The University of Gdańsk will take part in promoting science during the upcoming editions of Pomeranian Researchers’ Night in 2026-2027. The event is part of the European Researchers’ Night initiative, which aims to bring the work of researchers closer to the public and to demonstrate how scientific research impacts everyday life and socio-economic development. The Research4Resilience project, under which the next two editions of the event will take place, has received funding through the MSCA & Citizens call under the Horizon Europe programme.
The project aims to raise public awareness of the current challenges facing science and society: from responding to health and climate crises to the development of digital technologies in research and education. Through workshops, experiments and demonstrations, participants - particularly children and young people - will be able to experience the work of scientists first-hand and better understand the importance of science in the modern world.
In 2026, the activities organised by the University of Gdańsk will focus on the theme ‘Resilience and crisis preparedness’. Event participants will be able to take part in laboratory workshops, demonstrations and lectures devoted to, amongst other things, microorganisms and vaccines, the impact of climate change on plants and the oceans, the importance of chemistry for health and the environment, lessons from past pandemics, and modern technologies in plant breeding.
In 2027, the theme will be ‘Digital transformation as part of the EU’s strategy for economic resilience’. The programme, prepared by the University of Gdańsk, will demonstrate how artificial intelligence and new technologies support modern science. Planned activities include workshops on the use of AI in biological research and bioinformatics, demonstrations of AI applications in medicine and biotechnology, sessions on genetic engineering, and interactive presentations using virtual reality technology.
The event in the Pomeranian Voivodeship is coordinated by the Medical University of Gdańsk, and its partners include the region’s leading universities and scientific institutions (in addition to the University of Gdańsk, these include Gdańsk University of Technology, Gdynia Maritime University, the Naval Academy in Gdynia, the Institute of Oceanology of PAS, the Experyment Science Centre in Gdynia and the Sea Fisheries Institute - National Research Institute).
The project manager on behalf of the University of Gdańsk is dr Alicja Chmielewska from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG. The total funding for the project amounted to €319,000 (over PLN 1.3 million), of which €45,000 (nearly PLN 200,000) is allocated to the University of Gdańsk.
The project is being carried out as part of the MSCA & Citizens call under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. The proposal prepared by the team from the Medical University of Gdańsk received the maximum score - 15 out of 15 points, placing it among the highest-rated projects in Europe in this edition of the call.
This year’s Pomeranian Researchers’ Night will take place on 25 September. Please follow the details at https://pomorskanocnaukowcow.eu/.