European Researchers’ Night Draws Large Audience at Residencia de Estudiantes

Throughout late September and October, the Residencia de Estudiantes has been a hub of cultural activity, hosting over 30 diverse events that celebrate poetry, music, science, intellectual history, dance, and philosophy. Open to the public and held in the venue’s auditorium, these events have fostered a vibrant community atmosphere. Among the many activities, the European Researchers’ Night 2024 stands out as a key highlight.

On September 27, the fifteenth edition of the European Researchers’ Night took place at the Residencia de Estudiantes. This scientific outreach initiative, supported by the European Union through its Horizon Europe research and innovation project, has been a staple at the venue since 2012. Coordinated in Madrid by the Madri+d Knowledge Foundation of the Comunidad de Madrid, this year’s program engaged audiences in 340 cities across 30 countries, aiming to bridge the gap between contemporary science and the public.

Titled “The Science That Helps the Planet (I): Science, What Would We Do Without You?” the session featured a lineup of researchers and specialists from various fields associated with the Madrid Institutes for Advanced Studies (IMDEA). They delivered presentations on the pivotal role that science plays in achieving sustainability on Earth, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative solutions to global challenges.

Audience engagement was a central theme of the event, with ample time allocated for attendees to ask questions and share their thoughts. The discussion attracted a large turnout, primarily composed of enthusiastic young people from local schools and high schools in Madrid, who actively participated in the dialogue.

This year’s European Researchers’ Night at the Residencia de Estudiantes was organized in collaboration with the Department of Culture of the Comunidad de Madrid and IMDEA.

Residencia de Estudiantes was awarded the European Heritage Label in 2014.