NIGHT SPANISH TEAM

ended

The scientific and technological development has a great influence in how our societies make progress, together with other social factors such as politics or economics. However, in recent years a lack of interest in research careers related with science and technology has been reported in several countries around the world, including Spain. The reasons behind this are still not fully elucidated, but current findings point out to a lack of understanding between the scientific and the non-scientific communities. Within this framework, the “NIGHT Spanish Team (S-TEAM)” emerges as an initiative to bring the public at large (children, teenagers, adults, as both parents and professionals and the elderly) in close contact with researchers in an informal context which includes pleasant, enjoyable, attractive and innovative activities. The S-TEAM is planned as a promotional effort in line with the objectives of the work programme of the call H2020-MSCA-NIGHT-2020. S-TEAM comprises a wide range of activities to disseminate local research which will be held at 12 different locations, covering a large part of the Spanish territory. S-TEAM is coordinated by the University of Oviedo and includes seven more Spanish universities as partners. The main aim of S-TEAM is to promote public awareness and understanding of research in science and technology. In order to achieve this, we will encourage researchers to share their work with the public at large, especially those who have benefited from EU support. A critical framework will be established as a forum for discussion with experts from partner’s institutions, about solutions that are being proposed in relation to specific problems of general interest. We do hope to demystify and humanise research, reveal what researchers do, and stimulate young people to embark on research careers.