European Researchers' Night boosts confidence in the future

The sold-out European Researchers' Night, a science festival for all the curious, provided a rich palette of science last Friday. This year, the programme was organised a bit differently, with activities comfortably spread across four floors Forum Groningen and its rooftop. Covering topics from tinnitus and biodiversity to destructive leaders and data washing, here’s a recap of the multifaceted Night.

Science enables us to move forward as society: with these words, Rector Jacquelien Scherpen opened the European Researchers' Night 2025. She addressed the visitors in the central atrium of Forum Groningen. 'I hope that people will discover the possibilities tonight, that they will provide input to the researchers, and that they will go home smiling, full of confidence in the future.'

From a climate café to science shows, and from pub lectures to an interactive AI map about the latest developments in artificial intelligence: with more than 55 programme items, there was plenty to experience on Friday evening in the sold-out Forum. The literal – and for some, perhaps also figurative – highlight was an astronomy pub quiz on the Forum’s rooftop, where visitors delved into the mysteries of the universe. A few escalators down, a new programme was hosted in the public library, featuring discussions about books on topics such as art and AI, and being queer in care. In addition, those interested could listen to surprising combinations, such as the relationship between art and the energy transition, or the connection between satire, colonialism and the environment.

Across four floors, there were also countless smaller activities, so diverse that there was something to discover in almost every corner of the Forum. One moment, visitors had a piece of their clothing tested for microplastics; a few floors below, they gave their phones a ‘digital wash’, with the lesson that clearing data helps to save a lot of energy. All this while enjoying a drink and musical performances by Groningen DJ Qingting and the band The Lay.

As usual, the main programme took place in the large Rabozaal, including a fascinating lecture by biologist Auke-Florian Hiemstra on bird nests 'as a mirror for humankind'. Earlier that day, he also shared his story with a younger audience during the special high school version of the Night. Next up in the Rabozaal was an interview with Alette Smeulers about destructive leaders – and what we can do about this world's Trumps and Putins. The two other main shows were also not to be missed: covering Afro music and  hormones. In short: something for everyone.

This last observation also applied to the various (smaller) events that took place throughout the floors of the Forum. How about a course in the Groningen dialect – some even call it a language – with Olaf Vos, accompanied by a short lecture by linguist Merel Keijzer? A little further on, visitors were given headphones for a ‘science battle’, in which various scientists were competing for the attention of interested listeners. In addition, workshops, pub lectures and dialogue sessions provided a lively mix of topics, ranging from circular plastics to neuromorphic computers.

‘You miss more than you experience,’ famous writer Martin Bril once wrote. And that is not so bad, he added. That credo also seemed to apply to the European Researchers' Night. The well-attended event confirmed the argument put forward by Rector Jacquelien Scherpen: inspiring researchers showed how science has a lasting, positive influence on our society.

The programme was created by: the four Schools for Science & Society of the University, Studium Generale, University Museum, Young Academy Groningen, Science LinX, Forum Groningen and BKB | Het Campagnebureau.

The European Researchers' Night was co-funded by the European Commission, under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme, grant agreement No.101162172 and Akkoord van Groningen.