European Researchers' Night 2022

After a one-year break, the next edition of the European Researchers’ Night project will take place on 30 September 2022.

You can look forward to interesting presentations, demonstrations, lectures and meetings with researchers from all over the country. They will present the latest developments from the world of their research fields, comment on current news from the world of science and technology, explain to you the role of science in people’s lives and everyday activities and for the development of humankind, and share with you why they have chosen the field of science as their profession.

The focus of this year’s Night events is the topic of glass – the most universal material in human history, with an essential role in society for technological, scientific and economic progress, as well as climate change and the related urgent and important choices that humankind must make. The highlights are in the context of the United Nations’ proclamation of 2022 as the International Year of Glass and the global European programmes and priorities.

Educational institutions and organizations from more than 25 settlements in Bulgaria will take part in Researchers’ Night 2022. This year, 15 core and 16 associated partners from across the country are participating in the European Researchers’ Night, and they have prepared a special programme of events that will continue for several months. The activities encompass exciting initiatives in schools, competitions, meetings with researchers in research institutes and universities, events in public urban spaces, in museums, laboratories and other educational institutions.

The Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology (CPSBB) opens its doors to all pupils and students who are interested in biology, chemistry, botany or research activities related to plants. The building and greenhouses of the Center are unparalleled in Bulgaria and the region and are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the high-tech research campus, as well as to take an active part in scientific experiments and popular science lectures conducted by researchers and partners of CPSBB.

The programme prepared by the CPSBB team enables students and pupils to choose according to their preferences and to participate in various activities:

16:50 – 17:00 Official opening – Assoc. Prof. Tsanko Gechev, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Vesela Kazashka, PhD

17:00 – 18:00 “DNA in the kitchen” – participation in scientific experiments under the guidance of researchers from the CPSBB team: Chief Assistant Prof. Veselin Petrov, PhD; Dr. Nikola Staykov; Manuela Stoyanova

17:00 – 18:00 Open doors “Young researcher” – participation in scientific experiments under the guidance of researchers from the CPSBB team: Chief Assistant Prof. Petar Boyadzhiev, PhD; Chief Assistant Prof. Veselin Petrov, PhD; Dr. Nikola Staykov

17:00 – 18:00 “The fun side of science” – visit to the CPSBB greenhouses, which are unparalleled in Bulgaria. Pupils will become acquainted with activities from the scientists’ everyday practice and will plant crops. A stand with various vegetables produced by the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute will be set up.

The events are held in parallel and visitors may attend each of them in succession.

All those wishing to immerse themselves in the world of plant science are welcome on 30 September 2022 in the CPSBB building at the following address: Trakia Residential Complex, 14 Sveti Knyaz Boris I – Pokrastitel Blvd. Free admission!

The European Researchers’ Night project – SEARCH is aimed at promoting science, scientific activity and the profession of researcher among the general public, with a particular focus on young people.

SEARCH aims to encourage more young Bulgarians to engage with career opportunities in the field of scientific research.

The initiative for promoting science and its achievements is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme 2021–2027.