Palma, Wednesday, 8 June 2022.- Five of the main research centres of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), with a strong focus on research related to the marine and coastal environment, are presenting the project “Ocean Night” as a proposal for the European Researchers’ Night, within the Horizon Europe framework programme. These centres are: the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA), which leads the project; the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM); the Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB); the Institute of Marine Research (IIM); and the Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN).
The project also has the collaboration of the Torre de la Sal Aquaculture Institute (IATS-CSIC), the Scientific Culture Unit of the CSIC Delegation in Galicia and the Marine Technology Unit (UTM-CSIC), attached to the Mediterranean Marine and Environmental Research Centre (CMIMA).
“Ocean Night” is a comprehensive two-year science outreach programme (2022 and 2023) whose objective is to promote ocean culture, raise awareness of the deep relationship between our society and the ocean, and promote the role of marine research in creating a sustainable future. “Marine science is diverse; it studies the physical, chemical and biological aspects of marine ecosystems, from microscopic to global scales, and seeks solutions to face the great challenges before us,” explains Marco Polin, biophysicist and project coordinator. “It is essential for society to be aware of the importance of knowing our ocean and of the work that science carries out to understand in detail how we affect the ocean and how it affects us,” he adds. As specific objectives, the project seeks to promote sustainable practices and more responsible behaviour, as well as professional opportunities for young people in the blue economy and marine sciences.
A diverse programme from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean
Ocean Night is born with the aim of creating a complete programme of activities with two editions: the first key date on the calendar will be the night of 30 September 2022, when activities will be held throughout Europe to bring researchers closer to society; in 2023, a second night, also on the last Friday of September, will be the project’s closing event.
To this end, through a series of activities (exhibitions, workshops, experiments/practical demonstrations, art competitions, science shows, simulations, games and contests, talks and debates, musical presentations, social-media challenges, etc.), the multidisciplinary nature of marine sciences and the benefits they provide to our society in facing the challenges set by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and European research and innovation objectives will be highlighted.
This diversity is reflected in the broad geographical distribution of the centres involved, with research specialised in the coasts that surround them. Ocean Night therefore has the particular feature of being made up of a multilingual consortium located in six different Spanish regions, covering Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal areas, including island, estuarine and coastal zones.
Starting from this idea of diversity, Ocean Night also wants to reach the broadest possible sector of society, including not only school audiences but the whole community.
The marine ecosystem is fundamental for human society and for the planet as a whole. Science helps us understand how it works and what its main threats are. The critical challenges it currently faces can only be addressed at a social level. Through our actions, we can all improve its health and ensure its conservation for the future. For this reason, the project’s main theme is connecting knowledge for a common ocean: the present and future of the marine ecosystem, in line with the European Union (EU) Mission to “Restore our Ocean and Waters” and with the United Nations (UN) “Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development”.
The project’s general categories (climate, life, food, challenges, health, society and home) have made it possible to organise a balanced, effective and uniform programme, while remaining flexible enough to adapt to the local needs and possibilities of the different centres.
The project will involve scientific and technical staff from the different participating centres, either funded by the European Union (EU) or with a strong track record in science outreach, working in different fields such as ecology, oceanography, physics and engineering, with a link to Ocean Night’s central theme.
The project will also help publicise and promote other excellent marine research projects in Europe and the rest of the world, as well as improve understanding of EU policies and programmes that allocate resources to research.
Since deep adaptations in our lifestyles and behaviours are necessary, the challenge of this project is to get citizens involved, committed to supporting these policies and acting so that these changes can take place.
Additional information
The European Researchers’ Night is a European science outreach project promoted since 2005 by the European Commission within the Marie Sktodowska-Curie actions of the Horizon Europe programme. It takes place every year, simultaneously, in more than 371 European cities in over 30 countries. Its main objective is to bring citizens closer to the people who carry out research so that they can learn about their work, the benefits it brings to society and its impact on daily life.