Friday, 24 September 2010 has been designated Researchers’ Night by the European Commission. Throughout Europe activities are being organised to show how exciting research can be and that researchers are ordinary people with extraordinary jobs. The target group is the general public, especially young people. Activities include experiments, interactive activities, exhibitions, dialogue with researchers, Science Cafés, science shows, workshops and competitions.

Background
Researchers’ Night was arranged for the first time in 2005 around Europe and in a number of locations in Sweden.

Science Extravaganza in Stockholm
Summary PDF
27 September 2005

In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 the Swedish events were organised under the name ForskarFredag (ResearcherFriday) and were coordinated by VA. Local events were arranged by universities or science centres in nine, eleven and fifteen cities respectively, and attracted a total of 12,000, 10,500, 15,000 and 17,700 visitors respectively.

In 2007, in addition to the local activities VA organised a joint webcast and a children’s drawing competition “Draw yourself as a researcher”. 2008 a photo competition "Portrait of a researcher" and an interactive web activity "Click for the Climate" was developed. In addition to the local activities in 2009 VA organised a poster competition.

ForskarFredag 2010

ForskarFredag/Researchers’ Night is also arranged in 2010, with VA coordinating the Swedish events. The activities will take place in numerous cities throughout Sweden.

ForskarFredag website (Swedish only)