The project was created last year by 12 of the most representative entities in the generation of science and its communication in the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia, in the southeast of Spain.
MEDNIGHT 2021 is coordinated by the Alicante-based company El Caleidoscopio, features the joint participation of 13 institutions. Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of Valencia Region (FISABIO); Universitat Jaume I (UJI); Universitat de València (UV); Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital Clínico de la Comunitat Valenciana (INCLIVA); the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC); Universidad de Murcia; Universidad de Alicante (UA); Fundación Museo Didáctico e Interactivo de Ciencias de la Vega Baja del Segura de la Comunitat Valenciana (MUDIC); Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT); Fundación SÉNECA – Agencia de ciencia y tecnología de la Región de Murcia; SciCo Greece and SciCo Cyprus.
Each institution of the consortium will carry out its own activities, which together, will give shape to MEDNIGHT 2021. On the night of September 24, the cities of Cartagena, Murcia, Orihuela, Alicante, València, Castelló de la Plana, Messina, Crete, Limnos, Nicosia and Malta will host events with different workshops and activities for scientific outreach. Between June and September, exhibits, guided visits, discussions and challenges related to research intended for different audiences will take place to emphasize the value of Mediterranean science.
The 13 institutions that participate in the consortium are: Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (FISABIO); Universitat Jaume I (UJI); University of Valencia (UV); Foundation for Research of the Hospital Clínico de la Comunitat Valenciana (INCLIVA); State Agency Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC); University of Murcia; University of Alicante (UA); Didactic and Interactive Science Museum Foundation of the Vega Baja del Segura of the Valencian Community (MUDIC); Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT); SÉNECA Foundation – Science and Technology Agency of the Region of Murcia; SciCo Greece and SciCo Cyprus.
Each institution in the consortium will carry out its own activities, which, together, will shape MEDNIGHT 2021.
Travel colleagues
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MEDNIGHT 2021 has the support and recognition of the prestigious European Women Rectors Association (EWORA).
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MEDNIGHT 2021 also has the support of the Centro de Innovación Las Naves, Distrito Digital Comunitat Valenciana and the Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital de la Generalitat Valenciana.
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In addition, town halls of coastal cities will participate, and help carry out the proposed activities. Associations like Karam (Refugee Aid Group), Gised (research and subaquatic sports), Stenella (environmentalism), Save the Med Foundation (marine regeneration of the Mediterranean Sea), and other scientific outreach associations will collaborate with the inclusion of different audiences in the activities.
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In addition, MEDNIGHT 2021 will have access to hospitals and residences for the elderly where some activities will be held. These events will always have the necessary protocols, and follow the safety and protection measures for all participants. For its part, EuropeDirect (Murcia Region) is supporting the consortium by implementing EU Corner.
Lemnos/Crete Activities
Scico as a proud partner and organizer of the Mediterranean Researcher Night in Greece and Cyprus will create a series of unique events. The opening ceremony will take place on June 3 on the Greek island of Lemnos, being the first of 300+ activities that will take place to celebrate the Mediterranean Researcher Night throughout the Mediterranean. SciCo, in collaboration with the University of the Aegean and the Technical University of Crete from June to September, will hold exhibitions, workshops, lectures, discussions and research-related scientific challenges for different audiences to emphasize the value of Mediterranean science.
Lemnos is the eighth largest island in Greece and is located in the northern Aegean. The name Lemnos is ancient, already mentioned by Homer. With its own desert and the protected habitats of the Natura 2000 network, Limnos is ready to host the activities of the Mediterranean Researcher Night. The entire scientific community of the University of the Aegean will create a series of events highlighting the research and innovation born on the island and beyond. In addition, “Mind the Lab” activities will be held across the cities and along with beautiful speeches, interactive workshops and unique scientific performances will target citizens, tourists, university and school students to engage them and empower them though science.
This year, Crete will also host the Mediterranean Researcher Night for the first time. The largest and most populous island of Greece, maintaining its own cultural elements as early as 3000 BC, is ready to welcome the public to a fantastic scientific experience. In collaboration with the Technical University of Crete, SciCo will create a program for all ages with the main focus on highlighting the scientific culture on the island. Lab tours, children’s experiments and science cafes are just some of the activities planned for the evening of the 24th September.