Nearly 5,000 people enjoyed science at Plaça Corsini in Tarragona during the European Researchers’ Night, held on 26 and 27 September. The initiative, coordinated by URV with the participation of CERCA research centres in the region, brought together more than 200 researchers in over 50 workshops. Among them, ICIQ had a prominent presence, bringing chemistry and research on sustainability and energy closer to both families and adults.
ICIQ workshops at Plaça Corsini
ICIQ offered two interactive workshops for all audiences:
– Landscape Laboratory: led by Joan Guillem Mayans and coordinated by Laura Hernández Eguía, with the collaboration of a team of young ICIQ researchers: Anna Arnanz, Francesco Calogero, Alejandro Delgado, Alisa Denisiuk, Rebeca Ferrer, Valero Gimeno, Ricardo Hortigón, Guillaume Mollaert, Luis Merchante, Leonardo Pagliano, Marta Romero, Liliana Santamaría and Miguel Sellés. Participants experimented with erupting volcanoes, marine gardens, silver mirrors and quicksand.
– The SUPERVAL Game: coordinated by Marta Llorens Fons and Arnau Jordà, this card game introduced the carbon and nitrogen cycles, showing the impact of human activity on ecosystems and highlighting more sustainable practices.
Micro-talks: research in first person
ICIQ also contributed to the scientific micro-talks held at Racó de la Palma in Reus on 20 September:
– Marta Llorens Fons (Communication Unit) spoke about antibiotic resistance and the European NanoCarbaOne project, which develops new technologies to detect resistant enzymes.
– Sergi Danés (Prof. Lloret-Fillol’s group) presented research on photoelectrocatalytic solar fuels, a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels inspired by natural photosynthesis.
CaixaForum Tarragona: science face to face
European Researchers’ Night activities also reached CaixaForum Tarragona, where ICIQ researchers engaged with the public in innovative formats:
– Speed Dating: João Marcos Gonçalves (Prof. Villa’s group) shared his research in a dynamic setting that encouraged direct interaction and scientific curiosity.
– Late Show – Research on Stage: Anthony Jesús Martínez Bustos (Prof. Villa’s group) delivered the talk “The fantastic voyage with micromotors”, showing how these tiny chemical motors open new avenues in nanotechnology.
Talks in secondary schools
During the week of 22–30 September, secondary schools across the region welcomed researchers. From ICIQ, María Jesús Ramírez (Innovalab Unit) gave the talk “Condensed matter: what happens when atoms get organised” at Campclar High School.
A European collaborative project
The European Researchers’ Night is celebrated simultaneously in more than 460 European cities. In Tarragona, it is coordinated by URV with the participation of CERCA research centres, including ICIQ. This event represents a unique opportunity to bring research closer to society and inspire future generations of scientists.
Through its workshops, talks and activities, ICIQ reaffirms its commitment to outreach and to promoting science as a driver of social transformation.
The scientific workshops conducted during European Researchers Night 2025 at Corsini Square, Reus, CaixaForum i Campclar were promoted in the framework of the actions of the European project ERN-ApuliaMED, HORIZON-MSCA-2023-CITIZENS-01 – GA 101162513
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