European Researchers´ Night in Sweden 2021

Purpose and goal:

During the last week of September 2021-2023, ForskarFredag created engaging meetings between researchers and the public in all of Sweden. The target group was the general public, especially children and young people. The science festival included research from all research areas, the participants also gained knowledge about how research is done and the usefulness of science in society and in our lives.

Since “Borrow a researcher” was organized on a national level, more students were reached. ForskarFredag is coordinated by Public & Science and part of European Researchers´ Night. Expected results and effects:

During 2021-2023, roughly 92,000 people participated in ForskarFredag´s activities, more than half of Sweden´s municipalities were represented in the visitor statistics each year. Almost 500 activities linked to research were offered as part of the science festival, and 623 visits to school has been through “Borrow a researcher”. All in all, around 1,250 researchers have contributed with professional knowledge and commitment.

In 2023, 8 out of 10 visitors stated that they have learned more about research in connection with ForskarFredag. Approach and implementation: Public & Science is the national coordinator of ForskarFredag. The coordination includes marketing, planning, evaluation, networking and coordination meetings with local

organizers and organization of joint activities. Local activities are organized by

universities, science centers, research centers, municipalities, regions, etc. After Covid-19, digital activities have been incorporated as a smaller, but permanent, part of the program as it allows participants who previously had difficulty participating due to great geographical distances to the local events.