INL welcomes over 2,000 visitors at European Researchers’ Night

September 30, 2025

Last Friday, September 26, INL joined thousands of institutions across Europe to celebrate the European Researchers’ Night. Forum Braga once again became a stage where science met the public, with INL playing a central role in the local programme.

This year, INL brought together more than 25 research projects covering fields from physics and chemistry to biology and engineering. Visitors had the chance to see how nanotechnology intersects with everyday life, from sustainable solutions to water pollution, to the hidden beauty of microscopic worlds.

What made the evening truly special was the collective effort of more than 80 INL researchers, who stepped out of the laboratory to engage directly with families, students, and curious citizens. By transforming cutting-edge research into interactive experiments, games, and demonstrations, INL researchers made complex ideas accessible, fun, and inspiring for all ages.

In addition to hands-on activities, the programme combined science with culture. The stage hosted creative performances, live music, and debates that highlighted not only the relevance of research but also its deep connections with society, art, and creativity.

Adding to the significance of the evening, Portugal’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Professor Fernando Alexandre, visited the event, meeting INL researchers and experiencing first-hand INL’s activities. His presence underscored the importance of fostering dialogue between institutions, policymakers, and citizens to strengthen scientific culture and innovation.

By the end of the night, Braga had welcomed more than two thousand visitors into a space where discovery was not just explained, but experienced. As part of the broader European initiative, the event reaffirmed the mission of the European Researchers’ Night: to bring citizens closer to science, and science closer to citizens.