deliver two exciting editions of European Researchers' Night across Scotland in 2018 and 2019 guided by our ethos of 'Research for All'. Our partnership builds on our successful, highly visible, EXPLORATHON concept which reached over 36,000 people live and achieved over 10-million twitter impressions from 2014 to 2017. Led by five of Scotland's major research-intensive universities with over 600 EU-funded research projects between them, EXPLORATHON 18-19 will bring research to the public and foster a new dimension of collaboration with business and industry, building on themes of careers and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).
Our headline - ONE NIGHT, UNLIMITED DISCOVERY - provides a public friendly message designed to engage audiences not traditionally interacting with research or researchers. We are benefiting from our nationwide partnership to introduce robust researcher training ahead of the NIGHT projects ensuring that researchers and publics have the best experience possible.
At the heart of our proposal lies a vibrant, multi-element programme of activities, all designed to break down barriers between research and external actors of different backgrounds, ages and interests. Formats of cafe discussions, comedy, performance, hands-on activity, talks and debates will combine to highlight the relevance of research and challenge perceived stereotypes of researchers.
Our venues will include public places such as shopping centres and cinemas but will also features 'doors open' access into research environments where discovery is actually happening, universities and industry. We will highlight the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of modern research, helped by MSCA Fellows and EU-funded project exemplars. We will encourage young people to consider research as an exciting, challenging career option, telling the story of how investment in research is vital.
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
AB24 3FX ABERDEEN
United Kingdom