Research, Connections, Networks and Culture - Use of Projects, Games, Research And Digital in Education

Project Information

Reconnect Upgrade 20

Grant agreement ID: 955352

DOI

10.3030/955352

Project closed

EC signature date 4 June 2020

Start date 1 June 2020

End date 28 February 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 81 625,00

EU contribution

€ 80 000,00

Coordinated by

Kreativno edukativni centar
Serbia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Reconnect Upgrade 20 (Research, Connections, Networks and Culture - Use of Projects, Games, Research And Digital in Education)

Reporting period: 2020-06-01 to 2021-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The EU-funded ReConNeCt Upgrade 20 project was a showcase the remarkable researchers heading projects funded by the EU’s H2020. Its goal was to enhance public recognition of the researchers who are paving the way for the next Horizon Europe funding program. Overall, the project will promote research careers among students. It will also focus on the links between science, industry, and citizens. This triangular relationship is reflected in the EU RIS3 Smart Specialisation Strategies that bring in a demand-driven dimension, fostering innovation partnerships that boost coordination between different societal stakeholders. In a well-organized and logically connected sequence, the project ReConNeCt Upgrade 20 focused on digital science - interesting and impactful examples of the application of digital technologies in research and education.
Main objectives of the project ReConNeCt Upgrade 20 were:
o To tackle and demystify the persistent and repeated stereotypes about researchers;
o To bring out the actual researchers in Serbia, engage them publically and increase their recognition in Serbia and globally;
o To promote research carried out in Serbia and researchers as role models;
o To unveil the motives behind becoming a researcher and entice the young people to embark on scientific careers;
o To show the importance of scientific research and raise public awareness of researchers'' contribution to progress and development;
o to raise public awareness about the researchers' impact in ever important fields such as climate change and global warming, as well as in the subtle realm such as cultural heritage (in line with celebrating 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage);
o To highlight the importance of the European manifold support to researchers and scientific research in Serbia;
o To improve networking with other national/international projects involved in science popularisation, through mutual support of events and exchange of ideas , experiences and people.

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

Overview of the results
o Conception, realization and display of promotional material (over 50.000 items);
o Public advertising (billboards) and advertisement on public transport (busses, Bustops in city center) 16 Billboards, 24 Bus stops, Advertising in Shopping center BIG Novi Sad and 10 billboard with Research groups around the city.
o Organization of a national press conference;
o Airing of news, announcements, ads and reports about the Serbian funded project and RECONNCET UPGRADE 2.0 project specifically on radio and TV stations, amongst which 30 radio news and announcements and 18 TV + radio shows, news and reports;
o Revamping, updating and maintenance of the project website www.nocistrazivaca.rs;
o Over 17.000 sessions (together with During the Night sessions for online visitors watching live event) and 6.000 unique visitors, average time 8 min 5 pages opened;
o Revamping, constant updating and maintenance of social network profiles (Facebook);
o Over 9.000 likes on Facebook;
o More than 22.000 views on TikTok Researchers Night channel;
o Over 700.000 people made aware of the Researchers' night and its objectives.

Organisation of the activities as planned in the Annex I part B to the Grant agreement, amongst which:
o Online Exhibition stands;
o Science playground;
o Demos;
o Lectures;
o Campaign on Women in Science – importance on Gender equality in Science;
o Competition "Research groups" (researchers and science professionals);

o Storytelling about lives of scientists along with the presentation of current science results;
o
o Interactive science quizzes online;
o Digital Coffee tweetup with scientists;
o European Corner;

o Active involvement of over 124 researchers, including both students and full professors;
3 Researchers having benefitted from Marie Curie schemes;
11 Researchers having benefitted from another EU support;

o Over 20.000 online visitors having taken part in the activities offered.

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)

Under the pandemic situation in the whole Europe Reconnect Upgrade 20 project concept offered an different interaction between the researchers and visitors and online public participation in the event. Coffe with scientists, interactive science quizzes, treasure hunt and other social activities were organised in a form of mobile app with the help of state of the art technology such as Augmented reality. While discovering the fascinating aspects of their jobs, the online visitors of ERN 2020 had the unique opportunity to be guided by digital avatars through the world of science. Their hosts were Albert Einstein and Maria Sklodowska Curie. In addition, the activities of the European Researchers Night gave the young an opportunity to take part in something that is beyond everyday routine and to operate and play with sophisticated equipment in self explanatory experiments

Research teams with EC funded project - Billboard 6

Women in Science campaign

Research teams with EC funded project - Billboard 2

Women in Science campaign

Research teams with EC funded project - Billboard 5

Women in Science campaign

Women in Science campaign

Research teams with EC funded project - Billboard 1

Research teams with EC funded project - Billboard 3

Research teams with EC funded project - Billboard 4

Women in Science campaign