The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) is an initiative promoted and fundedby the European Commission under the Horizon Europe Programme and EuropeanResearch Executive Agency. The 2024 ERN project, called EU-EMBRACES - EmpoweringMinds: Boosting Research in Citizen Engagement and Schools, arises from theconsortium coordinated by Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica AntónioXavier - ITQB NOVA, together with the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health -i3S, and the Ciência Viva Network. This consortium, based in Portugal, aims to bridgethe gap between researchers and the public, fostering curiosity, understanding, andappreciation for scientific research and the EU-Missions. With the support from the European Union, the event was hosted in 9 citiesacross Portugal, drawing participants from diverse backgrounds, including students,families and educators. The event showcased hands-on activities, interactive scienceexhibitions, and engaging lectures, all designed to demystify scientific concepts andcelebrate the vital role of research in society. The ERN 2024 awareness campaign was designed to maximise visibility andengagement, targeting a broad audience through diverse media channels, socialmedia platforms and direct partnerships. The strategy integrated multi-channelpromotions and leveraged both digital and traditional media to build public interestand drive attention. Social media platforms each played a key role in connectingwith specific audience segments, while the official ERN website provided centralisedinformation and updates on all event activities. Additionally, collaborations withnational and regional media, including newspapers and podcasts, extended our reach,establishing European Researchers’ Night as a celebrated event across Portugal.
Universidade do Porto i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (2024) studied this question.