European Researchers’ Night officially presented

PRESS RELEASE

SASSARI. Once again this year, the University of Sassari is taking part in the European Researchers’ Night, the initiative promoted by the European Commission under the Marie Curie Actions and coordinated in Italy by the SHARPER project – Sharing Researchers’ Passion for Education and Rights. This major nationwide event spans 15 cities in 9 regions, involving 1,500 researchers and over 200 partners, with more than 800 activities including exhibitions, workshops, shows, and outreach events.

Main events at the Tavolara Pavilion on September 25 and 26

The highlights are scheduled for Thursday 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Friday 26 September from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Tavolara Pavilion in Via Tavolara, Sassari. The opening ceremony on September 25 at 9:00 a.m. will feature Rector Gavino Mariotti, Mayor Giuseppe Mascia, and representatives of the other partner institutions.

The event will feature scientific exhibits and workshops across 22 stands, along with the ScienzArena activities on the outdoor terrace. Mornings will be dedicated to primary and secondary schools, while the afternoon of Friday 26 September, from 4:30 p.m., will open its doors to families and the general public.

The University’s departments will be joined by numerous scientific partners: AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, M. Sironi Academy of Fine Arts, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Società Astronomica Turritana, local high schools including Istituto Paglietti in Porto Torres, Istituto Tecnico Ruju and Istituto Tecnico Angioy in Sassari, IIS Pellegrini in Sassari, Fondazione CMCC, and CSI Sassari.

For the first time, this year’s edition will also feature CNR – the National Research Council, Sassari Research Area, with 5 workshops and 7 institutes involved – and Sardegna Ricerche, through its 10Lab Science Center, presenting a show filled with surprising experiments.

The full program is available at https://www.uniss.it/it/sharper and on Instagram channels @unissgram and @percorsi_uniss.

How to take part

Schools can request information and book activities by writing to terzamissione@uniss.it.

Families and citizens are welcome to attend all events freely. For the pre-event scheduled on September 25 at 5:00 p.m. at the Botanical Garden, reservations are required via email at ortobotanico@uniss.it.

Events in the Aula Magna
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On Friday, September 26 from 9:30 a.m., the Aula Magna of the University (Piazza Università) will host several initiatives dedicated to high schools.

During the morning, Uniss and AIRC researcher Mario Sechi will lead an engaging workshop on the challenges of cancer research, followed by Claudio Pettinari (Emeritus Rector of the University of Camerino), who will present a fascinating talk bridging centuries of history, art, literature, and chemistry, titled “Chemistry as told through literature”.

In the afternoon, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., a session will focus on “The role of universities in building an inclusive society – spotlight on the University Prison Program”, inspired by a recent publication by CRUI (Conference of Italian University Rectors). Speakers will include Uniss Vice Rector for Third Mission and President of APEnet (the Italian network of institutions and research centers for Public Engagement), Pier Andrea Serra, Giancarlo Monina (National President of CNUPP – the National Conference of Rectors’ Delegates for University Prison Hubs), Emmanuele Farris (Rector’s Delegate for the University Prison Hub of Sassari), as well as Daniele Maoddi (President of Ersu Sassari) and Maria Teresa D’Errico (acting director of Sassari Prison).

ScienzArena with Roberta Villa
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Returning to the Tavolara Pavilion terrace on both days are the ScienzArena talks, well known from past editions for their informal, fast-paced, and thought-provoking conversations on various science-related topics (see attached program).

A special highlight is the participation of journalist and science communicator Roberta Villa, who on September 26 from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. will offer an overview of current trends and future prospects of artificial intelligence in healthcare – from contributions to biomedical research to applications in mental health. A medical doctor by training and a science journalist for 30 years, Villa is the author of the blog Fosforo e Miele and several popular science books. She contributes to La Repubblica online, Domani, Le Scienze, Wired and other outlets, after over two decades writing for the Corriere della Sera health section.

Countdown to Researchers’ Night: Pre-events

The weeks leading up to September 26 will feature events and workshops across Northern Sardinia.

• Platamona, September 7: lunar eclipse observation with the Luna Rossa event, in collaboration with Società Astronomica Turritana.
• Calasetta, September 20: public archaeological digs at Campu Sciamaìn.
• Sassari, September 23 (for schools) and September 25 (5:00 p.m. for the public): workshops at the Botanical Garden (Piandanna) dedicated to medicinal plants.
• Sassari, September 23–24: interactive course on science communication for researchers and PhD students at Muniss (University’s Science Museum), led by 10Lab of Sardegna Ricerche.
• Sassari, September 24: at Cine Teatro Astra, a university theater workshop “The Song of the Handmaids and Other Stories” in the morning, followed by the evening performance “The Song of Penelope”. Admission is free and open to all.

A national and European network

SHARPER connects the efforts of cities such as Ancona, Bari, Cagliari, Catania, Genoa, L’Aquila, Palermo, Perugia, Sassari, Trieste, and many others. The initiative is coordinated by the social enterprise Psiquadro, together with a consortium of universities, research centers, and cultural associations, including INFN, CNR, INAF, and INGV.

The program includes more than 800 events across Italy, ranging from shows, concerts, and workshops to open labs, games, and exhibitions. All activities are inspired by the concept of Education and Rights, with a focus on the major challenges of Horizon Europe: climate adaptation, the fight against cancer, marine protection, and the sustainability of future cities.

For the University of Sassari, the project is coordinated by the Office for Third Mission and Territory, with the support of Fondazione di Sardegna and the contribution of the Municipality of Sassari. A unique opportunity to bring citizens and families closer to the world of research.

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